Are my diamond stones dying?

[brasileiro]

Hey guys.
Today I was sharpening (just touching up) one of my knifes. I was using 600 grit diamond stone and I notice that the bevel is more polished, not mirrored, but more polished than usual. So, my 600 grit stone is just breaking in (softening) or is it close to a game over?

Edit: is a cheap one from DMD not DMT
I did something around 20 knifes 6” blade. And I’m using light to moderate pressure something around 130 to 500 grams of weight.

 

[jpm2]

I suspect it's just wearing down.
I have a 30 year old eze-lap 6x2 fine that's very smooth but still cuts well.
My new 1x4 extra fine is more aggressive, for now.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Depending on the steel being sharpened, it might be getting clogged with swarf. Low-alloy stainless steels can do that, on a diamond hone used dry, in particular. Low-alloy, soft & 'gummy' stainless steel gets cut by diamond into microscopic-sized ribbons of metal, which can blanket the diamond surface and make it lose it's grinding effectiveness. It'll start to feel kind of slick/slippery under the blade, when it starts to clog like that, and the finish produced on the steel will start looking more burnished or polished.

You might scrub the hone thoroughly with a stiff brush and some powdered kitchen cleanser like Comet/Ajax, and water. Then try it again on one of your blades.


David

 

[brasileiro]

Depending on the steel being sharpened, it might be getting clogged with swarf. Low-alloy stainless steels can do that, on a diamond hone used dry, in particular. Low-alloy, soft & 'gummy' stainless steel gets cut by diamond into microscopic-sized ribbons of metal, which can blanket the diamond surface and make it lose it's grinding effectiveness. It'll start to feel kind of slick/slippery under the blade, when it starts to clog like that, and the finish produced on the steel will start looking more burnished or polished.

You might scrub the hone thoroughly with a stiff brush and some powdered kitchen cleanser like Comet/Ajax, and water. Then try it again on one of your blades.


David

The alloy is unknow because is a cheap training knife and I use it dry. I’ll tray cleaning it just like you said. Thanks.

 

[brasileiro]

I suspect it's just wearing down.
I have a 30 year old eze-lap 6x2 fine that's very smooth but still cuts well.
My new 1x4 extra fine is more aggressive, for now.

Wearing down is the word I was looking for. Sorry by my English. Thank you for that.
It cuts but not like brand new one.
Thanks.

 

[David Martin]

I had one that wore down like that as well. Just was no longer cutting like it had a few knives back. I think I sharpened 30 knives on it. DM

 

[brasileiro]

I had one that wore down like that as well. Just was no longer cutting like it had a few knives back. I think I sharpened 30 knives on it. DM

They are cheaper, I believe I pay 14 dollars for 3 stones, 120, 600 and 1000 grit.
I know the longevity is not like lifetime but my intention is to observe the work done by it, observe the durability and learn how to sharpen with diamond stone before using my new DMT. Some times ago I ruined a DMT set of 3 for not knowing how to properly use diamond stones.
I’ll try a very well clean before use for sharpening again and if it is really wearing down I’ll try few more times before use my new set.

 

[microtech85]

on the manual that came with my eze-lap diamond stone, they say to take a glass cup to the stone. according to eze-lap, if the stone cuts into the glass it is still good. The diamond stones take a little while to break in though. So they are rough to being with but then they get smoother after you sharpen around a dozen knives or so.

 

[brasileiro]

on the manual that came with my eze-lap diamond stone, they say to take a glass cup to the stone. according to eze-lap, if the stone cuts into the glass it is still good. The diamond stones take a little while to break in though. So they are rough to being with but then they get smoother after you sharpen around a dozen knives or so.

Thanks micro, I’ll try that too.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Wipe it down with BreakFree CLP and leave it overnight, then wipe dry with a soft cloth to restore the cutting efficiency. You'll be amazed how much swarf is lifted off. I use it whenever my DMT's seem to get loaded up.