Thread: Chinese 12K Meets the D8XX

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I see. Less work for the finer plate & the running water prevents slurry build up.

I tried using a d8E. It created a black slurry from a white stone. I don't recommend it.

Originally Posted by Leighton

I tried using a d8E. It created a black slurry from a white stone. I don't recommend it.

Hmm, interesting. All this about the DMT plates make me wonder why they're so recommended over sandpaper. It seems that many of them, even the most commonly recommended D8C can be damaged by the very thing we buy them for, and the only one recommended by DMT (the D8XX) leaves deep scratches on finishing hones.

Originally Posted by huntmol

Hmm, interesting. All this about the DMT plates make me wonder why they're so recommended over sandpaper. It seems that many of them, even the most commonly recommended D8C can be damaged by the very thing we buy them for, and the only one recommended by DMT (the D8XX) leaves deep scratches on finishing hones.

Honestly, the sandpaper is probably the route I would go for lapping ceramics. Ceramics are hard. Plus, the sandpaper gives a bigger surface area to lap with. And, you can go all out with no worries.

DMT for waterstones that are lapped in a few minutes, but sandpaper for ceramics.

The DMT8XX does not leave as deep of scratches as some would presume. I personally don't think the scratches interfere with honing for most types of hones. For those that do have significant scratches, I put finer sandpaper on top of the DMT plate for the final lapping of the hone.

I read these posts and see the prices of lapping hones. I just don't see the value.

What's wrong with a high grit wet and dry sandpaper sheet laid on glass.

It works for a coticule, an Escher, some japanese hones and even for a $300 Chosera.

Once you start lapping (WET) the surface of the sandpaper quickly gets covered in fine particles of the hone that is being lapped. So effectively you are lapping the hone on the same grit as the hone itself.

I don't see how you can get better than that. Incidentally wet and dry paper is very inexpensive.

You can purchase at most motor car accessories shops, the sandpaper is used for sanding a cars bodywork prior to repainting. You can obtain grits in 250, 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 and 2000 grades. In England, Halfords sell packets for about $3 for 4 sheets.

Each sheet is like using a brand new hone.

I just got some 240 and 360 for 59p per sheet. that's from an expensive local DIY shop

Originally Posted by English

I read these posts and see the prices of lapping hones. I just don't see the value.

What's wrong with a high grit wet and dry sandpaper sheet laid on glass.

It works for a coticule, an Escher, some japanese hones and even for a $300 Chosera.

Once you start lapping (WET) the surface of the sandpaper quickly gets covered in fine particles of the hone that is being lapped. So effectively you are lapping the hone on the same grit as the hone itself.

I don't see how you can get better than that. Incidentally wet and dry paper is very inexpensive.

You can purchase at most motor car accessories shops, the sandpaper is used for sanding a cars bodywork prior to repainting. You can obtain grits in 250, 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 and 2000 grades. In England, Halfords sell packets for about $3 for 4 sheets.

Each sheet is like using a brand new hone.

Because they wear out pretty quickly. For example. Its impossible to completely lap a spyderco hone mildly crooked with just a pack of sheets.

I recently used 120 grit paper to lap a hard stone. It was much, much faster than using my D8C (for obvious reason) and the paper was as good as new afterwards.

Just ordered a DMT D8XX. Hope I get a good flat one. They ain't all the same.

I wouldn't worry too much about the flatness issue on the XX, Jimmy. If you've got a flat D8C and finish on that one, it will correct any subtle issues from an XX that may not be perfect.

That XX is the bee's knees. The cat's pajamas. It laughs at Chinese 12s, Swaty hones, even ceramic stones as those types of stones bleed slurry into the sink.

Chris L