8" Duo-sharp Vs 6" Dia-sharp

8

8PowHounD8

Joined
Jul 23, 2016
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After reading some old threads I see most of this forum agrees that the Dia sharp stones are a better quality.

How about an apples to oranges comparison ? Would you still take a smaller Dia stone kit 6" vs a larger Duo stone kit 8" ?

The 6" Dia Stone kit is $90.00 at the moment, and the 8" Duo stone kit is currently $130.00.

Other than my knives I have a couple axes that I would be using the stones for. Most of my knives are under 6".
 
I have used both and prefer the 8" myself. My first Extra Fine was a 6" and the others were 8" and more expensive. I personally would not use them on the axes or only as the last touch up. Too easy to press too hard and potentially mess up these expensive stones. For the axe and machetes, I mostly use the chisel type diamond sharpeners (a rod shape sort of) that you can pick up at hardware stores.
 
While I'm at it I might as well ask the forum which one would be preferred to couple with one of these sharpening kits:

a traditional double sided strop

or

a knife plus strop block
 
8PowHounD8 said:
After reading some old threads I see most of this forum agrees that the Dia sharp stones are a better quality.

How about an apples to oranges comparison ? Would you still take a smaller Dia stone kit 6" vs a larger Duo stone kit 8" ?

The 6" Dia Stone kit is $90.00 at the moment, and the 8" Duo stone kit is currently $130.00.

Other than my knives I have a couple axes that I would be using the stones for. Most of my knives are under 6".
Click to expand...

what is included in each kit? two stones of single side or one double sided stone (I guess plus a base)?
 
Each kit has two double sided stones ExCourse - ExFine.

The 6" Dia Sharp kit has the little wooden box. The 8" Duo Sharp kit has the plastic base with the handle on the back.
 
if you dont plan to sharpen large fixed blades and kitchen knives, i.e., mainly for folders, the 6" dia sharp would be a better choice for me. Otherwise, the 6" would be a bit too small.
 
The fine and coarse DMT Duo Sharp I believe is the most popular one. I bought a fine and extra fine 8" at Blade this year (yep, $130). Fine is the most used. The reason was I suspected that I ruined my first fine side pressing too hard on my original kit purchase (a number of years ago at Blade for $100), so I wanted something to compare. Once you have the base, you don't need to buy more. For most folders, I don't use the base anyway and sharpen on my leg for support. Probably not as a controlled situation but for touch ups especially, it works okay.
 
For bigger grinding & bevel-setting tasks, a bigger hone is a plus, and the Duo-Sharp hones are great for this. For finishing tasks, especially at higher EF/EEF grit levels, the Dia-Sharp hones leave a very, very consistent finish. Additionally, because refining tasks don't carry the same need for heavy metal removal, even smaller hones can still work just fine for finishing; even down to credit card-sized hones.

I have both a Duo-Sharp 8" hone in C/F, and two of the 6" double-sided Dia-Sharp hones in XC/C and F/EF. I use them as described above, for the most part. The 6" Dia-Sharps are plenty large enough for pocket/folding knives in particular, anywhere up to ~ 6" blade length or so. So, I sometimes use the 6" XC/C Diasharp hone for heavier grinding on those blades.


David
 
My largest fixed blade is about 6", and I have a machete, but dont mind having to work harder on the one exception to the collection.
 
As mentioned earlier, I'd also not use diamond hones for grinding axes. As much metal as is removed, and at the relative softness of the steel, I'd be somewhat concerned about clogging the hone very quickly. This is what I've noticed on grinding similar tools, like pruner blades also relatively soft, using a diamond hone.

I'd think a coarse file (mill bastard file), or a 'puck' type stone in SiC, or a coarse SiC bench stone, might be better for axes and similar tools. Perhaps for the machete as well, also pretty 'soft' most of the time.


David
 
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I think you are talking about diff between continuous and interrupted diamonds, not sure of their branding. If so, just my opinion but I like the interrupted diamond better. I have the continuous in XXC, C, and interrupted in F, XF, all 8 , and for my style of sharpening, I like the feedback and seemingly more aggressive cut of the interrupted diamond better. Also seems like they wear better to me.
 
Only one my diamond plates is interrupted.
I don't like it and will never get another, regardless of size.
 
I have great luck with the ubiquitous harbor freight 1X30 belt grinder for axes. If you buy it on sale and buy 30 bucks worth of decent
Belts from one of our sponsors you are good shape for pretty short money. I have some nice axes and have no problem maintaining them on the good ol' HF.
Russ
 
8PowHounD8 said:
After reading some old threads I see most of this forum agrees that the Dia sharp stones are a better quality.

How about an apples to oranges comparison ? Would you still take a smaller Dia stone kit 6" vs a larger Duo stone kit 8" ?

The 6" Dia Stone kit is $90.00 at the moment, and the 8" Duo stone kit is currently $130.00.

Other than my knives I have a couple axes that I would be using the stones for. Most of my knives are under 6".
Click to expand...

As with other responses, for axes or machetes I wouldn't reach for a diamond plate. A file works great and is easily followed by one of the Norton or Lansky pucks, or any combination stone followed by some honing compound. All depends on if this is for maintaining on a trail or around the house.

I like the duo sharp over the dia sharp. IMHO the Duo sharp come with a better surface out of the box IMHO, are lighter weight, grind just as fast. The interrupted surface of the duosharp is a slight plus as well, or at the least is not a negative, though have had issues with some of DMTs interrupted surface regular bench stones.
 
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