DMT Deluxe Aligner

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ridethepony14

Joined
May 26, 2013
Messages
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Anyone ever use this system before. It looks like a good deal for under $50. I already have a Sharpmaker for maintaining my edges, but i'd like something to reprofile if need be (without dropping 100's of $ on a wicked edge). I've tried the Lansky system, but the oil stones get and constant adjustments get annoying, not to mention that i can never get a constant edge. Let me know what you think?
 
I have one and I think it works pretty well and is a good system for the price. The angle adjustment is a bit crude but I have an idea for modifying mine if I want finer adjustments. I have reprofiled a number of knives and I can get a very sharp edge with it. I created a strop attachment for mine by cutting a piece of wood the same size as one of the stones, gluing a piece of leather to it and coating it with some compound that I had.
 
I have one. The clamp is pretty mediocre but the stones are great. You can actually buy them separately and use a pin to attach them to a sharpmaker and reprofile that way. For $50 I'd say get two of each of the xxc and coarse stones and use the sharpmaker to reprofile. The. There's no guesswork with it matching the sharpmakers angles.
 
I use this system,easy with a small learning curve.Could not get on with the sharpmaker.
 
I've got one and it works fine except you have to hold it in your hand the whole time you're working through the various stones. Ok for the occasional reprofile, but if you want to do thirty knives, you might want to get a wicked edge.
 
I often use it to reprofile a blade, but I use it with the extra coarse stones for that. I also use it without its own stones, running the guides along the desk and the edge on bench stones. Great way to get a smaller angle setting and a nice way to be able to use other stones. This is my camping system too... just the clamp and a few sheets of wet/dry sandpaper. Weighs nothing and works well.


Stitichawl
 
The plastic bit works great to align a knife for sharpening on a benchstone as well (which is what I do when I am re-profiling one. It also helps to learn how to hold a proper angle for free-hand sharpening.). If it were me I'd buy a nice benchstone and just the plastic bit and learn to sharpen that way.
 
I have one and like it, but you have to be careful not to shear off the little plastic nubs that position one of the pieces into the other to set an angle. I had to buy a replacement piece. I glued the broken one to make a permanent angle setting. This isn't clear the way I describe it, but when you study the parts you'll get it.

I also have a database of my knives, and I include data to save the alignment tool angle setting position (1 through 7) for each knife. Saves reinventing the wheel each time I sharpen that knife.
 
The DMT Aligner or the Magna Guide system, is the best bang for the buck, and great in the field (try lugging your WEPS out there). I own the Sharpmaker, Lansky, Edge Pro and Wicked Edge. Only one I haven't tried is the new Ken Onion Work Sharp.
 
blacksheep25 said:
The DMT Aligner or the Magna Guide system, is the best bang for the buck, and great in the field (try lugging your WEPS out there). I own the Sharpmaker, Lansky, Edge Pro and Wicked Edge. Only one I haven't tried is the new Ken Onion Work Sharp.
Click to expand...

Would you say that the DMT system is better than the Lansky?
 
ridethepony14 said:
Would you say that the DMT system is better than the Lansky?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that, but I would say that I gave away my Lansky and my GATCO very soon after getting the DMT Aligner. Although the clamps for the first two are made of metal, and the DMT's are plastic, I prefer the versatility of the DMT. Add to that the fact that despite being plastic, my Aligner clamp has lasted a whole lot of years of serious use, with the only repair being a drop of glue to the screw collar because I used waaay too much torque one day tightening the clamp on an oddly shaped blade.


Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
I wouldn't say that, but I would say that I gave away my Lansky and my GATCO very soon after getting the DMT Aligner. Although the clamps for the first two are made of metal, and the DMT's are plastic, I prefer the versatility of the DMT. Add to that the fact that despite being plastic, my Aligner clamp has lasted a whole lot of years of serious use, with the only repair being a drop of glue to the screw collar because I used waaay too much torque one day tightening the clamp on an oddly shaped blade.


Stitchawl
Click to expand...

ok thanks, this helps a lot!
 
I've been using my Aligner for a few months now and have gotten great results with it. If you want polished edges, you'll have to get a strop or create your own strop attachments like someone mentioned earlier. I made a couple strops this weekend and polished those bad boys up nicely.
 
HotSteel said:
I have one and like it, but you have to be careful not to shear off the little plastic nubs that position one of the pieces into the other to set an angle. I had to buy a replacement piece. I glued the broken one to make a permanent angle setting. This isn't clear the way I describe it, but when you study the parts you'll get it.

I also have a database of my knives, and I include data to save the alignment tool angle setting position (1 through 7) for each knife. Saves reinventing the wheel each time I sharpen that knife.
Click to expand...


My crazy idea was to buy some long eyebolts and slide them through the long holes in the clamp instead of the adjustable pieces it comes with. With a nut on each side of the tube you could have lots of fine adjustability and no worry about it breaking.

The database is a good idea, I've already forgotten the settings I used on my first few knives.
 
It is an excellent system and have used it with great success for many years
Very easy to use with a very short learning curve

I have rebeveled many Queen D2 blades, which is a very tough steel
Buy the Extra Course stone, as most of the work is done there
Then the Course to Extra Fine
 
ridethepony14 said:
Would you say that the DMT system is better than the Lansky?
Click to expand...

Agree with everything stitchawl said. Also, I find that DMT makes the best diamond stones hands down. The metal of the old style lansky clamp has a better feel than the DMT plastic one, but if you're cranking down to get it to grip, you're doing something wrong. Read some reviews of the newer Lansky skeletonized clamp that said it broken easily (versus the older solid one).

Bottom line, I think either DMT kit is the best bang for the buck over the Lansky and the Sharpmaker.
 
Forgot to mention ,I made a blank from a piece of scrap steel and stick 3000 grit edgepro tape on to polish.
 
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