Atoma vs Ultrasharp diamond plates

S

Strauss95

Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
161
I already have a set of continuous surface Diasharp DMT plates in XC, C, F, and EF, but I think I may have prematurely worn them out by using too much pressure on them when I first got them. They were my first set of diamond plates that I bought 4 years ago when I was first learning how to sharpen freehand. The XC plate is still in good condition since I didn't use it very much when I was first learning to control pressure etc, but the other three plates a very worn down. I know the plates "break-in" but they are so smooth they have lost most of their aggression, with the EF plate showing the most wear. I recently picked up a 1200 grit Ultrasharp plate to replace it but didn't know at the time of ordering that their grit rating is much more aggressive than DMT's. I am very impressed with the quality of the new plate, and I've managed to tame it down some in use but it still feels more coarse than my worn DMT fine.

Since I'm obsessed with sharpening anyway, and now that I'm much more experienced with freehand sharpening, I'd like to pick up a new set of diamond plates to sort of "start over". Knowing that DMT quality has gone down as of late, I'm looking at Ultrasharp or Atoma. I already have an Atoma 140 that I bought years ago for lapping my whetstones (Shapton Pro and Gesshin sets), so it's pretty worn in but still works. I also have a full set of Venev bonded stones but sometimes I prefer using plated diamonds.

Option #1:
New Atoma 140
Atoma 400
Atoma 1200 replacement blade to stick on back of 400 plate

Option #2:
Ultrasharp 300
Ultrasharp 600
Ultrasharp 3000

Right now I'm leaning towards the Ultrasharp set since I have their 1200 plate already, but I'd get the Atoma's if they appear to be the better option. I'm just looking for feedback/opinions from anyone that may have both brands and which do you like better for sharpening.
 
Have you tried cleaning your plates with a brush and some comet? They might just be clogged. They're a lot harder to wear out than people think in my experience.
 
Upon further review, it looks like my DMT plates might very well be okay, just VERY broken in lol. I took them outside and looked at them in indirect sunlight, I could see the diamonds reflecting on the surface of the plates, well all but the extra fine. The diamonds are probably too small on the EF to see them with the naked eye I assume. So I might be all good.

Either way, I'd still like to hear people's opinions on Atoma vs Ultrasharp.
 
Not what you asked, but I have Ezelap plates that have been really good. I would recommend them as an alternative.

I've also got the Atoma 140 for coarse repair and for stone flattening that has worked well. That's the only one I have though.
 
I don’t have any Atomas to compare, but I do have the Ultrasharp 300 and 600 pates. I bought them a year and a half or two years ago and I have been very happy with them. If you don’t have a no-slip stone holder for them, you will need one. They’re good and heavy with a very solid feel, but they’re very slick on the underside.

Good luck with your choice!
 
Spats McGee said:
I don’t have any Atomas to compare, but I do have the Ultrasharp 300 and 600 pates. I bought them a year and a half or two years ago and I have been very happy with them. If you don’t have a no-slip stone holder for them, you will need one. They’re good and heavy with a very solid feel, but they’re very slick on the underside.

Good luck with your choice!
Click to expand...

I already have a couple stone holders so I'm all set there! I keep hearing about how crazy durable the Ultrasharp plates are, and combined with their lifetime warranty it's making me lean towards buying the rest of their line up.

I also just gave my old Atoma 140 that is my primary whetstone lapping plate a HEAVY deep cleaning, and it's actually still in very good shape. I always rinse it really well with warm running water and dry it after leveling stones, but now it looks almost brand new after scrubbing it with a stiff bristled brush and barkeeper's friend.

Keep the feedback coming!
 
I don't have Atomas, but I do have the Ultrasharp 3000 and I like it. Definitely not equivalent to a 3000 Japanese stone, though. Probably closer to a Shapton 1000.
 
Atomas feel different than DMTs, which is similar to Ultrasharp.
Atoma has their diamond in clusters, which people really like for flattening water stones, as there is less sticktion.
To me Atoma feels better than DMT and people say it's the best quality.
I can't tell you which lasts longer, but Obsessed with Edges like Ultrasharp (in isolation, not in comparison).
 
Thank you to those that chimed in. This morning I ordered the Ultrasharp 300, 600, and 3000 grit plates to go along with my recently acquired Ultrasharp 1200 plate, so I'll have the full set minus the 2200 grit (which I think is redundant having the 3K). I'll be busy trying to break these suckers in when they arrive in a week or so. Hearing how durable they are, I'll most likely flatten a few of my Shapton Pro stones with them to knock down their initial aggression, but I know they will take awhile to fully break in.
 
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