Smith's diamond bench stone?

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
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Have any of you tried a Smith's diamond bench stone? How are they compared to DMT diamond bench stones?
 
I have the coarse and fine, like them. IMHO Smith does a real good job with the interrupted surface diamond plate. DMT might have a better bond to the plate, but Smith uses a thicker base stock. My DMT EF plate is so distorted around where the holes were punched I won't use it. That was the replacement for the first one that was warped even worse. That said, many people have very good luck with them. My continuous surface EEF is a real nice stone. Haven't heard anyone complain about the duo sharp plates either.
 
Yep, i have tried a double-sided diamond bench stone from Smith's on various knives, but since i had quite a lot of diamond particles coming loose from the substrate giving nasty scratches in a few blades i'm currently only using it sometimes to flatten some natural stones as well as silicon carbide ones.
The bench stone is still functional but i don't use it on knives anymore.
My 2 x DMT Diafolds don't have that problem.
 
I think DMT's biggest draw is their monocrystalline diamond, vs the (usually) polycrystalline diamond found on other less-expensive hones. Polycrystalline diamond, as the name implies, is made up of multiple crystals of the spec'd 'grit' sort of randomly lumped together in irregularly-sized larger 'lumps'. So, a given 'grit size' is much less uniform across the surface of the hone, which usually translates into a less uniform finish and edges slightly less-refined.

Monocrystalline diamond is made up of discretely-separate particles of grit, so the abrasive surface is more uniform and produces a somewhat finer finish at a given grit. Even at 'coarse' grits, I've noticed that DMT hones even feel smoother (under the blade) than those of other brands I've tried (like Lansky & Gatco; I haven't yet tried any Smith's hones). I don't know if Smith's uses mono- or poly-, but the polycrystalline diamond products are usually less expensive, as it's presumably less-controlled and therefore an easier process to manufacture them.

I haven't had any issues with flatness or surface irregularities, with any of my DMT hones (3 Dia-Folds, 2 credit cards, 2 double-sided 6" Dia-Sharps, a 4" pocket Dia-Sharp, and an 8" C/F Duo-Sharp plate). In particular, the 8" Duo has been great. That one, and the credit card hones, get the most use from me.


David
 
There's a lot of conflicting info re poly or mono crystalline. Polycrystalline seems to be more highly thought of for metallurgical uses:

POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND has many more cutting surfaces per particle, resulting in higher removal rates. As it cuts, it breaks down in its original shape, allowing for finer finishes in less time than when using monocrystalline diamond. Because polycrystalline has no cleavage planes, it cannot crack or splinter like monocrystalline diamond. It causes less sub-deformation, and is excellent when polishing samples composed of different materials/hardness.

MONOCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND provides a cost effective means for good stock removal and finish. It has a slightly irregular shape with multiple cutting edges, and is recommended for general applications where polycrystalline's features are not required.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't feel bad about a set of DMTs but 'no thank you' to their 6" interrupted surface models based on my experience. Customer service was glacial too. My Smiths are about 16 yrs old, maybe older. The fine one still looks new, and the coarse one has a bit of tarnish/discoloration- still grinds very well. Have experienced none of the grit shedding reported by some, am not entirely surprised though. Very few people have had negative experiences with DMT. Maybe I got from a real good batch of Smiths, and from a real poor batch of DMT...
 
I wonder if the polycrystalline diamond used in metallurgical settings is as a loose grit of the larger poly- particles, or is it also embedded in nickel? Reason I ask, I could see it producing a finer finish (eventually) if the particles are continually breaking down into individual crystals as described. If embedded in a hard/tough nickel substrate, I'd wonder if the friability is hampered or even prevented from occurring. I'm sure there'd be some breakdown initially (i.e., 'breaking in', as is normal), but once the polycrystalline particles' more exposed & jagged pieces get broken loose and the rest of if becomes essentially flush, or just above the nickel, I'd think there'd be little if any remaining friability. Also wonder, to some degree, about the larger embedded lumps of grit being more easily dislodged, if impacted hard during sharpening. Coarser diamond hones in general seem to be more prone to particles being dislodged completely, based on comments I've read here anyway.

I haven't tried any of DMT's 6" interrupted-surface hones. Don't know if they're built to the same quality standard as the 'Duo-Sharp' hones, which are guaranteed to a spec'd flatness, at least.


David
 
Good questions. I honestly don't know, but as I understand it, preparation of samples might involve lapping and grinding as well as successive polish with a variety of backings, including plated nickel and vapor deposition of the abrasives onto other surfaces - cups, wheels, discs - loose grit in a slurry etc. Also, for metallurgical purposes, you're going for a surface finish, not a cutting edge, so maybe some very different dynamics.
Makers of diamond plates using this or that crystalline structure can claim competing superiority based on this or that property. DMT makes a real good product overall, my tapered serration rod still cuts like new. My coarse credit card size is completely shot, mostly from lapping other stones, but I did use light pressure. My EF might as well be free to a good home. I know the Smiths aren't regarded very highly on the forum, but mine have given me good value for a long time. I use very light pressure and a bit of dish soap with water.
FWIW I don't much care for diamond plates at all anymore.
 
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