Thread: DMT Dia-sharp D8EE Extra-Extra Fine 8000 "Stone". Your thoughts?

I am presently considering a DMT D8EE for razor sharpening, in particular, Stainless Steel razors. I'm thinking this would be a great hone. Never needs to be flattened, and if used correctly, will likely outlast me. After reading up on it, it seems to have many +'s over other stones.

I'm hoping someone with experience with this new stone would like to share their thoughts on here. That is, before I go ahead and order one up from Howard.

Thanks guys!

I've heard one account of the plating that holds the diamons in place peeling off. Again this is just what I heard on another forum.

My only concern would be How flat is it really? Just because you don't need to flatten it doesn't meen it's flat to start with. I'd love to see one to check it out.

If you looking to buy it specifically for stainless that is really unnecessary. Any hone will do just fine.

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

I've heard one account of the plating that holds the diamons in place peeling off. Again this is just what I heard on another forum.

My only concern would be How flat is it really? Just because you don't need to flatten it doesn't meen it's flat to start with. I'd love to see one to check it out.

According to the DMT site, the Dia-sharp line are flat to within plus/minus .001" I'm pretty sure I could do no better flattening my Nortons on my marble slab with wet/dry paper. IIRC, I believe a lot of people trust DMT's to flatten their own stones like coticules etc.

Decisions decisions... The new DMT? A Coticule? Stick with the Norton's and keep flattening then 'till nothing remains? I gotta give my brain a rest...

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If you looking to buy it specifically for stainless that is really unnecessary. Any hone will do just fine.

That is true. But, I like the advantages the DMT offers. Always flat, long lasting, no soaking, just a spritz of water with a little dish soap. No loading, no glazing, etc. I would never dream of using a DMT on a razor up until now with their newest offering. 8000 grit, flat, last a long, long time, no imperfections that can occur in natural stones, close in price to a yellow Coticule.

Gawd! I just don't know.
Where's Howard? HOWARD! Where are you?

Oh it will load up in a different way But as long as the water is moving well across the plate you will be fine Using my D8XX to thin a chopping cleavers secondary bevels a bit I found I was sliding across the plate after a few strokes. Turns out I was removing so much metal that it was like sand ontop of the plate. My cleaver was just sliding along it's own removed metal HAHA

the coticule will probably give a smoother edge. plus i believe howard laps his stones , so how hard is it to give a quick lap here and there to maintain the flatness. On Howards site it says "We recommend the DMT® stones for sharpening anything but straight razors." but who knows if tha applies to the D8EE. I'm more of a play-it-safe-with-tried-tested-true-products kinda guy though

Straight,

I'm a big fan of DMT hones, which don't get a lot of respect around these parts. I haven't tried the 8K DMT, but I think I would still want to use a coticule to finish the edge afterward. The DMT hones cut quickly, and I suspect that this hone will leave a very sharp but slightly harsh edge.

Quick-cutting hones have jagged particles that cut deep grooves into the edge. Slower hones, like the coticule, have more rounded particles that leave shallower grooves. Shallower grooves = more comfort, in my book.

I would guess that the 8K DMT edge might feel more like a 6K edge because of the harshness.

By now you probably realize I'm pretty biased toward the coticule, though.

Anyone else out there with actual experience instead of conjecture?

Josh

I have one of these from Howard (as well as coticules etc-but no Norton, I broke that)
Verdict? I love it.
I'm just as happy with the edge off of it as I am off 8k Norton, and as a bonus it is extremely extremely flat. I lap my other hones on IT.
This thing is sturdy, if people are saying the abrasive i peeling off, this is NOT the hone they are talking about.
A top notch hone, IMHO
John P

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Straight,

I'm a big fan of DMT hones, which don't get a lot of respect around these parts. I haven't tried the 8K DMT, but I think I would still want to use a coticule to finish the edge afterward. The DMT hones cut quickly, and I suspect that this hone will leave a very sharp but slightly harsh edge.

Josh

My thoughts too. I wonder the same thing. Will the edge be smooth or harsh? One would think with a stone as fine as this DMT 8000, the edge would be very smooth with scratches no deeper than that of any other hone in this grit range. But, I have very limited, if any, true experience with hones this fine.

Sounds like JohnP likes them... a lot! I might have to just jump in and try one. If I do, I'll post plenty of feed-back on this forum.

Also, I'm thinking of a super fine finishing hone to finish with. Something like that Chinese 12k or so that Tim Zowada was comparing to the Coticule.

Take care and thanks for sharing your opinions all. As always, great info on this board!