I am looking to get one of the new DMT Diasharp whetstones, which have a continuous surface. I think I'm going to start with the fine and then see if I need a coarse or an extra fine. The 8" x 3" is $59.45 and the 6" x 2" is $24.95 at japanwoodworker.com. I will use it for kitchen knives, including 8" and 10" chef's knives, as well as folders and fixed blades. Do I need the 8", or is the 6" enough? Also, does anyone offer better prices than these? TIA
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
which size DMT Diasharp?
- Thread starter Aeneas
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,209
I think the 6" will be enough. I got an 8" and find it's over-kill until the blades get to 12" long and beyond. For most knives, especially kitchen knives, the 6" will be long enough, though of course working with a larger stone is nice if you can afford it.
My favorite combination of DMT stones turns out to be the coarse/fine. I happen to have an X-coarse too, and I'm glad I got it for reprofiling, but I never use it again on an already reprofiled knife. The coarse stone does the job of getting the edge ultra sharp, while the fine smooths it out enough for easy push-cuts through tough vegetables! I think the x-fine is over kill in the other direction. Remember that diamond stones to grow less coarse over time. A well used coarse stone is pretty fine, and the fine becomes x-fine after a while too.
My favorite combination of DMT stones turns out to be the coarse/fine. I happen to have an X-coarse too, and I'm glad I got it for reprofiling, but I never use it again on an already reprofiled knife. The coarse stone does the job of getting the edge ultra sharp, while the fine smooths it out enough for easy push-cuts through tough vegetables! I think the x-fine is over kill in the other direction. Remember that diamond stones to grow less coarse over time. A well used coarse stone is pretty fine, and the fine becomes x-fine after a while too.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
I doubt you really need continuous surface until you sharpen very small or pointed objects. Get Duo-Sharp double-sided surface in coarse/fine grit and 8 long. This solution would have higher cost efficiency and provide you higher comfort when sharpening long blades.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,209
I am curious about what the continuous surface is like. I don't have one, and I don't think they existed when I bought my DMT stones about a year or so ago...
What are their advantages? Is it that you can sharpen the points of knives without getting caught in the little holes of the regular stones? I have found this to be a problem with all but the largest of my knives. It is difficult to sharpen the very point, if it is acute, on a regular DMT hone.
What are their disadvantages? Price? any others? The regular DMT hones are already pretty expensive...
What is the purpose of the holes on the regular stones anyway? Is it just to have a place to trap the metal coming off the knife's edge, or was there some engineering problem that had to be overcome before continuous diamond stones could be made?
What are their advantages? Is it that you can sharpen the points of knives without getting caught in the little holes of the regular stones? I have found this to be a problem with all but the largest of my knives. It is difficult to sharpen the very point, if it is acute, on a regular DMT hone.
What are their disadvantages? Price? any others? The regular DMT hones are already pretty expensive...
What is the purpose of the holes on the regular stones anyway? Is it just to have a place to trap the metal coming off the knife's edge, or was there some engineering problem that had to be overcome before continuous diamond stones could be made?
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
Matthew,
I really do not have any problems sharpening my knife tips on DMT perforated surfaces. Probably this is the question of used techniques. Just keep your tip touching sharpening surface not only at single point (very tip) but at least with last some millimeters of the edge near the tip. It is possible on very most of normally sized knives...
Well, in my opinion the perforation of sharpening surfaces:
On the other hand the main DMT goal is very consistent abrasive particle size and their very good embedding at nickel plating over steel surface. No matter perforated or uninterrupted...
At IWA Trade Show I saw cheap dmt-like China sharpeners. The contact between steel plate and plastic base was not consistent and it was really close-to-impossible to keep their sharpening surface flat. Also the consistence of diamond particles remained a lot to wish and it affected cutting accuracy quite visibly. Since it was possible to reprofile (so-so) the damaged edge on coarse surface the shaving sharpness at finishing touch on fine one was out of discussion. I also have no ideas how long they could last. For me they could last even forever I do not want them because they cant perform the task they are intended for.
Just edited to add.
Yes, continuous surfaces are pretty new in DMT offer. The Dia-Sharp series sharpeners with this kind of surface appeared exactly about year ago, previously DMT offered Machinist versions of some their sharpeners (for ex. Diafolds) with continuous surface at the part of the whole only. In fact they add the possibility to sharpen pointed objects, strongly curved edges and similar things.
Few advantages sharpening the most of knives...
Price could be the only disadvantage...
I really do not have any problems sharpening my knife tips on DMT perforated surfaces. Probably this is the question of used techniques. Just keep your tip touching sharpening surface not only at single point (very tip) but at least with last some millimeters of the edge near the tip. It is possible on very most of normally sized knives...
Well, in my opinion the perforation of sharpening surfaces:
- Saves at least 30% of diamond powder, the most expensive part of sharpener construction;
- This reduces sharpeners price, in fact Dia-Sharp series ones with uninterrupted surface are noticeably more expensive;
- Reduces cutting speed (each point of the edge meets 30% less diamond particles at each stroke) and makes it more controllable;
- Plastic base fills perforations and provides tougher attaching to diamond coated steel plate not the least thing to keep it flat;
- At least doesnt obstruct sharpening until you do not sharpen pointy tools.
On the other hand the main DMT goal is very consistent abrasive particle size and their very good embedding at nickel plating over steel surface. No matter perforated or uninterrupted...
At IWA Trade Show I saw cheap dmt-like China sharpeners. The contact between steel plate and plastic base was not consistent and it was really close-to-impossible to keep their sharpening surface flat. Also the consistence of diamond particles remained a lot to wish and it affected cutting accuracy quite visibly. Since it was possible to reprofile (so-so) the damaged edge on coarse surface the shaving sharpness at finishing touch on fine one was out of discussion. I also have no ideas how long they could last. For me they could last even forever I do not want them because they cant perform the task they are intended for.
Just edited to add.
Yes, continuous surfaces are pretty new in DMT offer. The Dia-Sharp series sharpeners with this kind of surface appeared exactly about year ago, previously DMT offered Machinist versions of some their sharpeners (for ex. Diafolds) with continuous surface at the part of the whole only. In fact they add the possibility to sharpen pointed objects, strongly curved edges and similar things.
Few advantages sharpening the most of knives...
Price could be the only disadvantage...