DMT Durosharp X-coarse/coasrse or coarse/fine

[superbleu]

I am thinking of getting either the x-coarse/coarse or coarse/fine DMT Durosharp stones for lapping my hones.

My hones consist of Norton 220/1K, 4K/8K combo stones, Belgian blue, Coticule, Naniwa 12K and a couple other finishing stones.

Which would be more useful? I am leaning towards the coarse/fine comb but wanted to see what others thought.

[khaos]

From what it looks like either will be fine I bet. Word of caution... barber's hones and other hard rocks will beg for the X-Coarse, or even a XXC. Lapping on 325 seems unfathomable. If it were me I'd go XC/C, then wrap a piece of sandpaper around it for further grits. Once its flat its flat, smoothing will go quickly. However, it looks like you just have softer ones so... 325 should do you well and the 600 will be a nice finish. Another word of caution, people report diamonds ripping out of the finer hones, so... dunno if I would trust that.

[Leighton]

I personally did not buy the F/C combo because the stones eat into the extra fine and I am afraid of the stones doing the same to the Fine grit. Not willing to sacrifice my 6x2 diasharp stone either. Being a poor law student and all.

[JimmyHAD]

I have had good performance out of the 325 for over a year and it still works as well as ever. I also have an XX and it is a bad mama jama. No barber hone will stand up to it. Whatever you get IME it is best used in the sink with the tap running on the work.

[khaos]

I would advise to get the X/C combo.... the C will serve you forever, like Jimmy says, but when you need that extra gear you'll be able to downshift and power through those barber hones. Or at least limp a little faster. lol.

[superbleu]

Leighton thanks for suggesting these Duosharp stones to me and thank you Jimmy and Khaos for offering your opinions.

Looks like I will get the Xcoarse/coarse combo. The XC will come in handy with a chinese waterstone that has been giving me a lot of grief.

[khaos]

Let me add a disclaimer, I've never used a DMT. I'm just saying, 300ish grit is pretty good for most rocks, but trust me, you're gonna want somethign rougher, either for cheap stones you want done fast, or for stones that will eat other things (I'm pretty sure that Swatys and Carborundum hones are synthetic "corundum" or at least very similar, and on the Moh's scale corundum is a 9, with diamond at 10.)

[Kingfish]

Let me stick to your question and highly recommend the X and the C if it is for lapping. I have all of the DMT grits and use even the XX as well. The secret to using the XX or the X when lapping is light, even pressure and lot of running water. You would think that even the XX would rip the heck out of say a 8000 norton stone but you can control the scratch depth in a large way by applying very light pressure. To be honest I rarely lap with the C DMT anymore. The X and XX if used properly are the right tool for lapping most stones IF USED PROPERLY. The C is good to but lots and lots of water.
Mike

[superbleu]

Let me add a disclaimer, I've never used a DMT. I'm just saying, 300ish grit is pretty good for most rocks, but trust me, you're gonna want somethign rougher, either for cheap stones you want done fast, or for stones that will eat other things (I'm pretty sure that Swatys and Carborundum hones are synthetic "corundum" or at least very similar, and on the Moh's scale corundum is a 9, with diamond at 10.)

I do have a norton flattening stone. I got this used and it was definitely not flat when I got it, in fact I am still not 100% sure it's flat now, but my arms got tired of trying to lap it completely flat. first on a cinder block then 80 grit sand paper.

I wanted something that started out flat and would stay flat so I thought the Duosharp stones would do the trick.