DMT Diasharp Durability + Freehand Success! Part 2 added.

CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

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Oct 23, 2010
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I just bought two DMT stones, the coarse and extra fine. The course has broken in nicely, and seems to be working well. I can't tell what the EF is doing. It almost looks like I am stripping the EF stone of the diamonds in some spots. Almost like I have "scratched" the diamonds off. I am not using hardly any pressure, so am I just being paranoid?


The second part of my post is somewhat of a boast. I FINALLY got a hair whittling edge going free hand all the way! I am so excited about it. The edge pro is fun, but getting that sharp of an edge using your hands is another thing altogether.

Here is part 1 of my video, I'll post up part 2 when it's done. Keep in mind I have been free handing less than 2 weeks!


[video=youtube;J4pdj3g3ZDo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4pdj3g3ZDo[/video]

[video=youtube;wQvPlByUvB0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQvPlByUvB0[/video]
 
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It's normal for these hones to develop tracks or streaks with use. Most of that will be metal fines/swarf loading up on the surface. Probably more noticeable on the finer grits, because the grit is so small. The finer hones look more 'shiny' when new, so any new mark or streak on the surface is all-the-more noticeable (like scratching a polished blade; it really stands out). It's also normal for some diamond to come off any of them, more-so when they're new. It's part of the 'break-in' process. But don't worry, there's a LOT more life left in these, even with a little visible wear. If you still have some doubts, rub a piece of glass on the hone, and look for the scratching or frosting effect on the glass.

Clean the hone with some powdered cleanser (Comet/Ajax) and water. Scrub with a toothbrush or something similar. At least some of that perceived 'wear' will likely go away. Some Bar Keepers Friend powder, with water, will really clean up any left-over swarf.

Congrats on the freehand success! :thumbup:
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Thanks Randy! Your sharpening videos are what inspired me to do this. Thanks for teaching me how to free hand!

Between you and Unit I learned fairly quickly.
Click to expand...

You crazy kids! :D

I'm glad the videos helped, I'm sure yours will help people as well. Got to love this interweb thingy :D
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Thanks Randy! Your sharpening videos are what inspired me to do this. Thanks for teaching me how to free hand!

Between you and Unit I learned fairly quickly.
Click to expand...

Don't blame this on me!:D

Thanks for the mention. I am glad things are working out well for you. It is a great feeling when things really click, isn't it?
 
unit said:
Don't blame this on me!:D

Thanks for the mention. I am glad things are working out well for you. It is a great feeling when things really click, isn't it?
Click to expand...

It really is. The only thing I can't do is choose my bevel angle free hand. If I want a certain degree I have to use the wedge. I think that will be how I always do it. Set the bevel the first time with the wedge, then any other time I sharpen I can just match that angle.

Thanks again for that great tool.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
It really is. The only thing I can't do is choose my bevel angle free hand. If I want a certain degree I have to use the wedge. I think that will be how I always do it. Set the bevel the first time with the wedge, then any other time I sharpen I can just match that angle.

Thanks again for that great tool.
Click to expand...

I think there would be very very few people that can free hand a preselected angle (unless that angle is 15 per side...and even then, they would be +- a few degrees). That said, it is pretty rare that you will want to go too far outside the box. For example: a lot of guys will take a Strider down to 30 (inc), or a ZDP blade down to 20(inc), but very few people are justified in using more than a hand full of angles. It is a fun exercise to play around with some radical angles once in a while though;)

You are quite welcome. I think you will find it pretty useful on longer jobs. Enjoy!
 
These "scratch marks" show up on the finer DMT stones, but I don't think it has anything to do with missing diamonds. I've been using my EF for some 2-2.5 years now, and it's all scratched up, but it sharpens knives just fine.
 
Yes mine are pretty well covered with the "scratches", but they are only visible when the angle of light is just right.

At this angle you can see a few fresh ones. I feared the first few that appeared the day I got my DMTs (years ago)...If anything, these hones have improved with use.

My oldest DMT is well over 20 years old and still going strong;)
 

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This is a different version of UNIT sharpening stand. It works well for me. I've used Stainless Steel hinge, and Stainless screws, and stainless cotter pins, as well as some Plactic decking so that water will have no effect on it.

Now i can keep my stones clean while sharpening

Every set of holes increase the angle of 2 degrees, starting at 8 degrees.

Very easy to make, and it sure made a difference in my sharpening.
Regards,
John
 
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Great videos! I really enjoyed watching them both. Great job with the edge too! Awesome work.
David
 
I apologize if it was mentioned in the video, but I don't have audio right now. Are these the 8" or 6" stones?
 
CTS, you mentioned you were using the triangular hones temporarliy until other equipment came in. Will you do a follow-up vid with then?
David
 
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Great vid man.

I got one of those water stone holders for maybe 20 bucks. Works awesome with the dmt's and will probably hold your spyderco stones which will alow you to free up your guide hand if you wanted.

Also, if you get tired of the small width of the ceramic rods you'll be set up to hold a larger water stone and not get blade scratches by flicking off the edge of the tiny spyderco ceramic rod.
 
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