OK. Diamond Plates aren't new. They've been around since the 70's to take words from DMT and Eze-Lap.
The two American companies that seem to be neck and neck with each other for the north American market. Not a big fan of Atomas, not that I've tried them, just no interest.
I also don't care for the no name ebay diamond plates. No way I'd put my razors on those.
So I am getting an Eze Lap SF/F 8x3 for Christmas. This is the exact same as the DMT E/F. The plate is 1200/600 for those of you that don't know or want to look it up.. I chose the eze lap because I've heard it's better for steels then the DMT but less good for lapping. Not a huge issue I just wanted to try something new. The eze lap looks more appealing to me. I digress.
I have been looking for a diamond plate for multiple reasons. I've got a Dia-Flat for lapping but I wanted something a bit finer to lap my coticule when needed. I also wanted a stone to quickly set bevels on that didn't require constant flattening. My king seems to dish a ton so I'd rather set a bevel on a diamond plate.. especially when you've got to lap a stone in the middle of setting a bevel... that drives me nuts.
Here's where the issue comes in. The diamonds cut deeply and therefore leave scratches in the bevel that take extra work on subsequent hones to alleviate. Hmm.. now that statement is open to a lot of interpretation.
How much extra work are we talking? I only hone for me and occasionally a friend of mine and I don't set bevels that often but when I do its usually on a train wreck razor.
If followed by a coticule with slurry or bb with thick slurry are the "deep scratches" from a 1200 going to be easily taken care of in a reasonable amount of time? A few extra minutes don't mean all that much to me as I'm using a slower method of honing to begin with and not honing 30 razors a day.
I already have it coming my so advising me to get a chosera or shapton glass or norton is futile. I don't know what it is but I really dislike Japanese hones. .
Thanks in advance..
SS