Quote Originally Posted by Howard View Post
Big question! If you're really intent on keeping your blade sharp as opposed to letting it get dull and then resharpening it, choose a finishing stone like a belgian coticule. The DMT 8000 will sharpen quickly but the resulting edge isn't face friendly. A DMT8000 is different from a Norton 8000 or Belgian coticule (8000). The results show up on your face.
+1 in my experience. I have used the DMT8000 in a progression with tough S-30V and ATS-34 steels but always went on to a higher grit finisher and with those particular steels diamond paste. Other than that I've not found a need for that plate. Also IME a coticule with slurry can be used as a bevel setter but it is slow going unless you have an exceptional stone. I prefer to use a 1k naniwa and go on from there with whatever I decide to use. An edge finished on a coticule with water only is a very smooth and comfortable one in my experience if it is properly set and sharpened through the progression. Like any other stone, setting the bevel properly and adequate sharpening are the prerequisite for finishing. Just IMHO.