coarse or extra coarse DMT?

Z

ziptrickhead

Joined
Sep 1, 2004
Messages
490
Well I finally decided to get a DMT benchstone. I'll be using this mainly to reprofile and remove damage to the edge (such as nicks) or just sharpening something completely dull like a new cheap machete. Right after this grit I'll be moving the knife to a spyderco ceramic medium. So will the coarse grit do or should I get the extra coarse? I'm a bit worried that the jump from extra coarse to spyderco medium will be too much. Also, while I know DMT makes great products, would the extra coarse wear out a lot faster than the coarse? I would love to get a whole set from extra extra coarse to extra extra fine but I just dont have the funds for that now.
 
I have done quite a bit of reprofiling/repair on a DMT coarse benchstone, including S30V, 440V, BG-42 and D2. I actually prefer it to the extra-coarse for most work, and the finish it leaves shouldn't give you any problems going on to the medium ceramic.

As for how fast they wear out, if you follow the instructions, use VERY LIGHT pressure and let the diamonds do the work, they don't wear out. If you bear down hard trying to remove steel fast, the extra-coarse wears out faster than the coarse (voice of experience). The larger diamonds have more leverage to cut their way out of the nickel matrix used to bond them to the base plate.
 
Thanks! Thats kinda what I figured. I guess I'll just go with the coarse then unless someone else has a reason for me to not too..... I even thought about getting the extra extra coarse but I decided against it since I don't feel that its worth the money.
 
It also depends on how much of a hurry you are in, and how large the blade is.
Diamonds cut really quickly and even my coarse DMT will make a big difference on a 5 inch blade in 10 or 15 minutes easy work.
Greg
 
I would skip both and get the xx-coarse, if you are removing damage then go as coarse as possible. If you are concerned about jumping grits then do not go all the way to the edge.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
I would skip both and get the xx-coarse, if you are removing damage then go as coarse as possible. If you are concerned about jumping grits then do not go all the way to the edge.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

+1, the D8XX devours steel. I do have a DMT X coarse and coarse, but for reprofiling or damage repair the XX coarse is my go to.

Mike
 
Cliff Stamp said:
I would skip both and get the xx-coarse, if you are removing damage then go as coarse as possible. If you are concerned about jumping grits then do not go all the way to the edge.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

agree 100%...the XX is an animal. Great for making zero grind knives and reprofiling. I got to dmt coarse, fine and then superfine after that.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
I would skip both and get the xx-coarse, if you are removing damage then go as coarse as possible. If you are concerned about jumping grits then do not go all the way to the edge.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

I'm a bit curious here. If I am trying to repair a chipped edge, and I am concerned about going from XX coarse diamond to medium ceramic, how do I remove the chips without going all the way to the edge?
 
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