Cheap Diamond honing plates

**xMackx** · 07-29-2012, 05:56 PM

I bought these on a whim basically just to see if they were any good. They cost 12 bucks for the 3 diamond plates, color coded all 6"x2" made by Cal-Hawk. Yellow is 150 grit, red 250, and blue 400 grit. I block mounted them onto some lapped wooden blocks to keep them flat while lapping. I have to say I guess I got lucky because the grit ratings are accurate. I have lapped quite a few stones with them, and used the blue 400 grit for quick bevel setting on several razors so far and the diamonds are still attached and sharp (I expected them to rub off). I haven't had any problems with the corrugated surface, but these ones are small and oval. The blue 400 gets the most use so far, the other 2 are basically for serious lapping but over all I'm pleasantly surprised with them.

**Gingerbread** · 07-29-2012, 10:19 PM

I saw that set at Harbor Freight and resisted the temptation to try 'em out. Glad they work for you.

**paco664** · 07-29-2012, 11:12 PM

i have the same set.... work great...

**jeness** · 07-30-2012, 12:54 PM

They are very good for the price, especially if you use them only rarely.

**Slash McCoy** · 07-30-2012, 02:08 PM

I like mine. They aren't very flat but no biggie... still good for rough repair. Saves wear on your expensive DMT or 1k bevel setter if you are a rock guy. The price is nice. Plus they are excellent for small pocketknives, too.

**xMackx** · 07-30-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Slash McCoy

I like mine. They aren't very flat but no biggie... still good for rough repair. Saves wear on your expensive DMT or 1k bevel setter if you are a rock guy. The price is nice. Plus they are excellent for small pocketknives, too.

My sentiments exactly. They're really tough actually, put my body weight into it lapping hard mystery stones and they haven't degraded yet.

**SliceOfLife** · 07-30-2012, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by jeness

They are very good for the price, especially if you use them only rarely.

I gotta say that is the most backhanded complement I could imagine for a hone. "It's great if you don't use it alot!"

How are you getting on with the missus?
Fine, so long as she's not around.

I may have to pick up the coarsest they have for leveling out stones if it's true they hold onto their diamonds though. Do they have any bigger size?