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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
DMT Unbreakable Ceramic Steel, Sanitary Black Plastic, 7 Micron Grit
- Thread starter HoosierQ
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2009
- Messages
- 199
I don't own one, but it sounds like a winner. The three Amazon reviewers all give it 5 stars. I think it's admirable of DMT to publish the micron/mesh rating for this hone. At 7 microns, it's roughly between the extra fine (12 micron) and extra extra fine (3 micron) stones, which is pretty darn fine. I have no idea how my Mac black hone rates, or the HandAmerican borosilicate rod that I might like to own some day.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,134
hand american borosilicate has no grit the surface texture isn't for metal removal this rod doesn't sharpen, it realigns the edge and that's it. very good at it btw.
another good ceramic rod is the idahone, it's rated at 1200 grit iirc.
Borosilicate glass is just another name for 'Pyrex.' The same 'Pyrex' that you probably already have in your kitchen. A $4 'Pyrex' meatloaf pan will give you four nice long straight sections to 'steel' against, and work just a well as any borosilicate rods we can buy. I had my rod made for me at a chemical supply house for less than $5, but it didn't come with a fancy handle on it. I added a braided paracord wrap that I made myself.
Borosilicate glass DOES work very well for 'steeling' an edge, and I use mine every day, but there is NO grit factor removing metal. It functions the same as a smooth meat packer's steel.
Stitchawl
What's "sanitary black plastic", the handle? I have this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Machining-Technology-CS2-12-Inch/dp/B00009YV7S
I think it's great. All I need to sharpen knives is a medium or coarse stone and this.
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Machining-Technology-CS2-12-Inch/dp/B00009YV7S
I think it's great. All I need to sharpen knives is a medium or coarse stone and this.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2010
- Messages
- 77
Stitch,
It may be true that Pyrex is a type of borosilicate, but not all borosilicate rods are Pyrex which is a brand name.
Our rods have a unique composition and interesting history which I'll address on my site shortly.
We've sold thousands of our rods in over 60 countries, everyone is pleased with them, they perform exactly as they should, and they don't wear out.
Keith
It may be true that Pyrex is a type of borosilicate, but not all borosilicate rods are Pyrex which is a brand name.
Our rods have a unique composition and interesting history which I'll address on my site shortly.
We've sold thousands of our rods in over 60 countries, everyone is pleased with them, they perform exactly as they should, and they don't wear out.
Keith
True... Borosilicate is the generic name for that glass composition. "Pyrex" is a brand name. All borosilicate glass will work well for 'steeling' an edge, regardless of the brand. The custom borosilicate rod that I had made for me for $5 isn't branded.
LOL! It would take a heck of a lot to wear out borosilicate glass! It's much harder than any metal used for knives today. I'm sure everyone who uses a borosilicate rod for daily knife touch-ups is happy with the results. I know I am. I'm sure that yours do perform exactly as a borosilicate rod should perform.
The rods that you sell do look very nice. Fancy handle and all! But personally, and only personally, I prefer to spend $5 for a borosilicate rod rather than $75, and make my own handle. And if I can get four borosilicate rods for under $10 attached to a pan that I can use to make meatloaf or chocolate swirl pound cake, (I can't get "Sara Lee" here,) so much the better!!
Granted, I do not get the fancy handle with mine...
Stitchawl
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2010
- Messages
- 77
My apologies, I should have been more clear. Our rods do have a unique composition, aside from that they are micro grooved lengthwise which has an effect on the blade edge.
When I referred to our rods 'not wearing out' it was with regard to the micro grooving. The rods are cut with diamond and the grooves do hold up. The first one I made for myself is over seven years old and works like new.
I'll go into greater detail on these on my site, as I've said before it's an interesting story.
Keith
When I referred to our rods 'not wearing out' it was with regard to the micro grooving. The rods are cut with diamond and the grooves do hold up. The first one I made for myself is over seven years old and works like new.
I'll go into greater detail on these on my site, as I've said before it's an interesting story.
Keith
Oh oh... Grooves?
This brings us back to the age old debate between using
a grooved butcher's steel or a smooth meat packer's steel. Personally, one of the reasons
I switched from steel to glass was that I liked the meat packer's smooth steel so much
and wanted an even smoother surface!
Of course the borosilicate glass gave that to me.
I'll look forward to reading it!
Stitchawl
Well my DMT Ceramic & Micron steel came. I am somewhat puzzled and also taken aback. 
This thing, while obviously a quality item, is very different than my other "no-name" ceramic rod...or any other. The surface is sort of crusty for lack of a better description. My no-name is very smooth and yet when I draw the blade across it, it leaves a very nice little trail of dark gray metal. This new one, not so much (it is there but faint). I also notice that there was a small whiff of dust coming off the thing with a stroke. Maybe this thing'll need some breaking in.
I worked over a Chicago cutlery knife that was a real dickens to get sharp...even with my DMT duosharp...that thing would not form a burr to save me. I have no idea what kind of steel a 20-year old Chicago cutlery would be made of but I don't like it.
So anyway, this thing seems rougher and grittier than something I'd expect from 7 micron. Time will tell.
This thing, while obviously a quality item, is very different than my other "no-name" ceramic rod...or any other. The surface is sort of crusty for lack of a better description. My no-name is very smooth and yet when I draw the blade across it, it leaves a very nice little trail of dark gray metal. This new one, not so much (it is there but faint). I also notice that there was a small whiff of dust coming off the thing with a stroke. Maybe this thing'll need some breaking in.I worked over a Chicago cutlery knife that was a real dickens to get sharp...even with my DMT duosharp...that thing would not form a burr to save me. I have no idea what kind of steel a 20-year old Chicago cutlery would be made of but I don't like it.
So anyway, this thing seems rougher and grittier than something I'd expect from 7 micron. Time will tell.
Worked in several kitchens in my area and Door county 40+ years ago -all were equipped with Chicago cutlery knives.Own a pile of their knives - most bought for a buck or so at rummage/estate sales. Mine sharpen up easily -was told years ago that Chicago used 1095 steel -anyone know if this is true ?They definitely were not stainless steel.
Have a glass rod in the trash right now (piece of towel hanger) - is this worth trying as a sharpening device or do you need a very hard glass ?
Have a glass rod in the trash right now (piece of towel hanger) - is this worth trying as a sharpening device or do you need a very hard glass ?
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2004
- Messages
- 2,270
This addresses the "dust" issue....
http://www.dmtsharp.com/dmtdiff/faqsfeedback.php#Buy
It feels rough but leaves a very fine finish. Probably the best compromise between a ceramic rod and a steel. I've been very happy with mine.
cbw
It's certainly worth trying. You can lose with an experiment like this. Who is to say that it's not hard glass? If it works, great. If it doesn't, no harm can be done. Do a 'before and after' cutting test, and let us know know it works.
Stitchawl
There are lots of different kinds of glass, each more suitable to different usage.
For honing? Probably nothing.
. I'd imagine any solid glass would work well for honing, but I think a martini glass might be too fragile.For durability, the borosilicate glass is stronger, less likely to fracture, less prone to stress failure, and is less dense than ordinary window glass! Most laboratory glassware is borosilicate, and almost all kitchen glass baking pans and measuring cups sold around the world (except the Pyrex ones manufactured in the US. Pyrex made outside the US is OK,) are made from borosilicate glass. When it does break, it usually breaks into large chunks instead of tiny pieces, which is important to a klutz like me. However, I've dropped my borosilicate steeling rod several times, and touch wood, it's still in one piece.
The stuff is great for high intensity flashlight lenses, aquarium heaters, crack pipes, and manufactured guitar slides. If you are going to make a telescope mirror to be used in space, it would be best to use borosilicate glass for that too. There are plenty of other uses for borosilicate glass too, but no question about the fact that it works well for maintaining an edge.
Stitchawl