Need Coarse DMT Recommendation

I have the DMT Fine, Extra-Fine, and Extra-Extra-Fine 3"x8" plates, and (I'd like to think) I've learned how to use them. Still, sometimes the 600-grit Fine just isn't coarse enough to do the job, so I've decided to purchase either the 325-grit Coarse, or the 220-grit Extra-Coarse.

Since I don't own any hones (OK, I've got a Spyderco UF in 3"x8") which require lapping, I wonder if the 220-grit Extra-Coarse is what I need for fast bevel-setting. I'm more inclined to think I should buy the 325-grit Coarse plate, but if I knew, I wouldn't be posting here, eh?

Suggestions? Advice? Wisdom? TIA!

I have the 325 grit and thats easily enough to do fast bevel setting work on a razor.

To be honest, I only really use the 325 for edge repairs or if I'm setting the bevel on a heavy wedge thats totally dull. Other than that I'll tend to stick to the 1k stone.

My thinking with honing razors has always been to start with a higher grit and only move down the grits if you need to.

a dmt should be more than enough for bevel setting.

A dmt 325 is good for lapping and heavy duty "restoration honing", see glens article on the wiki on honing an ebay special.

the 220 dmt is good for lapping just about anything, but I dont know about using it on a razor.

Hi,

+ 1 on the 8" 325 DMT Continuous; a fine hone :)

Have fun !

regards

Russ

I've rarely used the C-325 for razors. I have used the 600 a bit and unless I was removing a frown or a large chip I wouldn't go to a coarser diamond plate.

Thanks for the recommendations! I just "pulled the trigger" on a DMT 325-grit "Coarse" hone, from Craftsman Studio.

A word of caution on using the 325 DMT, I fried my hand in an effort to quickly set a new bevel on a razor, and not a wedge either. Those vibrations really do a number on the sensory neurons. Of course, with a wedge it may be different...

First, a disclaimer: I know bupkis about hones & honing, other than my own recent foray into the this area. Having said that, I recently bought a DMT 325 as a lapping plate for my 5k, 8k, & 12k Naniwas, and have been very happy with its performance in that area. I have also started working on an ERN 4820 that has a slight frown and a small chip in the middle of the blade. Since I don't own a 1k yet, I decided to use the 325 to work out these problems. It's my first attempt at trying to repair an edge, so I've been taking it slow, but I seem to be getting good results thus far.

I hope you enjoy your new 325!

Cheers,

Larry

Larry, in case you hadn't read it ..... DMT recommends a drop or two of dish soap in the water on the plate when honing steel. Smooths out the stroke nicely IME.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Larry, in case you hadn't read it ..... DMT recommends a drop or two of dish soap in the water on the plate when honing steel. Smooths out the stroke nicely IME.

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Thanks for the great tip, Jimmy! I'll put it to the test this weekend.

Larry

Personally, I can't imagine going lower with a DMT than the DMT 1k. Below that, I prefer the Choseras or the Norton 220, because the DMT's are so aggressive. Then again, I usually skip over razors with chips and/or frowns because I'd rather not spend the time on them/put that much wear onto razors. I just don't see a point with so many other razors out there.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

... I usually skip over razors with chips and/or frowns because I'd rather not spend the time on them/put that much wear onto razors. I just don't see a point with so many other razors out there.

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I hear ya, Dylan. Normally, I would have passed over the ERN, but it came in a lot of several I bought for a low price. I figured that I'd use it as a guinea pig/training razor to learn on. That way if I screw it up, it's no real loss. If I hit a home run and do it right, then I've got a nice shaver. We'll see how I do...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Personally, I can't imagine going lower with a DMT than the DMT 1k. Below that, I prefer the Choseras or the Norton 220, because the DMT's are so aggressive. Then again, I usually skip over razors with chips and/or frowns because I'd rather not spend the time on them/put that much wear onto razors. I just don't see a point with so many other razors out there.

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Yeah + 1. Early on I got a 9/8 Joseph Rogers with a large chip and that one was worth messing with. I went for a Hermes with a frown because I wanted a Hermes. A royal PITA. I learned a lot about hoing a frown out but I also learned not to buy razors with a frown in the future. :)

May I suggest that you forget about lapping the Spyderco. It is not necessary. Just "break in" the hone properly and it will function just fine.
I just went thru this with a new guy this afternoon, AxelH, .

BTW, the Spyderco's work much faster when a slurry from either a Nagura stone or diamond spray is used.

Instead of using a 325 DMT for restoring a very bad edge I use wet/dry sandpaper. It is very fast. This afternoon I ripped a new edge on a vintage razor with a bunch of small nicks in about 5-10 minutes using 325 grit Gatorgrit sandpaper. It leaves a much nicer edge that the DMT.

Just my $.02,:)