- Joined
- May 28, 1999
- Messages
- 2,606
Was debating whether to put this here or in the reviews section, figured it would be most pertinent here, mods can feel free to move it though.
This is a review of DMT's 325 mesh coarse diamond benchstone, 6 inch model, with the perforations.
Finally decided to actually buy one of DMT's coase stones, previously I had only owned their ultrafine. I needed something as a pre-1000 grit waterstone step and also for extra aggressive edges. I ususally use a cheap carbide stone for this, but I've also been wanting something to flatten my waterstones out, so this was a perfect opportunity.
Out of the box the DMT stone was quite nice, no obvious defects, and included a pretty nice wooden holder with rubber feet. On closer inspection the diamond coating is a little (hardly noticable) at the very end of one side, and you can see electroplating marks or something there, I don't see it affecting the performance of the stone at all so I won't complain.
The grit appears to be almost perfectly uniform, and testing on the flat of a chisel shows a nice even scratch pattern. It appears to remove material at least 2x faster than my 1000 grit shapton, although it's too early to make a judgement at this point. DMT (and all diamond stones to a greater or lesser extent) smooth out a little after the first few knives, then keep that level of agressiveness for most of their life.
I haven't had a chance to use it to flatten my waterstones yet, nor do any serious knife sharpening, but I'll update as soon as I do.
Edit/mini-update: I forgot to add originally, the polycarbonate stone base isn't actually solid, it's hollow, with reinforcing ribs going down the length. I'd estimate the top is a full 1/4 inch thick, with ribs providing rigidity. The polycarbonate material reminds me alot of the Camillus Becker handles, very hard, and makes almost a glasslike sound when tapped, I say almost because the camillus scales ring just like glass would.
This is a review of DMT's 325 mesh coarse diamond benchstone, 6 inch model, with the perforations.
Finally decided to actually buy one of DMT's coase stones, previously I had only owned their ultrafine. I needed something as a pre-1000 grit waterstone step and also for extra aggressive edges. I ususally use a cheap carbide stone for this, but I've also been wanting something to flatten my waterstones out, so this was a perfect opportunity.
Out of the box the DMT stone was quite nice, no obvious defects, and included a pretty nice wooden holder with rubber feet. On closer inspection the diamond coating is a little (hardly noticable) at the very end of one side, and you can see electroplating marks or something there, I don't see it affecting the performance of the stone at all so I won't complain.
The grit appears to be almost perfectly uniform, and testing on the flat of a chisel shows a nice even scratch pattern. It appears to remove material at least 2x faster than my 1000 grit shapton, although it's too early to make a judgement at this point. DMT (and all diamond stones to a greater or lesser extent) smooth out a little after the first few knives, then keep that level of agressiveness for most of their life.
I haven't had a chance to use it to flatten my waterstones yet, nor do any serious knife sharpening, but I'll update as soon as I do.
Edit/mini-update: I forgot to add originally, the polycarbonate stone base isn't actually solid, it's hollow, with reinforcing ribs going down the length. I'd estimate the top is a full 1/4 inch thick, with ribs providing rigidity. The polycarbonate material reminds me alot of the Camillus Becker handles, very hard, and makes almost a glasslike sound when tapped, I say almost because the camillus scales ring just like glass would.
