Thread: Shapton GDLP vs DMT 8C

Since there has been a lot of talking about Shapton's lately I've gotten curious about the GDLP. Is there any reason getting a GDLP over the DMT 8C for lapping purposes, and does the GDLP work with natural stones?

Originally Posted by bjorn

Since there has been a lot of talking about Shapton's lately I've gotten curious about the GDLP. Is there any reason getting a GDLP over the DMT 8C for lapping purposes, and does the GDLP work with natural stones?

I had been using the D8C for my Nortons and my Shapton 12 and 15K Pros. Got the GDLP last week and lapped my Shaptons just now. Cuts very fast and efficiently. The greatest difference is that there is no stiction with the GDLP. I had that with the 8C and remedied it by lapping in the kitchen sink with a trickle of water running. The GDLP is according to Craftsman's Studio suitable for lapping stones from 500 to 30,000 grit. Whether it is worth the considerable cost increase over the 8C is up to the individual but it seems to work very well.

I do not have a Shapton DGLP, but I have heard that they are more efficient
and rated to be flatter than the DMT D8C. The price difference is considerable,
but not surprising due to the construction of the lapping plate.

- Scott

Thanks guys,

I can live with the stiction of the DMT and I guess the difference in flatness of the two isen't that big deal, as I guess hone flatness isen't the biggest issue in my honing. So maybe I'll just kick this down my nice to have list.

Some might be surprised at what I'm about to say given I have most Shapton ceramic stones and also have the GDLP. I also owned the D8C for some time and used that quite a bit to lap, so I guess I'm qualified.

Even though I like the Shapton stones a ton, and really like my GDLP, for the average person with average lapping needs............stick with or buy the D8C. Why?

• It costs a ton less than the GDLP and does the trick. The D8C laps very well aside from stiction that makes for sticky lapping.
• For a person that does not have HAD and has only a small number of stones, the GDLP would be overkill and costly.

Do I regret buying my GDLP? Not a bit. It's awesome as a lapper.

Is it worth the $280? It depends on who you are:

Casual user who intends on only buying a handful of stones? The GDLP is not worth the money. The DMT D8C will more than serve you well at a low cost.

HADdict who wants the best and flattest diamond lapping plate in the world for under $300? Yep, the siren song of the GDLP will get you like it got me.

Finally, even though the GDLP and the D8C are rated on paper at a similar grit level, I find the GDLP to be less aggressive after being thoroughly broken in. I apply no pressure to the stones when lapping and some stones on the GDLP can therefore take a long long long time. I have a 6"x2" no name brand diamond plate that I've had approx 10 years. It's probably 120 grit or at the most 200 something. It's coarse. I've done initial heavy removal on stones that need it with that thing using pressure and then I move to the GDLP for flatness. I think of the GDLP as a fine instrument rather than a blunt ferocious snarling work horse.

Chris L

Thanks Chris,

A very good post, since I would fit into the casual user category, and trying hard to stay away from HAD, you gave me the answer I needed to keep the DMT. Guess it saved me some money

I am tempted to try out Atoma.
So (www.japan-tool.com) uses these exclusively on his japanese naturals.
They are supposed to be as flat as the dglp, while costing a lot less.

I haven't tried the Shapton plate. Lynn has one and swears by it. Maybe he'll come along and elaborate... But he says he can tell a big difference over the Norton flattening stone, and possibly over the DMT as well. When you do 50 razors a week, I guess you get a feel for a few microns' difference in flatness.

Josh

Originally Posted by Bruno

I am tempted to try out Atoma.
So (www.japan-tool.com) uses these exclusively on his japanese naturals.
They are supposed to be as flat as the dglp, while costing a lot less.

Bruno,

I notice there are four grits of the Atoma Diamond Sharpeners:

140, 400, 600, and 1200

I would guess the 400 for the natural stones?

These look interesting and are highly recommended - just a little over $100.00.

Steve

I think he uses the 600 or the 1200. Actually I thought it was 800 but if that one doesn't exist, I am probably wrong. Or maybe it is not listed on his site.

anyway, he uses higher than 400.
Whenever he uses a natural stone, he uses the atoma to raise the slurry. And that way the stones always keep flat without any extra effort.

According to him, they are in the same flatness range as the shapton, but at a substantially lower price.