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DMT Extra-Medium Fine

Discussion in 'Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment' started by Ourorboros, Apr 11, 2019.

  1. Apr 11, 2019 #1
    Ourorboros

    Ourorboros

    276
    Jan 23, 2017
    Do any of you have experience with this stone? Is it a necessary or good stage between DMT's extra fine and extra extra fine?
    I'm just not fully comfortable with how I handle the belly to tip section of a blade while stropping, so I'm looking at these options.
     
  2. Apr 11, 2019 #2
    Blues

    Blues Lapsed SuperMod / Cattle Knife Rustler Staff Member Super Mod

    23,500
    Oct 2, 1998
    I've personally not bothered picking one up and have read mixed opinions on whether it's a necessary purchase. On paper it seems to make sense going from 9 microns (EF) down to 6 (MEF) down to 3 (EE), but I'm not sure that it is for practical purposes.

    At this point in time, the MEF is the only DMT grit I don't currently own (aside from their ceramics).

    Definitely be interesting to hear from others, both pro and con.
     
    Chris "Anagarika" likes this.
  3. Apr 11, 2019 #3
    Obsessed with Edges

    Obsessed with Edges

    11,495
    Apr 12, 2009
    I've never felt a need for an in-between grit, between the DMT EF (9µ) and the EEF (3µ). I've always been impressed at how efficient DMT's 3µ products are (both hones and strop paste) at very quickly cleaning up & refining the scratch pattern coming directly off the EF hone. In fact, in using DMT's Dia-Pastes, I've also seen little need to use the EEF hone (3µ), before stropping with the 3µ Dia-Paste, as it raises a high-mirror polish on it's own, right off the EF DMT hone. Important to note, I do this polishing on smooth & firm wood, like basswood.

    Some have commented that the EEF (3µ) hone takes too much 'tooth' out of the edge, in finishing on that hone. It's more a polishing hone, in terms of edge finish. I could conceive, if one were looking for an alternative to the EEF for a little more 'bite', then the 6µ hone might be worth looking into for it's own finishing characteristic, which might (but I don't know) retain a little bit of tooth in the finish. But I don't see it being necessary as an intermediate step between the EF and EEF.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
    Chris "Anagarika" likes this.
  4. Apr 11, 2019 #4
    Blues

    Blues Lapsed SuperMod / Cattle Knife Rustler Staff Member Super Mod

    23,500
    Oct 2, 1998
    Maybe because my EE bench stone hasn't been used a great deal at this juncture, (compared to the small handheld hone in the same grit I often pick up), but it seems to provide a good balance with a decent amount of bite retained.

    Hard to quantify such and David's point is well taken if one wants a bit more aggression left at the edge.
     
    Chris "Anagarika" likes this.
  5. Apr 11, 2019 #5
    samuraistuart

    samuraistuart KnifeMaker / Craftsman / Service Provider Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider

    2,931
    Dec 21, 2006
    You might contact Cliff Stamp, or check out his forum "Towards .1 micron". Seems like he used that intermediate DMT stone and liked it, and had a video and/or write up about it.
     
    Chris "Anagarika" likes this.
  6. Apr 11, 2019 #6
    Bill3152

    Bill3152

    239
    Nov 27, 2018
    I bought it long time ago. Used to use it for bevels on some stupid hard straight razors. Ive used it on knives as well. It works great. Lately though ive come to realize that i prefer a working edge. But nothing to complain about on this one.
     
    Chris "Anagarika" and epochelyptikal like this.
  7. Apr 12, 2019 #7
    PeterS84

    PeterS84 Sharpening addict, collector of "super steels" Gold Member

    225
    May 9, 2018
    I've never had trouble jumping down from the EF to the EEF even on the more wear-resistant/high vanadium steels. Might take an extra minute or two if you're worried about the aesthetic/polish of the blade, but not too much extra work. Just did this with a Manly Wasp S90V and it's quite sharp and well polished.
     
    Blues and Chris "Anagarika" like this.
  8. Apr 13, 2019 #8
    Chris "Anagarika"

    Chris "Anagarika"

    4,602
    Mar 7, 2001
    No issue jumping from EF, even the EEF still leave scratches that can be visually detected and some bite. If finer is needed, I go to Spyderco UF (rated 3µ, but finer IME).
     
    Blues likes this.

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