Which double sided DMT grits?

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killa_concept

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May 19, 2009
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So I've been meaning to get a diamond sharpener for awhile now, but kept putting it off. Recently, I picked up an Enzo trapper in D2 and that's what finally convinced me that I need one.

I've already decided on a DMT double sided 6x2, but I'm having a difficult time choosing between the coarse/fine or fine/extra-fine (325/600 and 600/1200 respectively). This is also going to serve as my field sharpener and something I plan to just generally carry with me. I'm surprised at how many times I find myself wanting to sharpen things: dull-as-heck EDCs my friends show me, kitchen knives and scissors in the possession of friends/family members, etc.

Anyways, right now my home sharpening gear consists of a Norton coarse/fine (in need of flattening), 1200 and 6000 grit King waterstones, a mousepad with sandpaper ranging from 100-2000 grit for convexing, and a leather strop with .3 micron chrom oxide.

So what are your guy's thoughts on the matter? 325/600 or 600/1200?
 
As a 'field sharpener', my preference would be for the Coarse/Fine (325/600). Assuming you're going to be without any other sharpener while out in the field, the Coarse/Fine would, I believe, be more capable of quickly repairing a heavily damaged edge (Coarse) and, at the same time, be useful for light touch-ups when needed (Fine). The Fine/EF is great for dressing up an already decent edge and, for me, is one I'd likely keep at home. Or, if you'd still like to carry an EF hone, you might give some thought to one of the smaller, credit card size pocket sharpeners from DMT. The 6" x 2" DiaSharps are fairly heavy for their size (1/4" thick steel plate).
 
That's a really hard call because it really depends on how dull or damaged your edge gets before you sharpen. If you'll be doing other tools such as axes or shovels in the field, I'd say the coarse/fine. If you normally bring your edges to 1200-6000 at home and just need light touch ups in the field then you might find the Fine/x-fine more to your liking. I have the coarse/fine and usually use the fine(600) most of the time but recently added a 1200 DMT card for even lighter touch ups.

They need a tri-fold with coarse/fine/xtra fine :)
 
I just bought a TAK in D2 and I decided to go with the coarse/fine DMT for the reasons previously stated.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
As a 'field sharpener', my preference would be for the Coarse/Fine (325/600). Assuming you're going to be without any other sharpener while out in the field, the Coarse/Fine would, I believe, be more capable of quickly repairing a heavily damaged edge (Coarse) and, at the same time, be useful for light touch-ups when needed (Fine). The Fine/EF is great for dressing up an already decent edge and, for me, is one I'd likely keep at home. Or, if you'd still like to carry an EF hone, you might give some thought to one of the smaller, credit card size pocket sharpeners from DMT. The 6" x 2" DiaSharps are fairly heavy for their size (1/4" thick steel plate).
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Yeah - I was leaning towards the Coarse/Fine as well. 600 produces a perfectly satisfactory edge (I leave most general purpose kitchen blades at this grit) and 325 would really come in handy if something is badly damaged.

As for the credit-card sized sharpeners, I gave those as well as the dia-fold some consideration. Ultimately though, I prefer something a bit longer/stouter and am perfectly willing to compromise on weight. Or were you suggesting having the EF to compliment the double-sided 6x2? I could see that as being a possibility once I get a bit more spare change down the line...

Out of curiosity, do you happen to own one of the credit card sharpeners? What sort of backing do they have of them and are they fairly rigid?

hoopster said:
That's a really hard call because it really depends on how dull or damaged your edge gets before you sharpen. If you'll be doing other tools such as axes or shovels in the field, I'd say the coarse/fine.
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Oo - a good point. I do have a couple GB axes that might need sharpening in the field. However, I generally to do it with a mousepad/sandpaper as I find convexing easier that way.
I also tend to be really careful with my tools and keep them well maintained... my friends and family on the other hand are a totally different story, so having the coarse side might be useful for those situations :rolleyes:

hoopster said:
They need a tri-fold with coarse/fine/xtra fine :)
Click to expand...
Quad-fold mate! xtra coarse/coarse/fine/xtra fine. I could definitely go for that! A triangular-shaped sharpener would be impossible to use as a bench-stone.
 
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killa_concept said:
Yeah - I was leaning towards the Coarse/Fine as well. 600 produces a perfectly satisfactory edge (I leave most general purpose kitchen blades at this grit) and 325 would really come in handy if something is badly damaged.

As for the credit-card sized sharpeners, I gave those as well as the dia-fold some consideration. Ultimately though, I prefer something a bit longer/stouter and am perfectly willing to compromise on weight. Or were you suggesting having the EF to compliment the double-sided 6x2? I could see that as being a possibility once I get a bit more spare change down the line...

Out of curiosity, do you happen to own one of the credit card sharpeners? What sort of backing do they have of them and are they fairly rigid?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I was suggesting. Since an EF hone is generally used very lightly (for refining/polishing), I don't think you'd be penalized too much in using something smaller/lighter, especially in the field.

I don't have one of the card size sharpeners (yet). I'm constantly tempted to get one or two of 'em though. Don't know what they use for a backing or base. I do believe they're pretty rigid though. Keep in mind, a light touch is always best when sharpening (more so with diamond, and especially at the finer grits). So, however thin they might be, I'm inclined to believe they're plenty strong & stiff enough. I don't associate DMT with anything that'd be too flimsy to get the job done.
 
The coarse/fine is good . But the coarse will struggle to rebevel whereas the X-coarse can do this . I have two credit card stones in EF and they are not bad . While not as strong as a stone but if layed against a hard surface they will work . Keep your fingers out of the way . DM
 
Coarse-fine; D2 performs best with a coarser edge when it comes to cutting flesh, skinning, or slicing fibrous materials. But it can be honed to a mirror edge if you want to take the time and trouble.
 
While the Course / Fine combo would be the most versatile for field use...I have steered clear for this reason. You are kinda stuck if you want the other grits. So, for my first of the DuoFolds, I got the Fine / XFine so that next time I will get the XCourse / Course.

I used the same logic with the Diasharp 8" plates.

Because you know you'll want more. I am with sharpening things the same as I am with knives.

But I would agree as far as that goes, Course / Fine would be what I would go with if I could have only one and was going on deployment or whatever. For a hunting knife, I would probably be happy with Fine / XFine.
 
coarse/fine. You don't need to go any sharper 'in the field', or for friends/family. Plus the coarse will get you there faster on the dull stuff.
 
Hi killa_concept -

I have an EZE-Lap Sportsmans Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener to correct bigger problems on knives, and then I havecombined with the fine/xtra fine duo-fold (green/tan) to get the edges shaving sharp.

best regards -

mqqn
 
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