Thread: DMT extra extra fine 3 micron diamonds

Does anyone have any experience with this? I was just reading about it and it says that it equals an 8000 grit stone.
Sounds interesting enough to try. Anyone??

I have one and I have never used it. So why did I buy it? Who knows, but I am confused as to what to use it for.

Steve

You know how we always say sharp is easy but smooth is a diffrent thing??
This plate does sharp, and it does it rather easily, the problem for most people is they find this version of sharp, a bit harsh to shave with...

Any benefit to using one? Would it more quickly/reliably gave you an 8k "sharp" that you could then smooth with a natural finisher?

I use a DMT XF (1200 grit) followed by the DMT XXF (~ 6000 grit, not 8000, despite what they say). These hones start rough, and it will take some time to get them smoothed down initially. I use these two hones in a pyramid scheme. Good for setting and polishing a bevel.

You can finish with the DMT XXF and a high grit waterstone or barber stone in a pyramid scheme. Or pasted strops. Or two waterstones.

In my experience, the DMT hones develop the edge faster than waterstones, and are easier to use.

Originally Posted by northpaw

Any benefit to using one? Would it more quickly/reliably gave you an 8k "sharp" that you could then smooth with a natural finisher?

I am not quite sure how to answer that,, I find that the 120-220-325 DMT plates are some of the most reliable things made for lapping various Stones/Hones... The 325 serves double duty as a restoration plate too...
The 600 or 1200 could be pressed into service as bevel setters, and on probably 75-80% of the razors out there, do a fine job, but that last 20-25% are going to be a bit chippy...

As to speed and reliability questions,

Reliability: I know that when I talk to any of the guys that do a lot of razors we all consider the 90% mark as the minimum requirement for hitting the mark on any system...That means if we hone 10 razors no more than one of those razors needs more tweaking because it failed the shave test... Myself even that is not such a good system I wouldn't accept re-honing 1/10 razors... So at well below the 90% mark the DMT's would not help me out they would slow me down...

Speed: For actual honing speed they are hard to beat, you can rip bevels into the steel very fast, in fact so fast that you might be taking a bit more steel off then needed...Myself I believe in sneaking up on the edge, even today after honing thousands of razors that is still the thought that goes through my brain every time I start on each hone...So no, any of the over 325 grit DMTs I would consider them a bit too much of a good thing...

I wish I knew how to do those cool graphics and I could more easily explain this.. The diamonds cut deep, so you have a ton more work to get those gouges evened back up...

So far IME the fastest most reliable systems are the Naniwa, Shapton or Nortons, from 1k up, either using the complete sets, or partial sets followed by your favorite natural finisher...

Keep in mind that speed and reliability are more issues for us that hone a ton of razors for other people, but that was the question...I guess the real answer will come as more Honemeisters answer this, but honestly I can't think of any that use the DMT's much higher than the 325 and none that go higher than the 1200, maybe somebody does we'll see...


Disclaimer: I like DMT they are a great company and I am sure that somebody can get the 8k to hit on some razors by messing with it enough, but that wasn't really the question...

I saw a thread in which the DMT UF was substituted for a Norton or Nani, saying it was so much faster. That's what I bought. My results were mixed, and no where near 90% success - I was (and am) still learning. I was advised that the dmt was likely the weak link in the chain, so I tried the Naniwa. I'm very pleased with the result.

That said, I sometimes still use the dmt 325 & 8k in some situations. I try not to pick up blades that need chips removed, but on some older, neglected blades, the pitting in or near the bevel means that as you set a bevel, new chips appear. I'll use the 325 (with taped spine) to get to fresh steel before going to norton 1k. After 1k, I'll often go directly to the dmt8k if deep scratches remain from the 325. The 8k cuts fast, but leaves scratches of it's own. A few strokes w/ the 8k and I switch to the naniwa to smooth it out, dropping back to Norton 4k if a pyramid is necessary. Finishing the 8k on the nani has eliminated remaining deep scratches from the DMT8k. The humble c12k simply couldn't remove the dmt scratches.

On a couple of really abrasion resistant stainless steel razors I've had good luck with getting an edge I could take to finer hones. I've never shaved off of the DMT "8000" and I don't believe that is an accurate estimate or the grit for whatever that is worth .... .... I have read guys estimate it as equivalent to a 4k or a 6k but I don't know myself. It is another arrow in the quiver and good to have for some of the tougher jobs IME. YMMV.