DMT sharpening system

intheshaw

intheshaw

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
163
So I already have a Diafold fine/coarse for my field sharpening but I was thinking about getting a somewhat complete stone set of dmt. I'm looking at the 8" plates, one extra coarse/coarse, and the other one fine/extra fine. With base I can find them for about 150 shipped. But I was wondering if its even worth getting the extra coarse, and extra fine. I can get an 8" coarse/fine with base for about 50 bucks. Also is 8" enough or is it worth the extra money to go for 10".

I'm mainly going to be sharpening my hunting knives but also sharpening some kitchen knives. Are there other options out there that are better? Not looking to go to one of those "easy" sharpening systems, I find satisfaction on being able to do things myself.
 
I have four of the 8" diamond stones and one extra extra fine steel plate. Unless you just want a polished edge, the course and fine will get you a very sharp edge.

Problem is, knife nuts typically want that polished edge... then you need extra fine, xx fine, and strops.
 
A coarse/fine combo would be a very good start. That'll get a lot of work done, between those two. Will put some very good edges on all of your knives quickly. If you're like the rest of the sharpening fanatics around here, you'll eventually add other hones to your set, but I think the C/F is probably most useful overall.
 
Big_Red said:
I have four of the 8" diamond stones and one extra extra fine steel plate. Unless you just want a polished edge, the course and fine will get you a very sharp edge.

Problem is, knife nuts typically want that polished edge... then you need extra fine, xx fine, and strops.
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I was going to ask a very similar question in regard to DMT bench stones until the op beat me to it. Seriously! :D
I am also considering either a dual sided C/F stone or the four grit progression (EC/C/F/EF).

I have never done any freehand sharpening. Up until now I have been using a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker with decent results.

Outside of bragging rights does a polished edge buy one anything as far as practical sharpness and/or durability (i.e. ability to hold a sharpened edge)?
 
The finished edge from a DMT EEF 8000 mesh 3 micron plate is more than refined enough for any cutting need and is extremely sharp if used correctly (hair splitting, check avatar). If you want to have fun polishing a edge DMT also makes Diapaste that works well following the plates but is something that is not needed unless the appearance is what you want.
 
knifenut1013 said:
The finished edge from a DMT EEF 8000 mesh 3 micron plate is more than refined enough for any cutting need and is extremely sharp if used correctly (hair splitting, check avatar). If you want to have fun polishing a edge DMT also makes Diapaste that works well following the plates but is something that is not needed unless the appearance is what you want.
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Knifenut,
Thanks for your input. I have read a number of your posts in regard to knife sharpening. An EEF plate/stone is well beyond what I am likely to buy. Like the op, I would like to keep costs under $150 if possible and under $100 would be preferable.

Simply put is a C/F combo good enough or would purchasing an EC/C/F/EF setup provide significantly better sharpening results (noticeable in actual edc/kitchen use), or is this a case of diminishing returns for the additional cost?
Thanks in advance.
 
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I would skip the C stone. Get these:

XC, F, EF. Of course, get EEF if you want to go finer.
 
I started out with XC/F/EF and EEF, my biggest mistake in this was not getting the Coarse plate. The coarse plate is where the magic happens when moving from a grinding stage to a sharpening stage, without it the scratch pattern and edge quality suffers along with the effort it takes to remove the XC scratches with the F stone. Its not something you will ever notice if just finishing on the plates but when trying to polish it will come back to haunt you.

As a starter set of DMT plates I would recommend C/F/EF, its enough to correct factory bevels, fix minor damage and give your a razor sharp but still slightly toothy edge perfect for EDC uses.

The 1200 mesh EF plate is a great performer for its rated abrasive size and yields a much sharper edge than one would think for its rating. Its 1200 speed and look but with edge quality like a 3k-4k waterstone.
 
knifenut1013 said:
I started out with XC/F/EF and EEF, my biggest mistake in this was not getting the Coarse plate. The coarse plate is where the magic happens when moving from a grinding stage to a sharpening stage, without it the scratch pattern and edge quality suffers along with the effort it takes to remove the XC scratches with the F stone. Its not something you will ever notice if just finishing on the plates but when trying to polish it will come back to haunt you.

As a starter set of DMT plates I would recommend C/F/EF, its enough to correct factory bevels, fix minor damage and give your a razor sharp but still slightly toothy edge perfect for EDC uses.

The 1200 mesh EF plate is a great performer for its rated abrasive size and yields a much sharper edge than one would think for its rating. Its 1200 speed and look but with edge quality like a 3k-4k waterstone.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much!
Does it matter if one chooses DMT's DuoSharp Bench plates (with the little dot recesses) or the Dia-Sharp continuous surface plates?
 
Probably not but personally I like the continuous plates better, feels better.
 
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