Thread: DMT D8EE Advice

I use my DMTs wet to keep the ground steel/swarf moving around and easy to wipe off.

DMT recommends using a soap and water mixture, but I just use water. Makes everything go a bit smoother, and it seems like the water "suctions" the blade to the hone, giving very consistent pressure. Soap would just be an added lubricant, but I'll give it a shot for next time since I've never tried it.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

... in approx. 50 strokes (mind you this is straight from the factory, and the cutting power may decline a bit with use). But, most importantly, it didn't destroy the edge that was already in good condition; I think the aggressive diamond tooth may have reduced the potential for a wire edge by really abrading everything off that isn't the main piece of steel.

This is good to know. My limited experience has been similar. Before getting a 6 x 2 DMT 1200 (after reading most of Heavyduty's posts on the importance of initial bevel setting - I have to say this has got to be the best $20 I have spent!), I had started on a few slightly dull razors with only the D8EE. While capable of doing so, it also wore off more of the spine than I'd like in the process. I may be wrong, but I think the 1200 preferencially cuts the softer, thinner edge faster and I get a great bevel with much fewer strokes and much less spine wear.

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

The drawback that I experienced with the D8EE is that there really is no "easing up" on the abrasion, every stroke cuts as fast as every other no matter how much water/soap there is or isn't on the hone. ...But if you're going to use a finishing stone, as I do, this is not a problem.

Thanks. This pretty much answers my question. I don't mind the less finished edge, since I finish on a Spyderco UF most of the time.

I'm glad that I could clear that up for you, but I can not concur that the 1200 is easier on the spine than the 8000. If your strokes are consistent, and the same amount of material is removed from the edges in question, both stones will wear the respective spine an equal amount. It's just the nature of the abrasion process, everything that touches the grit is abraded at a rate proportional to it's surface area in contact.

Most, if not all, razors are hardened through and through, and if anything, softer on the spine than at the edge (which is desireable, as harder steel yields a finer edge).

But if your worried about spine wear you can always tape it and proceed as per usual.

Just got my DMTs yesterday. I've had a bit to try them out, and have gotten 2 razors pretty well on them.

One thing I noticed is that the D8F sets a bevel wicked fast, but doesn't pop arm hairs right off the hone that great. Moving to the D8EE for a few strokes cleans up the edge enough to get it really keen.

I kind of like this combination so far, previously I had been just using pastes, so it did take me a bit of practice, but previously I have honed many knives and tools on hones, so I have the basics pretty well down, it's just applying it to razors now for me.

Right now I'm still finishing on my pastes, but I'm thinking of getting 1-2 hones as finishers now. Even if pastes are more effective, I'm liking the edge I get off the hones. And they are plain more fun.

To anyone reading and thinking about getting the D8EE, I'd say go for it, but unfortunately I don't have a norton to compare it to, so no help there. The main draw for these hones for me was that they didn't need to be lapped.

Originally Posted by Droshi

Just got my DMTs yesterday. I've had a bit to try them out, and have gotten 2 razors pretty well on them.

One thing I noticed is that the D8F sets a bevel wicked fast, but doesn't pop arm hairs right off the hone that great. Moving to the D8EE for a few strokes cleans up the edge enough to get it really keen.

I kind of like this combination so far, previously I had been just using pastes, so it did take me a bit of practice, but previously I have honed many knives and tools on hones, so I have the basics pretty well down, it's just applying it to razors now for me.

Right now I'm still finishing on my pastes, but I'm thinking of getting 1-2 hones as finishers now. Even if pastes are more effective, I'm liking the edge I get off the hones. And they are plain more fun.

To anyone reading and thinking about getting the D8EE, I'd say go for it, but unfortunately I don't have a norton to compare it to, so no help there. The main draw for these hones for me was that they didn't need to be lapped.

I have the DMT 8EE and after I am done with that I go to a pasted strop 1.0,0.5, and 0.25 micron to finish the edge. I can get the blade sharp enough to not just cut the hair on the edge but if I wish I can make the hair fold over the edge. Wicked shaves. Some people do no like the diamond edge and go to Chromium. I am in the process of getting a balsa strop made to try the Chromium strop.

Take Care,
Richard