Thread: What to get for Flattening - Granite + Sandpaper or DMTd8c

I'm trying to determine what I would like to get to flatten my stones: A certified Granite and use Wet/Dry paper or a DMTd8c. I will probably at some time get both but for now I just want to get what I would end up liking best for now. I have mostly synthetic (more shapton glass than any) in my progression. I know that this is probably more of preference but what are some of the pro's and con's of each.

Unless I end up doing a restore from a blade with a totally square bevel in the near future, I really don't need any slurry on my Norton 4/8 or chosera 1k at this moment.

Get the DMT,,,,,,,,,,,,

+1 on the DMT, I tried several other lapping stones/plates but went with what most people on here recommend and find it easy to use and fast

Sandpaper or Grit can and will embed into the softer waterstones, the first time you are at the 8k level and smack one and have to start over taking out the dinger will be the same time you smack yourself in the forehead and say "I could have bought a Diamond Plate"

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Sandpaper or Grit can and will embed into the softer waterstones, the first time you are at the 8k level and smack one and have to start over taking out the dinger will be the same time you smack yourself in the forehead and say "I could have bought a Diamond Plate"

Thanks Glen, that makes a ton of sense

Is there any reason, even beyond honing razors, where flatness beyond the d8c would even be necessary?

Does anyone use anything finer than the d8c? I hear a lot of people using it, but is there a reason why that is the plate of choice ?

Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

Does anyone use anything finer than the d8c? I hear a lot of people using it, but is there a reason why that is the plate of choice ?

DMT used to advise nothing finer than the DMTC for waterstones due to wear issues on the finer plates. Now they just recommend their 120grit lapping plate.
The Atoma 600 &1200 can be used safely having a different type of surface but if your DMT is flat & you have arms like Popeye it's all you'll need.

Well, I just picked up at my local knife store the DMT d8c and after checking for flatness taking an old screw driver across it, WOW, what a world of difference compared to what I had previously, which was the Norton Flattening Stone. When I started with the DMT, it was noticed that all my stones still were not flat even though I used the Norton on them and of course some of my new shapton glasses I recently purchased that I was waiting to get the DMT for, because a was afraid to put the Norton on them to scratch them up. I think I'm going to be very happy with the DMT