Thread: Narrowed it down but need help choosing a hone

Alright. So I will be making a CrOx balsa strop. The overwhelming majority of people have suggested the Norton 4k/8k, so I'll probably just get that system, and find a finisher, and have my strop.

Well, one alternative is a woodcraft DMT set-

Buy Woodcraft DMT 80th Anniversary Diamond Stone Boxed Set, Woodcraft DMT 80th

That will cover pretty much all repair situations. For a finisher you could get a sypderco UF for 50$, and if you felt the need, a spyderco fine for another 35 would pretty much have you set (cheaperthandirt.com). Going from the DMTs to the spydercos works well. You don't really need the spyderco fine, it just makes things quicker.

The only problem with this set up is you'd need to lap one side of each of the spydercos, which is a real bear. The best way to do this would be to buy a glass plate or a hard tile and some SIC grit, but that would only be about 10$ or so. I wouldn't recommend using these DMTs to try to lap the spydercos.

Actually, another problem is you'll have to improvise your own honing routine, there isn't alot of info out there about these like there is about the norton, but you should be able to get it down with some trial and error. I just go 1200, 8000, then pyramid the 8000, fine, and UF.

On the plus side, you don't have to worry about water or soaking your hones at all with this set up, which makes it really convenient and much less of a production when you want to hone.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

Well, one alternative is a woodcraft DMT set-

Buy Woodcraft DMT 80th Anniversary Diamond Stone Boxed Set, Woodcraft DMT 80th

That will cover pretty much all repair situations. For a finisher you could get a sypderco UF for 50$, and if you felt the need, a spyderco fine for another 35 would pretty much have you set (cheaperthandirt.com). Going from the DMTs to the spydercos works well. You don't really need the spyderco fine, it just makes things quicker.

The only problem with this set up is you'd need to lap one side of each of the spydercos, which is a real bear. The best way to do this would be to buy a glass plate or a hard tile and some SIC grit, but that would only be about 10$ or so. I wouldn't recommend using these DMTs to try to lap the spydercos.

Actually, another problem is you'll have to improvise your own honing routine, there isn't alot of info out there about these like there is about the norton, but you should be able to get it down with some trial and error. I just go 1200, 8000, then pyramid the 8000, fine, and UF.

On the plus side, you don't have to worry about water or soaking your hones at all with this set up, which makes it really convenient and much less of a production when you want to hone.

Hey Pete do you get the SIC online or is there somewhere local?

So I think I ruled out the naturals. I'm down to this decision:
Norton 240/1k, 4k/8k set ($120)
DMT 600, 1200 (both with swarf holes), 8k (flat) ($60)

The DMT's are clearly half the price, but they are 6x2 compared to Norton's 8x something (2? 3?). Also, I read somewhere that the DMT's are less forgiving/harder to learn on, whereas the Norton's cut nice and slow and theres a lot of info out there. In both cases I'm doing the CrOx balsa strop deal, and will probably get a finishing hone, now or later.
I've read all the stuff about needing to break in the DMT's and I have a few knives I need to sharpen which I will be doing on whatever hone I get, so that would break them in.

My main question is, is the increase in surface area and newb-friendliness worth the $60? Or rather, is the aggressiveness of the DMT highly unrecommendable? (On a side note, because the DMT cuts faster, does the size difference matter that much?)

Originally Posted by khaos

So I think I ruled out the naturals. I'm down to this decision:
Norton 240/1k, 4k/8k set ($120)
DMT 600, 1200 (both with swarf holes), 8k (flat) ($60)

The DMT's are clearly half the price, but they are 6x2 compared to Norton's 8x something (2? 3?). Also, I read somewhere that the DMT's are less forgiving/harder to learn on, whereas the Norton's cut nice and slow and theres a lot of info out there. In both cases I'm doing the CrOx balsa strop deal, and will probably get a finishing hone, now or later.
I've read all the stuff about needing to break in the DMT's and I have a few knives I need to sharpen which I will be doing on whatever hone I get, so that would break them in.

My main question is, is the increase in surface area and newb-friendliness worth the $60? Or rather, is the aggressiveness of the DMT highly unrecommendable? (On a side note, because the DMT cuts faster, does the size difference matter that much?)

Before you buy those DMT's with swarf holes, I'd search for a little more info on them. I think someone had said they aren't good for honing razors. I don't remember why, though. I could very well be mistaken, but I'd rather you be sure before buying them.

Also, my understanding of the D8EE is that it doesn't finish as fine as the norton 8k does, even though it's supposedly 8k also. IIRC it's a bit harsher? In any event, I'm not sure you'd want to shave straight off it, and I'm not sure if the crox would help it enough for a comfortable shave? On the other hand, you could shave straight off the norton 8k if you wanted to. And the crox is only helping there.

Pete, who recommended it, and Sticky both use swarf holed ones without trouble. However they are not newbies like me, so... anyone with experience please chime in. At $60 I would definitely also get a good finisher. With the Nortons I would still get one, but wait a while. Thanks for you help everyone

Originally Posted by pjrage

Before you buy those DMT's with swarf holes, I'd search for a little more info on them. I think someone had said they aren't good for honing razors. I don't remember why, though. I could very well be mistaken, but I'd rather you be sure before buying them.

Also, my understanding of the D8EE is that it doesn't finish as fine as the norton 8k does, even though it's supposedly 8k also. IIRC it's a bit harsher? In any event, I'm not sure you'd want to shave straight off it, and I'm not sure if the crox would help it enough for a comfortable shave? On the other hand, you could shave straight off the norton 8k if you wanted to. And the crox is only helping there.

i have this set. The dmt 600 gets the most work and i usually do a few laps on the dmt 1200 also, just because i can.

I have experimented a bit with the dmt 8k.... It may just be in my head, but i dont like the edge. Even after naniwa 12k and CrO.

You also get zero feedback...

Just an update... looks like I will be getting a Swaty as a finisher for now.

Originally Posted by khaos

Just an update... looks like I will be getting a Swaty as a finisher for now.

Did you wind up getting the DMT? I was actually following this thread and opted for the DMT on account of price -- placed my order last night. I have a three-line Swaty already.

It's hard to pass up $60. I'm a little nervous about those polka-dots but it seems like there are a few SRP members using the same set. I have an auction blade set aside strictly for learning. Razors, beware!

I have not decided yet. I have a birthday coming up, so I think I'm going to ask for the Norton Set. But I might just get the DMT set... I don't know... Anyway, I won't be buying a set this pay cycle... I just found 2 NOS razors and that Swaty that I couldn't just leave in the store...