Diamond Sharpening Gear: Who's Got The Best?

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
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Well this upcoming summer I've got a lot of good paying work ahead of me so I got to thinking that I'm going to upgrade my overall sharpening equipment. There are two new Spyderco sharpening tools coming down the pipeline that I've already planned to get. But what I really want more than anything else is to do to expand my supply of diamond sharpening gear. I've only got 3 really good diamond sharpening stones at this time and I'm really thinking about getting some newer/better stuff to add to my sharpening tools for extra grit selection and to see what else would benefit my diamond tool selection. The three diamond stones I've got are Norton ( coarse), 3M ( extra-coarse) and a couple of smaller DMT stones. I've had really great results with my Norton and 3M stones but it's been about 10 years since I bought them and I'm sure there is better equipment out there at this time.
So I want to ramp up my supply of diamond stones which I've always had better luck with doing the really hard work. So I would appreciate any suggestions. I'm going to take a hard look at some of the stones that 3M currently has on the market because everything I own of theirs has served me well. But I'm open minded and will listen to suggestions from many of you guys who are probably more aware of what the best equipment is out there for diamond stones. OK I'm all ears
 
What grit, size, and style of stone/plate are you looking for?
If it's continuous plate type at 9 micron (1.2k) or coarser, I prefer eze lap... but they require a lot of break in.
If it's finer than 9 micron, venev (? micron) or the dmt 8k (3? micron).
 
The size and grit size you’re after is indeed important. DMT has a great product. I like their DiaSharp line (continuous diamond surface without the dots) in 8” stones. However, their Extra Fine 1200 “mesh” stone is no good IMHO. You can research why, but bottom line is there are larger particles scattered throughout and needs a LONG LONG break in period. Bad stone, as far as I’m concerned. I refuse to use mine. It’s WAY coarser than the Fine (600 mesh) stone, even after directly contacting DMT about this and given a new stone.

The ATOMA 1200 is a much much better plate in that mesh/grit rating. The other ATOMA plates (140, 400, 600, 1200) are all great too.

The DMT DiaSharp EEF (3 micron) stone is surprisingly good for me. Not quite that mesh/grit rating, but a GREAT finishing stone. I was skeptical at first, even after a bit of use. Now....I LOVE it!!! It’s like the Spyderco UF ceramic....just MUCH faster.

EZE LAP has a good product, but honestly it’s been a few decades since I’ve used their stuff. It’s no slouch, often overlooked. But I can’t offer the same experience as the DMT line, it’s been too long.

If it’s bench stones (not small system stones) you’re after, then DMT, EZELAP, ATOMA are my recommendations.

Venev I have no experience with.

Naniwa diamond stones I have no experience with. But they are so expensive it’s not even in my circle of consideration or interest. Way too much money.

I hope that helps in some way. All I have to say is “stay away from DMT 1200 EF stones”. Very very very disappointed. I’m on my 3rd. Never again. Very happy with ATOMA 1200.
 
I find the Venev OCB plates - diamond in resin - to feel rubbery. Performance wise they are close to the grit rating, since they are not diamonds sitting on top of the plate they are bonded to, but mixed into the resin. They might be slower though. I say might because the only knife I had on had that wasn't sharp is a softer steel, which I don't use on diamonds.
From reviews I've seen, the Naniwa diamond stones - also resin - are slower than regular bonded diamonds. If I had more 'super steel' knives, I might get the 3000 or 6000.
 
jpm2 said:
What grit, size, and style of stone/plate are you looking for?
If it's continuous plate type at 9 micron (1.2k) or coarser, I prefer eze lap... but they require a lot of break in.
If it's finer than 9 micron, venev (? micron) or the dmt 8k (3? micron).
Click to expand...
Well I'm really looking at getting possibly a complete set of stones going all the way from Ultra-Fine to Extra Coarse. I like your recommendation of Eze Lap because I heard through reliable source that is who makes Spyderco's diamond stones for their 204 Sharpmaker and I've had pretty decent luck overall with the two sets of them I've been using for quite a while.
I'm kind of surprised and somewhat disappointed that no one yet has mentioned 3M's really nice diamond stones. So far I've only gotten their Extra-Coarse benchstone along with a wide selection of diamond files that I got at a trade show and I've been extremely satisfied with them. But I've not heard anyone on any forum even so much as mention them and that's weird as good of quality as they seem to be.
I've talked to a couple of guys over at the Spyderco.com forum who have told me about ATOMA and how satisfied they were. However I've never used or even ever seen any of their products as of yet. But I'm still wide open for other suggestions. But that's why I started this thread I just want to know what is regarded as really good and high quality in diamond sharpening equipment as of late. But I do wish someone who has had experience with 3M's diamond stones to chime in too.
 
Edge pro diamond matrix stones. Can also be used with hapstone or even freehand. Well reviewed on the forum. You can even demo them if you want to try them out. D Diemaker makes them. Check out his threads on them.

I've used metallic bonded diamond stones from gritomatic and organic bonded diamond stones from venev with good results and like all the bonded stones better than surface mount diamond stones like what dmt offers.

They all produce a sharp edge but the bonded stones have more advantages over them. Mainly you can't easily destroy them and they last longer. They can be re surfaced to expose new diamonds if they are worn down from use.

There are now a bunch of different bonded types from at least 5 or more brands and come in different sizes including some that offer bench stone sizes.

The edge pro ones would seem to provide a better scratch pattern from what the pass around group suggests and the close up photos suggest as well. Only downside is they currently only come in one size, 1x6 and that doesn't bother most people especially those with a system like the edge pro or hapstone. Or those who use 1x6 to sharpen by hand or modify there bench stone holders to hold. I'm not sure what's in the pipeline at all for future products based on this tech.

In any case I really enjoy the bonded stones I've tried over the surface mount diamond stones that I've collected through the years. If your experienced sharpener you can't go wrong with either type. The results will be sharp regardless. If your a newer sharpener I would recommend the bonded stones hands down. I feel like it's easier and more forgiving to learn and you won't wear out a set of surface mount diamond stones learning on them. As they can be re surfaced to expose fresh diamonds.

For steel like maxamet I like it far better and don't have any of the chunking out issues a few people have with other stones and the bonded stones feel flat, where as the surface mount stones I can feel the diamonds on the edge. Especially with the extra coarse dmt stones, feels like I'm running my edge across pebbles.
 
I appreciate all the input on the Edge Pro and other stuff you mentioned. But what I'm really looking for is which company is making the better diamond benchstones? I'm not at all ready to get either an Edge Pro or Wicked edge system yet. Right now I just want to expand my supply of basic benchstones. With the information I have at this time I've got 3M and NORTON as my top picks to get an entire line up of their diamond benchstones. But if there are any other diamond sharpening stones out there that anyone thinks would outperform what I just mentioned I'll sure take it into consideration.
 
I don't if I would say the OCB stones feel rubbery they are hard and like the standard Venev stones they just have a smoother feel when sharpening.

Ourorboros said:
I find the Venev OCB plates - diamond in resin - to feel rubbery. Performance wise they are close to the grit rating, since they are not diamonds sitting on top of the plate they are bonded to, but mixed into the resin. They might be slower though. I say might because the only knife I had on had that wasn't sharp is a softer steel, which I don't use on diamonds.
From reviews I've seen, the Naniwa diamond stones - also resin - are slower than regular bonded diamonds. If I had more 'super steel' knives, I might get the 3000 or 6000.
Click to expand...
 
Contact Konstantin the owner of Gritomatic and ask him about the Metallic Bonded CBN stones they are by far the fastest cutting stones I have ever used and I they you might be able to get them in a bigger size then an edge pro format,I would also look at the Venev stones in the OCB resin bond that's what I use after I use the Metallic Bonded CBN stones.

JD Spydo said:
I appreciate all the input on the Edge Pro and other stuff you mentioned. But what I'm really looking for is which company is making the better diamond benchstones? I'm not at all ready to get either an Edge Pro or Wicked edge system yet. Right now I just want to expand my supply of basic benchstones. With the information I have at this time I've got 3M and NORTON as my top picks to get an entire line up of their diamond benchstones. But if there are any other diamond sharpening stones out there that anyone thinks would outperform what I just mentioned I'll sure take it into consideration.
Click to expand...
 
wade7575 said:
I don't if I would say the OCB stones feel rubbery they are hard and like the standard Venev stones they just have a smoother feel when sharpening.
Click to expand...
They don't feel rubbery to the touch like an eraser or tire, but under a knife they felt a little rubbery to me, as opposed to the harder chalky feel of some water stones, grit of a SIC, or the metal on metal of a plate.
 
JD Spydo said:
I appreciate all the input on the Edge Pro and other stuff you mentioned. But what I'm really looking for is which company is making the better diamond benchstones? I'm not at all ready to get either an Edge Pro or Wicked edge system yet. Right now I just want to expand my supply of basic benchstones. With the information I have at this time I've got 3M and NORTON as my top picks to get an entire line up of their diamond benchstones. But if there are any other diamond sharpening stones out there that anyone thinks would outperform what I just mentioned I'll sure take it into consideration.
Click to expand...
You don't have to use them in any system.
 
I have been getting requests for a holder for Matrix stones for those who use them freehand so it looks like this is something that will eventually be available. Probably this year but don't hold me to that.
 
Diemaker said:
I have been getting requests for a holder for Matrix stones for those who use them freehand so it looks like this is something that will eventually be available. Probably this year but don't hold me to that.
Click to expand...

Get a move on, Bubba! (And don't forget that "other" thing...) :p
 
Ourorboros said:
They don't feel rubbery to the touch like an eraser or tire, but under a knife they felt a little rubbery to me, as opposed to the harder chalky feel of some water stones, grit of a SIC, or the metal on metal of a plate.
Click to expand...

The Ultrasharp diamond plates are reasonably priced and are the most durable plates I have used.

I am not a fan of the resin bonded diamonds I have tried. I have one I bought from Global Tooling that is for sharpening carbide jointer blades and it works well enough as a finishing stone on high Vanadium steels. I use it for microbeveling and for that it works great.

All the rest I have tried ranged from 'OK/not bad' to 'no thank you'. I haven't used any that were superior in function or feel to regular plates, and none of the higher grit ones worked as well as that $30 stone from Global (approx 8k).

YMMV.
 
Blues said:
Get a move on, Bubba! (And don't forget that "other" thing...) :p
Click to expand...
I certainly haven't. I have a lot of projects I want to get completed and that is one of the first but only after I get the slide guides done.
 
I think its a good thing your wife is part of your business, otherwise you might never see her by the sounds of it...Your a very busy man!
 
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