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- Dec 4, 2012
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DMT shaprening steels are diamond coated steels you can use for sharpening, they come in 600 and 1200 grit. What do you think of them? Do you think they could be used for good knife sharpening/ reprofiling?
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DMT Sharpening steels.
- Thread starter ThatsMyKnife
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Don't have one, but here's my take on it.
The biggest (potential) downside I'd see to using a steel-type diamond rod for heavy grinding or reprofiling is, there's limited working surface on these. They would probably work, but I'd bet they'd also wear out quicker, because the working surface and contact area are very narrow. This subjects the knife edge and the diamond to greater contact pressure, which can more easily strip the diamond from the substrate on the rod. Small area of abrasive doing a heavy amount of work, especially if working on more wear-resistant steels (S30V, for example).
For quick touch-ups on knives, these would be fine, and would work very fast. They're designed to put some quick 'teeth' back into an edge, in a minimum of passes. DMT makes great sharpeners, but I think a larger, flat bench hone would always be best for heavy grinding jobs like reprofiling.
David
The biggest (potential) downside I'd see to using a steel-type diamond rod for heavy grinding or reprofiling is, there's limited working surface on these. They would probably work, but I'd bet they'd also wear out quicker, because the working surface and contact area are very narrow. This subjects the knife edge and the diamond to greater contact pressure, which can more easily strip the diamond from the substrate on the rod. Small area of abrasive doing a heavy amount of work, especially if working on more wear-resistant steels (S30V, for example).
For quick touch-ups on knives, these would be fine, and would work very fast. They're designed to put some quick 'teeth' back into an edge, in a minimum of passes. DMT makes great sharpeners, but I think a larger, flat bench hone would always be best for heavy grinding jobs like reprofiling.
David
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- Dec 4, 2012
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What about the DiaFolds?
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For re-bevelling (reprofiling), they work great, especially if used along with the DMT Aligner clamp and the Magna-Guide (which is what makes the Dia-Folds work with the clamp). I've used mine (Coarse/Fine, and EF/EEF) accordingly, and have re-bevelled many folder-sized blades with them. Less danger of the high contact pressure issues I mentioned earlier, on the flat surface of these hones. Just keep pressure light, and they'll last a long while.
David
I used a couple EZE lap steels (a little coarser than the DMT's I think) for years, and still keep them around for touch ups. I agree with David that they aren't the best thing for bringing a really dull or damaged blade to a profile. I probably used them too much when I should have gone back to a coarse oil stone first.