How long have you been using DMT

pahl

pahl

Joined
Feb 23, 2002
Messages
1,088
Hi,
If you use dmt hones for sharpening how long have you been using them.
Just wondering if they last forever or close to it.

Thanks,
JP
 
I've been using them for six or seven years now and haven't noticed any significant wear at all. I use them several times a week. A light scrub with a fine nylon brush or a wipe-down with BreakFree helps to keep them fresh.
 
About 8 years on a 4" X 1" fine w/ moderate use still going strong. Never tried break-free on mine. I just wash it with dish soap to remove the metal filings. If it gets really bad I'll use an eraser block.
 
Originally posted by Alberta Ed
I've been using them for six or seven years now and haven't noticed any significant wear at all. I use them several times a week. A light scrub with a fine nylon brush or a wipe-down with BreakFree helps to keep them fresh.
Click to expand...

Thats great to hear, thanks
What is BreakFree?
I just got 2x6 blue one today. With in the last six months I got the red and green one. Thought I would try the blue one for reprofiling.
Sounds like I can plan on them lasting for years.

Has anyone tried the black one?
Was wondering if that would be of any use for reprofiling or is it to coarse for any knife work.

Thanks,
JP


BTW: I also decided to get the blue dmt after using the razor edge hones and seeing wear on there coarse hone after only a few uses:(
I think the razor edge guides are great, but dmt wins my vote on the hones.
 
I've got Dad's DMT "Lannsky" style sharpener. Aluminum clamp, two stones mounted to a clear plastic block with a steel "L" shaped rod and thumb screw. It's about 20 years old, still going strong.
 
Originally posted by pyrguy
I've got Dad's DMT "Lannsky" style sharpener. Aluminum clamp, two stones mounted to a clear plastic block with a steel "L" shaped rod and thumb screw. It's about 20 years old, still going strong.
Click to expand...


about 20 years old, wow!
The price does not seem all that bad after you hear how long they last.
Could be something Im handing down to my kid someday:)



JP
 
Isn't that illegal? I mean, I've tried pot, and drink beer now and then... but DMT, Whoa:eek:
 
I bought my first one at a Mall in Dallas, Texas in 1980. It was the pocket type with a leather sheath. I still have it and it still works fine. I'm not so sure about the newer ones though. I bought one of the double sided balisong style about a year ago and it's already smoothed down quite a bit. It doesn't seem to have the same staying power that my first one did. Maybe I just got a bad one or maybe I've just been a little harder on it than I should. I always have one with me and can use it to sharpen most anything. My next DMT purchase will be a full bench top set of all the grits. They're a little pricey but should still be working when I retire.
 
My oldest ones are only a few years old, and I mainly use them for finish sharpening. I use an x-coarse waterstone and some lapping compound for any heavy shaping. DMT does have a warrenty policy against the hones from wearing out.

-Cliff
 
Its great to hear how long they last.
Think I'm going to make a case out of black walnut to hold all my dmt stones and the razor edge guides.
Will be handy to have everything for sharpening in one case.
Thanks for your replys.

JP
 
Just remember they take a LIGHT touch. If you get the least bit heavy handed you can nock the diamonds loose and ruin the stones.

I just run water over the stones to flush off the grit after use. Some times a soft fingernail brush with a little dish-washing liquid scrub works wonders.

I have the 8" bench stones and they do feel like they cut differently from the older stones. But each time I use the bench stones they get better. I'm looking forward to a lot if years of use out of them.
 
I have been using them on and off for two years now.

I used the course side of my duo stone to get an Ontario Marine knife to a proper and respectable angle. Trust me, I was so frustrated I used FAR more pressure to speed things up than is recommended. The stone still cuts a treat! Great stuff.:)
 
BreakFree CLP is a metal cleaner, lubricant and solvent all in one. It was developed for the US military. It penetrates and lifts out crud (like lead and powder residue in gun barrels), and also works fine on DMT hones. It leaves a protective barrier. I use it on all my firearms and carbon steel knives, and as a lubricant for folders (a little dab'll do ya).
 
Hey General! Love that avatar! My family originated from Wales long, long ago and I've always thought the Welsh flag was really nice, especially considering it's history. My maternal family name in America here is Lewallen, which is, of course, a mis-spelling of the Welsh name Llywellyn. We've managed to trace our family back here in the US to the early 1700's but have not yet been able to make the jump overseas yet. More's the pity since I understand records on the Llywellyn family are fairly abundant in the UK.

I've tried to trace back as many of my family lines as possible (both my parents and grandparents lines). History and genealogy are important to me as they are like rivers that have strongly influenced who, where and what you are. Understand that history and you have far more influence over the path you choose for yourself.

Sorry for the digression.

Yes, DMT's are great and can last a long time but I'll second the fact that you do not want to apply any pressure to one. I did not know this years ago and went through the first one I bought in about two months. I still have it and it's smooth as a baby's bottom. Others that I've bought within the last couple of years are fine since I found out about not applying pressure to them. Perhaps I should send my old one back to them for replacement...hmmmm....
 
I've had my large red DMT for about 12 years now. As mentioned, a light touch is all that is needed. This will preserve your "stone" and your bevel...

AL
 
nobody:
Hi,
I think you should send your old dmt back. I for one (maybe others on the forum also) would be interested in knowing if they replace it.

On the dmt papers I got with my last one it reads:
Warranty - Warranted against defect in materials and manufacture.
Exclusive remedy: replacement of product.


Let us know if you do.

JP
 
I don't remember how many years ago it was when DMT started being sold around here but I want to say that it was in the mid to late 70's. May be off on that though. I bought a blue and a red when I first saw them and have been using them since and they are still doing a good job. I have never seen one worn out but I have a red one that is worn pretty slick. This one was in a sporting goods store, set up on a counter for the customers to try sharpening their knives on. It saw some very heavy use and it shows. I use a black one any time I am sharpening a knife for the first time unless it is one that has a pretty thin blade, then I will go to the blue one to start with. These stones are a good set and are a good investment IMHO.
 
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