Thread: 8000 DMT or Norton 4000/8000?

I'm hesitant to advocate it sometimes because you could remove a lot more metal than you want to pretty easily.

On the other hand, there really is no such thing as overhoning with the DMT's, I mean they don't form a burr the same way the norton does, and it seems like that is one of the main problems new guys have when learning to hone. So one could make the point that there may be more advice circulating for the norton, but with the DMT's you're less likely to run into some of the common problems that would be solved by that advice (overhoning, lapping, when to step up in grit, how many aggressive/conservative pyramids to use, whether backhoning is necessary and, if so, how much, etc).

With the D8EE you just keep making passes until the edge stops getting sharper and then just move on to your polishing stage. (as a matter of fact, the Coticule performs the same way. The D8EE and Coticule get my full support over the norton, hands down.)


p.s. Craig, so you have one of those Jabberwocky-tough beards too, huh. (I should be getting started on the Vorpal blade you designed pretty soon. I can't wait, great design!)

Yes, my whiskers gyre and gimble in the wabe.

I prefer the DMT D8EE over the Norton4k/8k. Either one will work. I like the DMT's cutting speed and "feel" while sharpening.

Mostly a personal preference sort of thing. (I've been carrying a small DMT in my back pocket for over 20 years, so I have a prejudiced opinion )