DMT Magna-Guide concerns

[KarlMaldensNose]

DISCLAIMER: This is not a whine and cheese party. I'm here to ask a couple questions about a product, and that's it. No individual or company shall herein be slighted, slandered or defamed.

(I hate that I need to start off these kinds of threads like that.)

I've noticed a few troubling things with my kinda new Magna-Guide system. I actually noticed them within 24 hours of opening the box, but I was too excited to bother with this sort of post then. I've been using it for awhile now and haven't gotten the kind of results I had heard about and was hoping for. I'm simply wondering if anyone else has experienced any of the problems I'm about to describe.

What's especially concerning to me is that the metal arm rod was slightly bent right of the box. At first it only looked like a minor side-to-side kink, which shouldn't have affected the results it gave. But something is going on that is preventing smooth bevels. I'm using consistent, long, sweeping motions, so the unevenness shouldn't be happening because of the common user error of short, choppy movements.

Another point of concern is with the extra-coarse diafold. Instead of being uniform and smooth, it has a small peak in one spot and the perimeter of it is a bit raised and more jagged/rough than the rest of the surface. I know an extra-coarse diamond surface isn't supposed to be "smooth", but the surface is far from uniform. The little piece jutting ot of one area is especially problematic. It's not every day that the extra-coarse side is used, but when it is, it is very important to establish a flat, uniform bevel at that stage. A mistake at the extra-coarse level fouls the rest of the steps.

Compounding the problem with the extra-coarse diafold is the issue with the plastic sleeve/handle being too tight. I have to forcefully push or pull it over the diamond surface when I open and close it. It is beyond just "snug". I fear it may be ripping out diamonds from the nickel backing, or at the very least shearing them off or rounding/smoothing them. The other Diafold in the set, fine/extra-fine, has no such problem; it opens and closes with minimal contact between plastic and diamonds.

I haven't replaced my busted camera yet so unfortunately pictures are not possible. But I don't want to turn this into a condemning thread with pics as "evidence" and accusations and so on. I'm not trying to proove anything to anyone. I'm just sharing my experience with this product and wondering if anyone else has encountered similar issues. It's too late to do anything about it, anyway. And I'm not sure I even want to do anything about it. I'll probably just toss it to the side of all my gear and write it off as a failed experiment. Plus, I'm getting very good results with learning to freehand sharpen on a benchstone, so it's not like I actually need the Magna-Guide. It just would've been nice to have for setting flat and even bevels before I take a knife to the stones. And I can still use the other three Diafold grits freehand without the guide and rod arm. Thanks for reading.

 

[DNK]

Just got mine a few days ago and have used it twice. I did not use the extra coarse, but did use the coarse. I ddidn't have any problems. I just took them out to examine the surfaces and I did not notice any of the issues you mentioned. I doubt that the plastic in the handles is going to do anything to the diamond surface or the steel bed. But, if it is uneven and you are concerned about the edge it will give, then you might try it on an old steak knife or other utility blade. If it gives you any problem, call the company and then send it back.

 

[Jason B.]

I'd call DMT, the rod shouldn't be bent and the diafold shouldn't be that stiff and rubbing on the handle.


Diamond stones when new cut really coarse and don't leave a very even scratch pattern. Irregular scratch patterns are normal at first until break-in is complete. You will know when the stone is broke-in as it will start to cut smoother, the scratch pattern evens out, and the finish switches from a dull scratch to a shiny/reflective scratch.

Contact DMT or the dealer you purchased from and exchange or replace the items that appear to be defective and you should be good to go.

 

[kelbro]

Mine is also hard to open but I never thought about plastic affecting diamonds. It will eventually loosen up.

I had a high spot or two on some of mine. I have been using DMT for a long time and the first thing that I do on all of their products is give them a good thrashing with the shank of a philips screwdriver. Had to do that on several of their 'stones' to get them smooth. Less than a minutes work and never looked back. I just consider it a minor inconvenience. Yes, they should do that at the factory but oh well. I have seen it more on the EF and EEF 'stones'.

My concern is a little different. I think that the longer lever (opposed to their other system) may cause a user to apply too much force to the edge. I like the other system a little better but the duofolds still have a place in my arsenal.