Thread: Finish hone after flattening?

I think he just got his terminology wrong there - I believe he meant to say that it was 50% more expensive than the regular diamond plate. (DiaSharp, is it?)

the regular 3x8 diamond plates are 56$ on that site and the diaflat 95 3x8 is 134$, thats over twice as expensive.

Originally Posted by jigane

the regular 3x8 diamond plates are 56$ on that site and the diaflat 95 3x8 is 134$, thats over twice as expensive.

Apples and oranges are not the same thing either so there isn't much point in comparing their prices.
The Dia-Flat is a lapping plate made for that purpose. The "regular" diamond plates are not.

Yeah I know but the regular ones seems to work pretty well too.

Yes, the Dia-Sharp works well, for some tasks, but it is not the same tool as the Dia-Flat, so there is a justification for the price difference. Just as you can dig a hole with a spoon, a shovel works much faster.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Yes, the Dia-Sharp works well, for some tasks, but it is not the same tool as the Dia-Flat, so there is a justification for the price difference. Just as you can dig a hole with a spoon, a shovel works much faster.

I've worn out my DMT 325 in two months and still have plenty of Norton 4/8k left. I'm really hesitant to run out and replace it. I have followed all the forum recommendations on using it. How much tougher is the Dia-Flat compared to the Dia-Sharp? Has your experience with both given you any feel for durability comparisons? I have had probems with imbeded grit using sandpaper on marble so I'd like to stick with some other solution, but I'm quite gun shy on buying a second DMT 325.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Apples and oranges are not the same thing either so there isn't much point in comparing their prices.
The Dia-Flat is a lapping plate made for that purpose. The "regular" diamond plates are not.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Yes, the Dia-Sharp works well, for some tasks, but it is not the same tool as the Dia-Flat, so there is a justification for the price difference. Just as you can dig a hole with a spoon, a shovel works much faster.

+1

Well put. The DMT Dia-Flat is precision ground to .0005" tolerance. The other is not precison ground within a set tolerance. also the larger area to be manufactured and still be flat, if one is twice as large, it is not a linear twice as much work, rather it is squared exponent law. It is significantly more work.

Lastly, and this is the biggest difference- the coating or diamond matrix is substantially more robust and thicker on the dia-flat than on one of their hones- it is with the intended use that these extra manufacturing efforts and costs come into play.

Apples and oranges exactly. Names or look aren't the only requirement for equitable comparison. I think it's funny when people try to compare things as equal. Like one Nakyama kiita to another. as if the name is were the value comes from. It would make me think that all used cars of a model and age are the same price. It really comes down to cost and and an objects quality at excelling at its end use.

I also wouldn't put a dia flat on a norton 4k. It's quality an price does not justify the quality and cost of the other. An atoma is my go to lapping plate, I don't have a fetish or need for super flat to get the best edges. Being perfect flat is over rated, what this thread deals with- refreshing/preparing a lapped surface is infinitelymore important than super flat. Smooth and level over coarse and perfectly flat- this will effect your edges most. Use an atoma #1200 to refresh the honing surface after lapping and forget the rest. Also the shapton glass 3k is a way better razor stone than a norton 4k.

Originally Posted by jnats

I also wouldn't put a dia flat on a norton 4k. It's quality an price does not justify the quality and cost of the other. An atoma is my go to lapping plate, I don't have a fetish or need for super flat to get the best edges. Being perfect flat is over rated, what this thread deals with- refreshing/preparing a lapped surface is infinitelymore important than super flat. Smooth and level over coarse and perfectly flat- this will effect your edges most. Use an atoma #1200 to refresh the honing surface after lapping and forget the rest. Also the shapton glass 3k is a way better razor stone than a norton 4k.

Thank you. I'm totally frustrated with my Norton 4/8k, and totally confused about a way out. I realize though it means another outlay of cash. I have the Shapton Pro 1k which is a very nice cutter, but seems to lose its cutting power quickly requiring regular refreshes. I also have the Shapton Pro 15K which I don't like very much. I've had all kinds of problems with my well water and softener interacting with the stones. I've resorted to buying water from the store to solve those issues. So there you have it, my total ignorance on display after what I thought was a smart start. In spite of that, I've put some nice shaving edges on two razors, most likely by chance. I have a real mess to my homing start, I'm totally frustrated, and lost about my next move.

Originally Posted by bozam

Thank you. I'm totally frustrated with my Norton 4/8k, and totally confused about a way out. I realize though it means another outlay of cash. I have the Shapton Pro 1k which is a very nice cutter, but seems to lose its cutting power quickly requiring regular refreshes. I also have the Shapton Pro 15K which I don't like very much. I've had all kinds of problems with my well water and softener interacting with the stones. I've resorted to buying water from the store to solve those issues. So there you have it, my total ignorance on display after what I thought was a smart start. In spite of that, I've put some nice shaving edges on two razors, most likely by chance. I have a real mess to my homing start, I'm totally frustrated, and lost about my next move.

Don't worry. That's science. Move forward and get the results. It is not of much help that many in online forums reccomend the Norton 4k/8k. The 8k is a fine stone, but the 4k is not a dependable razor stone. Shapton glass 3k is a great stone, you are smart to use bottled water- that was good, so don't beat yourself up.

I can't say enough good things for the shapton glass 3k and 6k. Those 2 are its finest achievements in my opinion. They should serve you very well. The 3k cuts like a good kiita. A very clean stone as well. I don't use synthetics in the 15k range- they are all rubbish imho.