Thread: Got my DMT 325C today and Wowww

I have a dual 625/1250 DMT plate. I don't use it for lapping, though; the finer diamonds are easier to shear off the metal. DMT actually doesn't recommend lapping with anything finer than their 150, but we've all used the 325 and come out fine. I did strip a 650 pretty well, before I knew about that.

The DMT 325 is great. I also use mine to hone my kitchen knives; got them super sharp. My mother-in-law sliced her finger on one while visiting. I guess she's not used to sharp knives.

DMT is the way to go, I've used mine for over 3 years and it still works jest' fine!!!

tinkersd

DMT 325 600 and 1200. Bevels and pre bevels, I don't use any 1k stones anymore( Norton and King). Too messy, they dish out quickly and too much water. You have to soak em for 15 minutes. DMT a little water and a drop of dish soap, nice and easy!

Now one more thing i can't understand as i might not be grasping the concept of those diamonds.

I have read that you should use lapping under water as you can ruin the diamonds.

How can one hone blades of steel on the plates without doing damage to those diamonds?

I think you lap under water because otherwise the stone material would build up into a sludge that would float the lapping plate off of your hone, and you'd just be smushing expensive mud between two expensive flat surfaces.

Why/how a hone loosens diamonds from a plate where a blade does not, I don't know. The metal is softer, easier for the diamonds to cut, than hone particles, maybe that's it. Plus there's only a passing contact between a sharpening edge and the diamonds. But, honestly, I can only speculate.

You know there is a ton of old info on how slurry can "Undercut" the diamonds, I have heard new info that I am trying to confirm right now that contradicts that old info so I am not as sure of the "Undercut" info now..

Thanks, Glen. Looking forward to what you find. I remembered once reading an explanation of how the diamonds could be dislodged, but it's a pretty fuzzy memory, possibly of a fuzzy explanation.

You don't need slurry to destroy a diamond plate. Just lap a Spyderco UF.

Congrats on purchasing the dmt coarse! Your honing arsenal is not quite complete without in my view.