Difference Between DMT Sharpeners?

L

Lock1454

Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
885
Hi all,

So I wanted to pick up a decent sharpening system that takes the guess work out of it (until I get good with free handing :P), and I came upon the DMT sharpeners. They seem to be a good choice and reasonable prices - but I'm not sure what the difference between the two are?

http://www.knifeworks.com/dmtdeluxealignerkit4stones.aspx
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=DMTDMGEF

I know the Aligner comes with an extra stone, but beyond that I really don't know / can't tell what/if any differences are... Any ideas? Suggestions as to which to get?

Quicker replies would be great, as I was hoping to place the order tonight ;D

Thanks!
 
Get the one from Knifecenter.com it uses the diafold stones. This set-up is real nice because you can use the stones with the system or freehand without the guide, and their good for hunting, camping, fishing..... because you can fold them up and put em in you pocket.

You can also use the clamp with benchstones, it really is one of the best sharpeners you can get. Make sure to get the other grit diafolds so you can sharpen any knife no matter how dull. :thumbup:

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=DMTfwcx
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=DMTFWEEE
 
Wow, I can't believe I didn't see the difference in the stones >.< lol, rather disappointed in myself now =P

Kinda wish the KW one was better =P Placing an order there for some knives, now I'll have to pay for shipping from KC too, gah! =P

Thanks for the quick response :)

Edit: $30 for each extra stone? Oh good grief =(
 
You will like it trust me, IMO the diafolds are the best sharpening tool on the market. They are very nice for sharpening freehand and learning to sharpen freehand too.

The extra stones are not really cheap but they are a must have and still cheaper than any other system.
 
I may grab the coarse/xcoarse stone and perhaps hold off on the xxfine combo for now. I mean, I doubt I'll need THAT great of an edge... Although, would the xxfine allow me to do a mirror polished edge? ... Oh dear, my sharpening system is going to be more expensive than my total knife collection >.<
 
The XX-fine will get you close, it starts giving the edge a slight mirror look but to actually get the mirror look you will need to strop with micro abrasive compound. The XX-fine will give you a edge sharp enough to whittle hair though.
 
Oh dear, my sharpening system is going to be more expensive than my total knife collection
Click to expand...

Looks like you need more knives then. :D
 
Well then... Hair whittling is always fine, one true great American past time if you ask me! :P The affordable $40-55 sharpening system just turned into a major investment >.<

Would the Xfine give me a very good edge, or is it really kind of necessary to go to the xxfine? I know the xxfine will be that much better, but would the xfine still leave me with a nice edge? Which stone would get me to shaving sharp? :P
 
I should just take out a student loan and toss $5k down on knives :P But until I get stupid enough to do that, I'll stay on my current path of purchasing (which has actually been about $700 since December... but that was on all cool EDC stuff, not solely knives).
 
The fine stone will give you a very sharp and shaving edge, the X-fine takes it a little further (hair popping) and gives it a slight polish. For now getting the system and the extra diafold C/XC and holding off on the XX-fine would be ok. It will get your knives plenty sharp.


P.S. don't get the single sided diafolds they dont work with this system.
 
Fine = hair shaving, xfine = hair popping (hair goes boom?), xxfine = ... Erm - shinier?

And yep, just have the double sided diafolds in the cart :)
 
hair popping= when the edge touches the hair instead of it just cutting it will pop up in the air and go flying. :D
 
If you really want to save some money, only order the DMT Aligner without the stones, and use it with ordinary wet/dry sandpaper. Keep the paper flat on the table and run the aligner guides along side off the paper so as not to wear them down. Although silicon carbide paper doesn't cut as quickly as the diamond stones (it might take 20 minutes to sharpen your knife instead of ten...) the wet/dry paper is only a few cents a sheet, can be found in grits from 80 (too coarse for anything other than a guillotine,) more usable 120 (good for re-profiling,) 220, 340, 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, 2,000, and 4,000. Then you can get the polishing films at 8,000, 10,000, and 15,000. Buy five sheets of each and still spend less than the cost of one diamond stone.

I think the Aligner costs about $10 USD. All these sheets of sandpaper should run another $5 or $10. Use the rest of the money that you were going to spend on stones and buy all of us ice cream cones!

Stitchawl
 
Another thought... Just a little trick I figured out after waaaay too long thinking...

The DMT Aligners is great for thicker blades. Hunting knives, large folders, etc. But for very thin delicate blades it's hard to get it to grip firmly enough. You can't tighten down the adjustment screw enough. But if you look 'inside' the clamp you'll notice that the adjustment screw bottoms into a depression. When trying to clamp a small thin blade, back the screw out and place a coin or other flat solid item over the depression. This will give you another 1/4 inch of adjustment room on the screw. Should be more than enough for even the small pen blade of an SAK.

Stitchawl
 
Nut (or anyone else who may know) - are those two stones you have linked the right ones for this system? They seem to have two different descriptions / sizes (just realized this) O.o
 
Lock1454 said:
Nut (or anyone else who may know) - are those two stones you have linked the right ones for this system? They seem to have two different descriptions / sizes (just realized this) O.o
Click to expand...


I don't see the size difference :confused:


All dia-folds are the same size.
 
Personally, I like the red/blue (fine/coarse) combo, then I move on to ceramic stones. Unless I want a good toothy edge, then I stop at fine.
 
Oh I'm a schmuck, nevermind :) Saw the OAL and closed length right at the beginning of the description for one stone, but not the other... And while tired I just started drawing some assumptions - woopsies :eek:
 
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