Honing with a Dia-sharp?

[danstar250]

Just wondering if the DMT Dia-sharp bench hone with the extra-fine 9 micron grit is suitable for honing razors, and if so how does it compare to a Norton 4/8 k waterstone in effectiveness and ease of use?

[rickw]

I can't find a reference at the moment but an 8K stone is about 1.8 micron. At 9 micron, that sounds like an extra fine. There is a 8EE that is about 8K.

[bjrn]

Just wondering if the DMT Dia-sharp bench hone with the extra-fine 9 micron grit is suitable for honing razors, and if so how does it compare to a Norton 4/8 k waterstone in effectiveness and ease of use?You can use the DMT Extra Fine hone, but it's really coarse and those who use it use it for heavy work when the bevel really needs to be (re)set. It's about 1200 grit, which is a lot lower than the 8k that roughly seems to be the lower bound for what you can comfortably shave from.

[danstar250]

Thanks Bjorn! That makes sense. It seems like the Norton must definitely be the waterstone of choice, but I would like to use something that doesn't need lapping. I would also like something that is multipurpose. Any thoughts?

[jlander]

Thanks Bjorn! That makes sense. It seems like the Norton must definitely be the waterstone of choice, but I would like to use something that doesn't need lapping. I would also like something that is multipurpose. Any thoughts?

You could look at Shaptons. They are flat from the gitgo

[JBHoren]

You can use the DMT Extra Fine hone, but it's really coarse and those who use it use it for heavy work when the bevel really needs to be (re)set. It's about 1200 grit, which is a lot lower than the 8k that roughly seems to be the lower bound for what you can comfortably shave from.

+1

My brief experience has shown me that the DMT-8EE is the go-to hone if you need to re-establish the bevel; however, if you need to take-out a nick or ding, then start with the DMT-8EF (or -8F, if the nick/ding is really bad), and then go to the -8EE.


Thanks Bjorn! That makes sense. It seems like the Norton must definitely be the waterstone of choice, but I would like to use something that doesn't need lapping. I would also like something that is multipurpose. Any thoughts?


You could look at Shaptons. They are flat from the gitgo

The Dia-Sharp DMT series doesn't need lapping.

I have the Dia-Sharp DMT "Trio": DMT-8F [600 grit], -8EF [1200 grit], and -8EE [8000 grit] -- I bought them from Craftsman Studio (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/T!D8.htm), for $133.95 + S/H (I opted for USPS Priority Mail).

Note: Craftsman Studios also sells the Shapton "GlassStone" waterstones (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/Q!0000000.htm) -- somewhat more expensive than the corresponding Dia-Sharp DMT stones.

Once I've finished with the -8EE, I take my razors to pasted hard-wool felt strops -- 1µ (diamond) and 0.5µ (green CrO2), but I could skip the 1µ diamond and go directly to the 0.5µ CrO2.

It does not get any better than this (as Joel and others have tried many times to tell us).

Smooth shaving!!

[Sticky]

Just wondering if the DMT Dia-sharp bench hone with the extra-fine 9 micron grit is suitable for honing razors, and if so how does it compare to a Norton 4/8 k waterstone in effectiveness and ease of use?

The DMT D6(or 8)E 9 micron/1200 is great for nick repairs and rapidly setting bevels on vintage razors. To replace the Norton 4k/8k: use the D8EE 3 micron/8000. It cuts a little faster than the Norton 4k and can give an edge a little finer than the Norton 8k.

I also use the DMT D8C 325, D6E 1200, and D8EE 8000. I also use a DMT Fine 600 grit pocket hone for touching up pocketknives and "de-burring" razors. All the hones I'll ever need for sharpening knives and lapping hones. For razor use I add a barber hone or two and some newspaper.

[GarageBoy]

Spyderco Fine/UltraFine- doesn't need flattening and the UF is now avail is a large size 8"x3" (IIRC)

[danstar250]

I really like the sound of the DMT line. I'm giving it serious consideration. Right now I'm using a couple of vintage barber hones, and a vintage leather strop because I got them for free from a friend who is a barber, but I think I could be getting a much better shave than I am right now. I want my money to be well spent, and don't want to have to worry about my hones being flat.

[danstar250]

OK - I did it. I just ordered the D8 EF and the D8 EE from the suggested site. The prices were VERY reasonable. Wish me well :biggrin: And many thanks for the suggestions on the
DMT's. I was leaning that way to begin with, but hadn't found the right website to buy from, and was unsure which ones to buy. I can't wait to use them on my first vintage razor (I've already been shaving with it) A spike point full hollow Dixie Blue Steel that I found (never used at all, I'm positive) in an antique store for $12.

[GarageBoy]

Another souce is www.knifecenter.com

[danstar250]

Thanks for posting that url. I like the site! All the above suggestions and guidance are much appreciated.

[ouch]

I can't find a reference at the moment but an 8K stone is about 1.8 micron. At 9 micron, that sounds like an extra fine. There is a 8EE that is about 8K.

This may help-

http://members.cox.net/yuzuha/jisgrit1.html