DMT continuous break in

[Talley1013]

Hey,
I just got home and had a package waiting for me with a set of 4 8" DMT continuous stones. I have read that the DMT stones require a break in period before they reach full potential. What can I do to break them in quickly? With the EF and EC stones I can really feel "bumps" in the surface of the stone. It feels like there are bits of diamond scattered over the stone that are sticking up higher than the surrounding surface. Some of them are high enough to actually stop the knife on the stone. I would appreciate any help you guys can give me. I am very eager to put these new stones to use!

ET

 

[Jameson]

Grab a thick german kitchen knife and use them "whetstone" style, which to me means a rubbing both ways as shown by murray carter. You can use water if you want, I personally do not. The reason I suggest a LARGE THICK GERMAN/EURO style knife is that you will have ALOT OF METAL to grind away at first if.

If you get one or two dull knives to hair shaving sharp, the stone should be broken in depending on how much metal your removing. I also suggest wiping the stone with a damp cloth every twenty or so passes, sometimes less. I wipe it every two passes (on the extra fine) when i am coming towards the end of my sharpening/micro-bevel. Make sure your technique and angle holding capabilities are good.

Don't overlook holding the blade on the table "watanabe" style and brushing the edge. There is a video of it here or on knifeforums. That can work very well as you can really feel and see what is going on throughout the process.

JC

 

[kelbro]

The shank of a philips screwdriver works great.

 

[eKretz]

Using any piece of steel to break in the stones will work. Hardened steel works better than soft. I used hardened steel blocks from old machining toolholders to break mine in. About 15 minutes apiece did the trick for me. Some advocate very lightly rubbing the stones against each other, but I would avoid that if you can use steel instead.

I often use a water drip when using my diamond stones, it helps to keep the stones clear of swarf/shavings. I just hang a water bottle over the stone with a hole poked in the bottom.

 

[Jason B.]

I wouldn't worry too much about the break-in, be patient and it will happen. There will be two stages of break-in, the first is the removal of excess diamonds that makes the cutting action smoother and scratch pattern brighter. The second is the long term break-in, over the next few years (especially the fine grade of stones) the stones will continue to break-in making ever sharper edges and better scratch patterns. It is important to use as much of the stone as possible to evenly wear the stones, if not you will have stones that work better in specific sections (the spots that are more used).

If the blade is being stopped by the diamonds on the stone you are USING TOO MUCH PRESSURE. The weight of the blade and less is all that is needed, more pressure is truly counter productive with the use of diamond stones and will damage them.