Dmt

[verminisjk]

Is it possible to hone my Straight with a DMT plate? If yes, wich one you suggest (C, EE or anything else). If no, well it doesn't apply

Thanks

[Slant-Fan]

Check this (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33719) out.

[verminisjk]

I read this Tuto, and the only mention I found of DMT is for lapping my honing stone, but I was wondering if I could directly hone my razor on the DMT. If it's written in the interactive guide, I missed it, sorry

[Swiftsteel]

Yes you can hone a straight with a DMT plate ive just ordered one and am waiting for it to arrive so i cant tell you how it performs but from what i have read they are very good. Ive ordered a DMT D8EE 8000 Grit. (Extra extra fine).

Swiftsteel

[Limey]

Yes, you can hone your straight directly on the DMT. I would suggest both a D8EE and a D8E but if you went with only one the D8EE would be the one to get. However, that stone would only allow you to hone new or near shave ready razors.

I like to go even further than the D8EE with a Yellow Coticle, an Ultra Fine Spyderco, 12K Chinese or a pasted strop to finish my straights.

[verminisjk]

How is a EE comparable, in term of grain, to a norton 8k, for example? Am I better with the 4000/8000 or just the 8000 or just the EE? I'm kind of on a low budget and I'm trying to buy the best for the lowest possible. Buying a Norton would mean buying a lapping stone to. For the lapping, is a 6 inches coarse DMT OK (instead of a 8 inches),or is it problematic?

[Swiftsteel]

Have not used either stone yet but a norton 4k/8k would also need a lapping stone not sure whether 6 inches would be ok but you may end up with uneven wear if you are not very careful. From what i have seen joel say a DMT EE cuts like a 4k but polishes like an 8k. The DMT does not need to be soaked either and cuts alot faster than a norton. From what i hear 3-5 laps for maintanence on a DMT is suffiecient. I was too looking for the best price and found the DMT to be the best value for money. Although as Limey says you wont want to go straight off that onto your face but a pasted strop would work well to put a finishing polish on.

Swiftsteel

[verminisjk]

would a normal strop with a lot of stropping could do after the DMT? I would do honing on a D8EE and go directly to the strop for longer than usual.

[xChris]

Maybe or maybe not. Some guys can shave with an edge from an 8K source with no problem, and others will find the edge not refined enough. You could start that way, and see if it works for you. If not, you could try pastes (e.g., 1 micron & 0.5 micron) on a second strop, or get the Chinese 12K (relatively inexpensive polishing hone) to improve the feel.

[Limey]

would a normal strop with a lot of stropping could do after the DMT? I would do honing on a D8EE and go directly to the strop for longer than usual.

I believe Joel mentioned in his Dovo honing test the true cheeepo way to go was stropping on newpaper that is laying on a hard surface like a book to follow the D8EE or Norton 4K/8K

[xChris]

I believe Joel mentioned in his Dovo honing test the true cheeepo way to go was stropping on newpaper that is laying on a hard surface like a book to follow the D8EE or Norton 4K/8K

Oh yeah -- good recall!

[verminisjk]

Thanks a lot guys

[RayG]

The DMT is nice for lapping, especially harder stones like the Chinese 12k, but not really necessary for the Norton. (Good quality) sandpaper (http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16043&highlight=lapping) will do a good job, especially if you are on a budget.

[verminisjk]

Ok, thanks

[Pyment]

Just to be sure I am clear. If I had the "DMT Set - 3 (CFE) 8 in. Plates & Holder" (as pictured at the Craftman Studio) and the "DMT Dia-Sharp D8EE 8x3x3/8 in. Diamond Plate - E-Extra Fine (EE) - 3 Micron", I would be able to hone my straight razor?

Then follow it up on a newspaper?

[joel]

Just to be sure I am clear. If I had the "DMT Set - 3 (CFE) 8 in. Plates & Holder" (as pictured at the Craftman Studio) and the "DMT Dia-Sharp D8EE 8x3x3/8 in. Diamond Plate - E-Extra Fine (EE) - 3 Micron", I would be able to hone my straight razor?

Then follow it up on a newspaper?

Yes - however that's a lot of stones. If you're just honing new razors (or like new razors) all you need is a D8EE and a cheapie ($35) green chrome .5 micron pasted paddle strop. I own at least 70 hones - and hands down I get the most face friendly edge finishing on green chrome (over ANY hone) and the DMT's are super flat, super easy to use, and cut mighty fast - so the combo of the two makes for a brilliant shaving edge. If you're honing razors that need more work, or removing small nicks, a DMT D8E is more than sufficient - as keep in mind it is a 9 micron stone - so it's about equivalent to a 1500 grit shapton hone - and since it's diamond it cuts a lot faster than a ceramic/artificial or natural hone of the same grit - so the DMT D8E has a lot of firepower. Basically at most a DMT D8E, D8EE and chrome pasted paddle will give you the finest results you can get (that I have experienced) at ANY cost.

I have hones that are way over $1K, and a lowly DMT D8EE and a green chrome paddle lay them to shame. Spending money on costly hones (unless you're a collector, or just plumb silly) is wholly pointless as they'll merely take longer, be more effort and provide you with inferior results.

FWIW - if you're on a budget, you don't need a stone holder with the DMT's either when you're using them for honing. When you're using them for flattening hones, it's needed, but if you're using it for honing, the little rubber feet stickers they come with are more than sufficient, and if you need greater elevation, you can put the plate on a book, or anything somewhat flat/stable.

If you're looking for the cheapest and most efficacious combo, and you're only honing a few of your personal razors - i'd snatch up the DMT D8EE (if you have a razor that requires a lot of work, it'll do the job, it'll just take longer) and make a pasted paddle out of balsa mounted to a flat/stable piece of wood and put some green chrome on it (could be done for about $10-15, with only sandpaper, wood glue, and a $3 flat granite tile) and for under $100, you'll have a setup that cannot be bested, at least as far as getting the most comfortable, and enjoyable shaving edge.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask :smile:

[verminisjk]

The D8EE, or the D6EE, wouldn't be sufficient by itself? Is the Green chrome really necessary?

[Swiftsteel]

It is not necessary as such i think it is quite possible to shave using only a DMTEE and leather strop and if you wanted newspaper but if you want to refine the edge of your blade to make it a more comfortable smooth shave the green chrome is a good way to go. It is less expensive than some of the finer finishing stones and will give an equal shaving edge.

Swiftsteel

[verminisjk]

Where do I get a green chrome?

[Swiftsteel]

Depends where you need it shipping to i am also looking to get some. Some people have got it off ebay but i am yet too find any there. They have it here http://japaneseknifesharpening.com/handamerican.html but im not sure where they ship too.
Other than that ive been struggling to find it. Dont know if anyone else can offer any advice on where it can be purchased?

Swiftsteel

[joel]

Crasftsmanstudio and most any other wood crafting or establishment which sells hones should have green chrome. The place that carries the Chinese 12K's (woodcrafter or something) also carries it as well.

[riooso]

+1 with what Joel said! I have read a lot of reviews and thousands of posts and I got on board with the 8EE and with the 4 sided paddle strop and that is all I have needed. I am a big fan of this setup, it is the cheapest way to go, and fast. I get some sticky skin shaves out of this setup. The 8EE only sees action about every 3 months or when I screw up an edge. I have honed out small nicks by honing and then back honing to drop a wire edge. I hear that a razor will stay sharper longer off a stone instead of diamond paste but for now I have with it takes to get really nice clean shaves.

YMMV
Richard

[TstebinsB]

Yes - however that's a lot of stones. If you're just honing new razors (or like new razors) all you need is a D8EE and a cheapie ($35) green chrome .5 micron pasted paddle strop. I own at least 70 hones - and hands down I get the most face friendly edge finishing on green chrome (over ANY hone) and the DMT's are super flat, super easy to use, and cut mighty fast - so the combo of the two makes for a brilliant shaving edge. If you're honing razors that need more work, or removing small nicks, a DMT D8E is more than sufficient - as keep in mind it is a 9 micron stone - so it's about equivalent to a 1500 grit shapton hone - and since it's diamond it cuts a lot faster than a ceramic/artificial or natural hone of the same grit - so the DMT D8E has a lot of firepower. Basically at most a DMT D8E, D8EE and chrome pasted paddle will give you the finest results you can get (that I have experienced) at ANY cost.

I have hones that are way over $1K, and a lowly DMT D8EE and a green chrome paddle lay them to shame. Spending money on costly hones (unless you're a collector, or just plumb silly) is wholly pointless as they'll merely take longer, be more effort and provide you with inferior results.

FWIW - if you're on a budget, you don't need a stone holder with the DMT's either when you're using them for honing. When you're using them for flattening hones, it's needed, but if you're using it for honing, the little rubber feet stickers they come with are more than sufficient, and if you need greater elevation, you can put the plate on a book, or anything somewhat flat/stable.

If you're looking for the cheapest and most efficacious combo, and you're only honing a few of your personal razors - i'd snatch up the DMT D8EE (if you have a razor that requires a lot of work, it'll do the job, it'll just take longer) and make a pasted paddle out of balsa mounted to a flat/stable piece of wood and put some green chrome on it (could be done for about $10-15, with only sandpaper, wood glue, and a $3 flat granite tile) and for under $100, you'll have a setup that cannot be bested, at least as far as getting the most comfortable, and enjoyable shaving edge.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask :smile:

Thank you very much! This post answered a bunch of questions I had in mind to ask.

[Lucius]

Thank you very much! This post answered a bunch of questions I had in mind to ask.

Yeah, I was thinking of asking the exact questions that that post answered. Joel, I'd recommend making this thread a sticky for that reason.

[OneRand]

Just the thread I was looknig for. Updating the sticky with this would be awesome.

[Seraphim]

Remember, for best results, you should "break in" your DMT hones. Use the flat back of a chisel, or some other high carbon steel tool like that and rub it back and forth on the hone using light pressure until the scratch pattern "smooths out" a bit.