Thread: dmt8x

Originally Posted by Utopian

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the only plate that DMT recommends for lapping is the DMT8XX. The other plates run the risk of being damaged due to the hone grit undercutting the substrate that holds the diamonds.

just when i thought i had everything figured out

good to know though.

Originally Posted by Utopian

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the only plate that DMT recommends for lapping is the DMT8XX. The other plates run the risk of being damaged due to the hone grit undercutting the substrate that holds the diamonds.

Originally Posted by OutlawSkinnyD

just when i thought i had everything figured out

good to know though.

Indeed, I've both heard of and seen other, less coarse DMT's be stripped from lapping. But I do think that if you don't do a whole ton of lapping, keep the pressure very light, and always lap under running water, you can get away with lapping on a DMT C. I lapped 2 coticules, 3 BBWs, a 1K synthetic, 2 Swaty's, and a C12K with my D6C and it seemed just fine.

Again, not saying that you can lap with a DMT C or X, just saying that you may be able to get away with it.

I finally bit the bullet and went for the D8XX. I was going by the recommendations of Utopian and Chris L. I have to say it will eat a Swaty for breakfast. I have a long and a standard Swaty. I had used a D8C on the standard and it took a long time and a lot of elbow grease.

When I got a long Swaty I drew my pencil grid and went to work on it with the D8C. It was one of those deals where I went far enough to have a honing surface and I wasn't going to fight it anymore to get the pencil grid off of the last half inch on the ends.

When my D8XX came in I threw on a new grid and it wiped that grid off of that Swaty in short order. No sweat no strain. Than I grabbed an 8X3 Norton 4K and drew a grid on that. It was flat in a pair of seconds. I did some honing on it and it has a lot more feedback than it does when lapped with the D8C but I went with it and it did a good job on whichever razor it was. (can't remember).

My intention is to lap with the XX and than do another grid on the C to smooth it out. I've only had two razors with a chip or frown bad enough to go to the C. On most bevel setting/chip removal the 1200 is plenty good IME.

Granted the DMT8XX is more expensive, but it will definitely put a smile on your face. If your lapping needs are minimal, and if you are gentle with it and use a lot of water, then a finer grit DMT is likely to be acceptable . On the other hand, if you plan on lapping very many hones, the DMT8XX is a good buy. Keep in mind that DMTs don't last forever and the XX is going to be serviceable for lapping much longer than the finer plates.