DMT 3 Micron Dia Sharp

[custard]

The thing that's always put me off using diamond stones as the basis for my sharpening is that there's no really fine polishing grit. However, I see DMT has a 3 micron/8000 mesh diamond stone on a useful 8" x 3" plate.

http://www.buybrandtools.com/acatalog/D ... _D8EE.html

Two questions to anyone with hands on experience of this particular stone,

1. Does it genuinely give a polished finish?
2. They emphasise on the DMT site, use only water as a lubricant. Would the sky really fall down if I used WD40 or some light oil?

Thanks

 

[Karl]

Never used the stone, but I have used water, oil and WD40 (whatever's to hand really, as I use it on site too) on my diamond stone, with no ill effects as far as I can tell - it still sharpens as well as it ever has.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Trizza]

I have a full set of the 8x3 Dia Sharps, and I have to say that the XX Fine doesn't really seem to give a properly polished edge. It sure gives a nice edge, but its not as polished as you could get from a strop.

I've used water and mineral oil on mine, and have never had any issues. They're an excellent product!

 

[custard]

Thanks Trizza, nothing beats first hand feedback, DMT say the XX Fine stone improves with use, giving a progressively finer finish over time. Have you seen this?

 

[kinsella]

I use diamond stones, mainly DMT and the large trend version. I swear by them. But like Trizza I also use a strop to do the final polishing. I might give the xx fine type a go though.

 

[Trizza]

Thanks Trizza, nothing beats first hand feedback, DMT say the XX Fine stone improves with use, giving a progressively finer finish over time. Have you seen this?

All of the stones "lose their edge" after a while - at first you'll find them to be extremely aggressive, even scratchy, but they settle in after a few uses as the sharp edges of the diamonds round over. They get slower, but the edge they give will be more consistent and sharper. So I wouldn't be surprised if the XX Fine gets better and better over time. I can't say I've really noticed it myself though!

I've found that the most effective sharpening technique, for me, on DMT stones is not the conventional method with a guide. I freehand with the blade at 90 degrees to the usual direction, so I'm sharpening from corner to corner. On a normal stone this would lead to unacceptable wear, but on DMT this is a super consistent and quick way to do it The stones make so little mess that with this technique I can leave the Fine on my benchtop while I'm working for quick touchups (esp of chisels).