I still have flattening issues. What to do?

[joepa150]

I have a King Ice Bear 4000 and a Bester 1200. It seems that the King 4k is so easy to flatten. I have flattened it with 400 grit sandpaper, 320 W/D sandpaper, and 220 grit dry wall screen without a problem and it usually takes me about 1-2 minutes. On the other hand the Bester 1200 is a PITA to flatten. I have tried 320 W/D sandpaper and 220 grit dry wall screen. It would take 2 sheets of 320 W/D paper (15 minutes) or both sides of the 220 grit dry wall screen (10 minutes). Once I am done flattening the Bester, the sandpaper or drywall screen are both useless for future flattenings.

So now I don't know how to easily flatten the Bester 1200. I am afraid to dish out money for a DMT diasharp for fear that the Bester will wear the DMT down quickly like it did to the sandpaper and drywall screen.

Any suggestions?

If I had a DMT diasharp, would you go with a Coarse or an extra coarse plate (keep in mind that I would want to use it to flatten the 4k king and also I would use it as my coarsest stone before going to the Bester 1200)?

 

[Jason B.]

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Norton-Flattening-Stone-P29C25.aspx

 

[theamazingdrew]

^ :thumbup:

 

[joepa150]

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Norton-Flattening-Stone-P29C25.aspx

So you would pick that over a DMT?

I was thinking a DMT would serve 2 purposes so it maybe more economical BUT I could probably get a coarse stone from Naniwa for pretty cheap.

Also I thought that the Norton Flattening stone doesn't stay flat. Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose?

 

[Jason B.]

If you wanted to use the DMT as a dual purpose stone then you would want the XXC 120 micron stone.


Any stone but the diamonds will need flattening, you can also go out side and find a flat area of the sidewalk. Use lots of water and rub in a figure 8 pattern.

 

[AF]

I would get the DMT XX Coarse. It's what I use for sharpening. The thing hogs off steel like crazy. I've used it to reprofile several large blades.

 

[Jason B.]

FYI, If you do get a XXC DMT and use it for sharpening you will need another stone between that and the 1200.

 

[joepa150]

FYI, If you do get a XXC DMT and use it for sharpening you will need another stone between that and the 1200.

What if I went with a XC or a C stone instead? Can I go from DMT XC to Bester 1200? How about C to 1200?

 

[Jason B.]

What if I went with a XC or a C stone instead? Can I go from DMT XC to Bester 1200? How about C to 1200?

The coarse probably but any lower and you would have a hard time, then you run into the problem of the C not being very good for flattening and runs a higher risk of wearing out.

 

[THG]

Note about the DMT XXC stone: it has rounded corners, so if you're using it for sharpening or beveling, just know that you won't be able to do knives with ricassos.