Anyone used DMT's Deluxe Aligner Kit?

L

LukeC

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
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I'm just a beginger at this sharpening thing, and like the idea of diamond sharpers (quick) and heard DMT makes the best. I also like that you can set 7 different angles, not two like most that I have seen. Is this true, and could a beginger get a consistently sharp edge with this sysetem? Thanks for any info. :)
 
I have one, that is the clamp and rod system, right? The clamp is plastic and Lansky's clamp is better but DMT has the better rod/hone. I do all my sharpening free hand now but these systems really helped me learn how to sharpen well. They do give good results.
 
It's a good choice. If you want to go with a finer hone you can always order any of the Lansky hones. Just make sure you also order a gide rod too. The lansky and DMT clamps and hones are interchangable with each other. edit...to add, It may be worth looking for a Lansky system at any sporting good store they can be picked up pretty cheap in some places. $20.00 When I used mine I'd use the Lansky clamp and both the DMT and Lansky hones.
 
DMT now offers an ultra-fine/super fine ceramic hone at 7 micron/2200 grit. It is available as an add-on for the Deluxe Aligner kit or as a double-sided Diafold hone.
 
TedGamble said:
Best clamp/guide going is the Razor Edge system.
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Provided you understand how to use it properly.

This is true of all sharpener kits and is also why practiced hands with nothing more than a good stone and a strop can out-sharpen a newbie with any kit, any time.

20 bucks, 75 bucks, 150 bucks, 300 bucks, whatever. It doesn't matter how much it cost, you really have to understand what you're doing for best results. Some systems do a better job of controlling variables than others, but still depend on the user to set up properly for the given task.

How many times have you read posts from a Sharpmaker owner wondering why it "won't sharpen knife X"? Chances are, it ain't the sharpener that's the problem, it's the user.
 
Hey Ted, can you tell us more about the Razor's Edge system? Your views on the stones, etc. Alan
 
I already had my own stones, but I use both of their clamps. They are fool-proof. I am an "old school" type of guy, so I used their clamps on my DMT Dia-Sharp and Arkansas benchstones. The only draw-back is that it takes a couple of minutes to attach the clamp to the blade, and you have to be careful to place it in the same position the next time you use it on the same blade. The clamps are fabulous for anyone who has never used benchstones to train your arms and wrists in the proper position and technique.

http://www.razoredgesystems.com/
 
Alan, if you use the clamps as described below, you will only experience minimal wear on them.

When I use them, I use the following technique. Let's start with the knife handle to the left..
I hold the knife handle with a relaxed grip in my right hand.
I rest my heel of left hand on the clamp, with my finger tips resting on the blade.
I use my left hand to guide the blade down the stone, and use my right hand to keep the blade perpendicular to the direction of travel.
I apply downward pressure on the blade with my fingertips. I try not to apply pressure directly on the clamp. (This puts the force where you want it - on the blade and not the clamp.)

To do the reverse side of the edge, instead of pulling the blade towards me, I flip the knife over and place the handle in my left hand and use my right hand to hold the clamp and blade. The technique from here is the same as before, except for the fact that you have switched hands.

The clamp does slide down the stone, but I try not to exert any more pressure than necessary to it directly. The clamps are heavy duty metal, so they will not wear down very quickly. With the technique that I described, I expect that they'll last forever (or at least through my lifetime anyway).
 
Provided you understand how to use it properly.

This is true of all sharpener kits and is also why practiced hands with nothing more than a good stone and a strop can out-sharpen a newbie with any kit, any time.
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I totally agree. That's reason that I prefer the Razor Edge clamps over all of the other high-tech stuff (although I do love my Sharpmaker for simplicity and touch-ups). The R/E clamps allow newbies to practice the "old school" technique on a benchstone, but they greatly assist in developing the most difficult part of using benchstones, which is maintaining a consistent angle. Pick an angle, any angle, but as you and I both know, if you can't reproduce that angle with each stroke, you're wasting your time. This is where the R/E clamps earn their keep.
 
"
Ted said...
part of using benchstones, which is maintaining a consistent angle. Pick an angle, any angle, but as you and I both know, if you can't reproduce that angle
with each stroke, you're wasting your time. This is where the R/E clamps earn their keep.


I don't agree. You don't need to keep an angle to get a sharp edge. In fact when you don't your putting on a convex edge, which is a very sharp edge. I'd say the biggest problem most have sharpening isn't angle control at all. Either they aren't doing enough coarse grinding work and or are raiseing the spine up too much making a very large finnal edge angle. Get a good coarse ground edge without a burr and the rest is a piece of cake depending on how much polish you like. Get it sharp first, then work on it looking pretty as well as sharp.
 
Thanks for the follow-up, Ted. Luke, I used a Lansky for a long time. If the DMT works as good as the Lanksy, it's a good unit, especially at its pricepoint. Alan
 
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