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DMT Aligner
- Thread starter Kaj
- Start date
Kaj,
I got a DMT Aligner and a Gatco system, and all I know is that DMT makes better diamond stones. You can adjust the angle in 7 steps. BUT, the plastic clamp sucks. In my case, the screw at times untighten itself, making it unsecure. Also the clamp will only stick about 2 mm on your blade's spine. Right now, the only way I'll use my DMT Aligner is by using a Lansky clamp.
Now about the Apex. My brother has one and IMO it's one of the best sharpening system out there now. AFAIK, Ben Dale doesn't supply diamond stones for his systems, but you can ask him for extra supplies to make your own Apex diamond system.
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Reynaert
Fayetteville, AR
I got a DMT Aligner and a Gatco system, and all I know is that DMT makes better diamond stones. You can adjust the angle in 7 steps. BUT, the plastic clamp sucks. In my case, the screw at times untighten itself, making it unsecure. Also the clamp will only stick about 2 mm on your blade's spine. Right now, the only way I'll use my DMT Aligner is by using a Lansky clamp.
Now about the Apex. My brother has one and IMO it's one of the best sharpening system out there now. AFAIK, Ben Dale doesn't supply diamond stones for his systems, but you can ask him for extra supplies to make your own Apex diamond system.
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Reynaert
Fayetteville, AR
- Joined
- Feb 20, 1999
- Messages
- 1,284
Same here with Root.. Bought the aligner, used it once only. I ended up using the diamond stones for freehand sharpening instead. The plastic clamp doesn't hold onto the knife well, and that one time I used it, the thing popped off with a loud snapping sound from the blade. It left me with a dumbfounded look with the blade in one hand, and the hone in the other.
It also can't hold onto a blade spine that has designs, or is bevelled. Arghh....
Frantium, I believe you can use EZE-LAP diamond hones for the Apex. At least that's what I read before.
Dan
It also can't hold onto a blade spine that has designs, or is bevelled. Arghh....
Frantium, I believe you can use EZE-LAP diamond hones for the Apex. At least that's what I read before.
Dan
Hi guys!
Am I the only one who likes this?
The stones are very good indeed. But be sure to get the medium or coarse stone also (or all 4). I got a set with fine and x-fine, but that's not enough. They give a perfect finish though.
There are a few things wrong with the aligner. First the screw does have a tendency to come of. But it's not a big deal to me as I usually hold it so that my fingers touch it and prevent it from turning. But the screw is a bit too long. If you have a small folder you can't use the lowest angle for it. But then again you would be sharpening it to something like 12 degrees or so (from memory). You would not want that. It also doesn't fit over thick knives, but I've not seen a folder that would have too thick blade for it. So hasn't been a problem to me.
Bigger blades? Well they might be too thick, but larger (than 4-5") blades have the same problem as the other Lansky -type clamps have. The angle varies a lot between the middle of the blade (where the aligner is set) and the other ends. So it's not a good for large knives anyways. Same applies to other Lansky -type systems.
The angles are not indicated... well the angle changes according to the width of the blade anyways. The angle would not be the indicated. You can of course calculate/measure the correct angle for all your knives. This is what I do.
It's 'plastic'... it still seems durable enough. At least in my use I've had no problems. It doesn't leave any marks on the blade, so you can also use it easily on more expensive knives that you don't want to scratch. Of course in Lansky you can put some paper in between the clamp and the blade... but then it's not that secure either - it may fall off.
For small knives I would say that it's one of the best systems. The aligner is not without faults, but the stones are. You can get much better polished finish with DMT aligner kit than with Spyderco. And for controlling the angle the aligner is much better/easier. But for longer knives, use Spyderco.
Hugo.
Am I the only one who likes this?
The stones are very good indeed. But be sure to get the medium or coarse stone also (or all 4). I got a set with fine and x-fine, but that's not enough. They give a perfect finish though.
There are a few things wrong with the aligner. First the screw does have a tendency to come of. But it's not a big deal to me as I usually hold it so that my fingers touch it and prevent it from turning. But the screw is a bit too long. If you have a small folder you can't use the lowest angle for it. But then again you would be sharpening it to something like 12 degrees or so (from memory). You would not want that. It also doesn't fit over thick knives, but I've not seen a folder that would have too thick blade for it. So hasn't been a problem to me.
Bigger blades? Well they might be too thick, but larger (than 4-5") blades have the same problem as the other Lansky -type clamps have. The angle varies a lot between the middle of the blade (where the aligner is set) and the other ends. So it's not a good for large knives anyways. Same applies to other Lansky -type systems.
The angles are not indicated... well the angle changes according to the width of the blade anyways. The angle would not be the indicated. You can of course calculate/measure the correct angle for all your knives. This is what I do.
It's 'plastic'... it still seems durable enough. At least in my use I've had no problems. It doesn't leave any marks on the blade, so you can also use it easily on more expensive knives that you don't want to scratch. Of course in Lansky you can put some paper in between the clamp and the blade... but then it's not that secure either - it may fall off.
For small knives I would say that it's one of the best systems. The aligner is not without faults, but the stones are. You can get much better polished finish with DMT aligner kit than with Spyderco. And for controlling the angle the aligner is much better/easier. But for longer knives, use Spyderco.
Hugo.
- Joined
- May 19, 1999
- Messages
- 223
I get great results with my DMT setup.It does have its limitations but it works great on the knives I use it on.
troy
troy