Thread: Could I use a DMT8E (1200 grit) for flattening?

I was looking to buy a DMT8E (1200 grit) and Norton 4/8 combo. Do you think the DMT8E would be adequate to flatten the Norton or would I need a lower grit?

No, the 1200 is too fine and loads up almost immediately. Get the DMT Coarse stone, put it in the kitchen sink and adjust a stream of water over it to wash away the swarf as it forms. I do this about 20x each week and have been using the same DMT 8x3 Coarse continuous diamond stone for the last five years.

My problem is that I don't want to take forever creating a bevel and getting a nick out of a blade with the Norton. Is the DMT 8C too coarse for creating bevels and fixing nicks?

Originally Posted by mziter

My problem is that I don't want to take forever creating a bevel and getting a nick out of a blade with the Norton. Is the DMT 8C too coarse for creating bevels and fixing nicks?

Yes the C is to coarse for razors.

For that you do want the E.

Yes, the C is way too coarse. If you use it for setting bevels, you'll have to hone / polish a lot to get rid of the scratch lines.
For setting bevels I never go below 1000 grit, even if I have to remove a nick.
It still goes plenty fast, and once the nick is gone I can progress to the 4K and get a shaveready edge in 15 - 20 minutes. If I used the DMT8C, it takes a lot longer before I have a decent edge, so I stopped doing that.

Thanks! All of your posts have been very very helpful! Seeing as I am going to need three stones, is there a cheaper replacement for the DMT 8E? What would be the draw backs of buying a cheaper stone if one is available?

I use the norton 1000 grit instead of the DMTE (which I don't have)
I have a 1K/4K combination stone that is very handy when removing a nick or cleaning up a bad bevel.
It allows me to use 1 stone for th rough work. and when I ready with the 4K side and get a decent TNT, only then do I go to my japanese stones or the norton 4K/8K.

The norton 1K side works well for me, and cuts fast enough that I don't feel I need a DMTE.
Also you can use a DMTE as a flattening stone, but you will probably get problems because the DMT will stick to the stone.

The norton 1K/4K is not cheaper than a DMTE (comparable) but you get 2 usable grits instead of 1, so it is more versatile.
The only thing you could argue against it is the fact that it needs to be lappd regularly