Anyone using DMT bench stones?

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
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Does anyone of you use bench stones from DMT? I'm considering getting the 10" DuoSharp bench stone from DMT, and I'd like to hear some feedback on DMT products.

I'd first get a fine/extra fine stone, and maybe later a coarse/extra coarse.

Currently I use sandpaper on a flat surface to sharpen, or a triple sided stone with coarse and fine diamond plates and a medium arkansas stone. The triple sided stone is a bit narrow, and that's why i want the 10" DMT stones.

The only negative thing I see is the price. For two of those I can get an Edge Pro Apex 4 and still have some money left.
 
I have them and use them. I went with the X coarse and coarse. They work but they wear and were pricey. So, I use them sparingly. DM
 
I think a lot of us have DMT plates. I've got the XXC, C, and EF diasharps (continuous surface). I've heard good things about the duosharps, but never used one myself.

DMT makes great plates. Diamonds, as you probably know, are different than other abrasives. They act differently, which can be a good or bad thing. As Mr. Martin says, if you press down hard, you can definitely strip the diamond coating off them, making them not all that useful. My DMT C has an area on it with very few diamonds left because I was too aggressive with it when I started. I find I *still* tend to press down too hard. But I usually catch myself and back off.

I get great results from mine. I recommend them. But there are many other choices. It just depends on what your sharpening goals are.

Brian.
 
I have used all of the grits and variations for 25 years,,, excellent for the higher alloy steels.
Remember to use very light pressure and they will last a very long time.

I also use a light mineral oil on the DMT to prevent the rust build up with water as a lubricant.

Regards,
FK
 
Thanks for the advice about pressure.

Will the stones be a bit coarser at first and then wear in? I think I heard something like that some time ago.
 
sogflash said:
Thanks for the advice about pressure.

Will the stones be a bit coarser at first and then wear in? I think I heard something like that some time ago.
Click to expand...

Yes, new diamond plates will feel a bit coarser in the first few uses. That's normal, as with most any stone. But they'll 'wear in' to a steadier and very stable level of performance, after some use.

I'll 2nd (or 3rd? 4th?) the mention of using appropriately lighter pressure with them. Diamond is at least 2X-3X as hard as other mainstream sharpening abrasives (SiC, AlOx). So, my thumbrule is to dial down the pressure used, to maybe ~ 1/2 or 1/3 of what you're used to; that's how they'll perform best, both in results and in longevity of the hones. Adjusting your touch for a diamond hone will pay off with other types of stones as well, as it's just good technique to keep the pressure light when sharpening, and especially in the refinement stages.


David
 
sogflash said:
Does anyone of you use bench stones from DMT? I'm considering getting the 10" DuoSharp bench stone from DMT, and I'd like to hear some feedback on DMT products.

I'd first get a fine/extra fine stone, and maybe later a coarse/extra coarse.

Currently I use sandpaper on a flat surface to sharpen, or a triple sided stone with coarse and fine diamond plates and a medium arkansas stone. The triple sided stone is a bit narrow, and that's why i want the 10" DMT stones.

The only negative thing I see is the price. For two of those I can get an Edge Pro Apex 4 and still have some money left.
Click to expand...

I use and like DMT stones... I think they're a good investment.

I am curious though, why you feel the need for the 10"x4" stones? I've used and been happy with the 8"x2½" stones... and while I won't argue that bigger may be better... I think the 8" stones handle a lot of knife sizes. Just curious... not saying they're bad or not worth it... just not totally necessary? (Especially since you mentioned getting an Apex... which uses a 1"x6" stone... albeit in a different manner).
 
I can always use less of the surface I have on a big stone, but I can't use more than I have on a small one. If that makes sense.

Do I need a big one? No. do I want one? Yes!

The comparison to the Apex 4 was to show that I could get a complete system with a lot of different stones, with training wheels, for the price of two bench stones. But then again the bench stones are large and double sided.
 
sogflash said:
I can always use less of the surface I have on a big stone, but I can't use more than I have on a small one. If that makes sense.

Do I need a big one? No. do I want one? Yes!

The comparison to the Apex 4 was to show that I could get a complete system with a lot of different stones, with training wheels, for the price of two bench stones. But then again the bench stones are large and double sided.
Click to expand...

Ah... cool, thanks.

I guess part of my point was,,, if $$$ is an issue... the 8" stones are more than adequate... unless you have a special need for the larger stone. Can't argue with "wanting" the larger size though... I've looked (but resisted) the 10" stones a time or two myself. :thumbsup:
 
I don't like sharpening on diamonds too much.. I find waterstones specially the splash and go ceramic kinds much more enjoyable to sharpen on.. u can get the shapton ha no kuromaku for way cheaper on amazon and they are awesome stones and leave a much cleaner edge then diamonds imo.. I started out with diamonds after doing a lot of research myself but after sharpening and trying different things I don't really like them anymore. Good luck with whatever u decide though!
 
I like the DMT 8" bench stones on their stone holder. The XC cuts pretty fast, and the others are good to refine the scratch pattern to something decent.

I rarely use the EF (green) side, because I finish the edge on spyderco ceramics. I'm much happier with a microbevel on the M or XF ceramic depending on how aggressive I want the edge.
 
Hey man just to let u know you can get a whole set of 8x3 inch dmts for 200 on sharpeningsupplies.conm.. all except the extra extra coarse and the extra extra fine.. it comes with four plates
 
I know you said you wanted ten inch but unless you have a lot of machetes or really big knives the extra cost probably wouldn't be worth it imo..my eight inc stones have never felt to small for me no matter what I've sharpened.. the six inch dmt on the other hand seems to small to sharpen anything comfortably
 
Hi
sogflash said:
...The only negative thing I see is the price. For two of those I can get an Edge Pro Apex 4 and still have some money left.
Click to expand...
If you're open to shopping on amazon/ebay/aliexpress
and dont mind the negatives / are aware free shipping takes weeks...
for the cost of just one of those stones
you could get a generic version of apex (~$20)
with a bunch of replacement diamond stones ( 80-2000 grit) for ~$4 per stone,
or set of 10 for ~$30
add strop plates/blanks for ~$2 each ( Leather Strop Polishing Sharpener with Base Home Kitchen Tool )
diamond polishing paste for ~$1 or ~$2
or mix your own with 5 grams diamond powders for ~$5 (practically wholesale)

for freehand
add some thin wide diamond plates 6.69" * 2.95" , 80-3000 grt for under $5
or thin wide diamond plates 230*80mm or 9x3.14inch from 60 mesh to 3000 mesh for $7.99
they even have WIDE have square plates ~6.69inch or 7.8inch

they also have thicker plates but the grit choices dont go higher than than ~$20

so for $60 you could get a system with 4 stones, 10 diamond stones, 2 strops with diamond pastes for that extra extra mirror polish

just remember use very light force,
like under 1lb or under 1/2lb,
should be easy with the jig,
the smaller the contact point,
the lighter you should go, or you loose diamonds

HeavyHanded said:
I like my DMTs, but am not 100% happy with their QC, especially on the diasharp plates. Recently picked up this stone and feel it is better quality.
http://www.nordicskaters.com/produc...7/zandstra-foss-duo-diamond-sharpening-stone/
Click to expand...
Ouch, thats 3x the price on amazon ($23): DMD 1602 Grit: 400/1200# 250*70*10mm Weight: 370g
 
HeavyHanded said:
I like my DMTs, but am not 100% happy with their QC, especially on the diasharp plates. Recently picked up this stone and feel it is better quality.

http://www.nordicskaters.com/produc...7/zandstra-foss-duo-diamond-sharpening-stone/
Click to expand...


bucketstove said:
Ouch, thats 3x the price on amazon ($23): DMD 1602 Grit: 400/1200# 250*70*10mm Weight: 370g
Click to expand...


Whew, the price went up on those - I paid $36 for mine. It sure looks like the same manufacture minus the logo.

I double (triple, why not?) my recommendation, its holding up great, makes a very nice edge, and is a good working size. $23 is a bargain.
 
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bucketstove said:
If you're open to shopping on amazon/ebay/aliexpress
and dont mind the negatives / are aware free shipping takes weeks...
for the cost of just one of those stones
you could get a generic version of apex (~$20)
Click to expand...

I think this is rather off topic. The OP asked about DMT plates. Not about cheap apex knock offs.

Have you ever owned a DMT plate? Or sharpened on one? You offer lots and lots and lots of advice and I wonder if your experience extends to these other sharpening systems that you constantly seem to be saying that no one needs.

Brian.
 
I never said I pressed down hard. The diamonds will fracture and break. With the small, thin layer of material on the plates it doesn't take
much to began to wear them down. I know they will sharpen and put a good edge on. If you sharpen a lot of knives you'll notice the wear on the stones. And their cost is much higher than some other materials. DM
 
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OP,
Go for the larger ones—you won't have to upgrade — due to size — and I can't imagine you will regret it.

If your only hesitation is financial: amortizing the cost differential between the 2 sizes, the higher cost of the larger one is negligible.
 
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