I've been looking at diamond stones lately.  I was in a wood working store yesterday.  The salesman told me (assuming the same size and grit) that these stones with the plastic nubs






Were a better sharpening stone than these with a full surface




Now, they are all made by DMT and the first two seem to me to have a LOT less diamond on them and the are much less expensive.

Am I nuts or does he not know what he is talking about!

Opinions please...

Steve, hate to tell you but your NUTS.

Your son told me so last year at compton

doug77

I've got no experience with the top ones, but I finally bit and invested in the diasharp stone like in the bottom pic. I don't regret the purchase at all.....and I resisted spending that much $ on a stone for months. As light pressure is used to hone broadheads I just can't see this stone wearing out.

I have one from G5 I beleive.I clamp it on the edge of my bench and finish sharping my Snuffers against the edges of the stone.I use to use the Tamer but since starting this technique,I been happier w/ my final results

We have the dotted slab at work, its been there a long time and still does a very good job. Doubt you could ever wear it out even if you tried.I use it every night to sharpen 4 8" knives.

Eric

Mr. Steve o,
We use both types of sharpener.  Have not noticed one out performing the other.  Both give a good edge.  As for longevity?  Time will tell.

One thing we have noticed, the diamond stones sure are a lot faster (compared to regular stones) when putting an edge on some of the new "super-steels", we have on our knives.
Best Wishes

Steve, I have the top ones...the yellow plastic with green and red. The reason I dropped the cash was that I had 2 grits on one stone,8". I have used the hell out of it for 6+ years no signs of problems. Better??? I like DMT better than Smith's personally but if made BY DMT I think it would be just fine.

QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
I've been looking at diamond stones lately.  I was in a wood working store yesterday.  The salesman told me (assuming the same size and grit) that these stones with the plastic nubs

 

 


Were a better sharpening stone than these with a full surface

 


Now, they are all made by DMT and the first two seem to me to have a LOT less diamond on them and the are much less expensive.

Am I nuts or does he not know what he is talking about!

Opinions please...

Hey Steve O,

What's up man? I can't speak to your overall mental state but it appears that your power of reasoning is just fine.

The Polka Dot stones do have far less diamond particle per sq. inch than the continuous surface stones do.... and the diamond particles  are  what you're paying for... And the plastic top surface will never be as flat as a solid piece of steel either. There's a reason that we (KME) only sell and use the continuous surface "Dia-Sharp" line of DMT stones... they're the best there is. I would suggest that you ask the same question on the knifemakers forum and see what the guys who really know have to say on the subject. One more thing... Did the salesman even have any continuous surface stones to sell you?

Ron

I was pretty secure in my mental state...

Thank you gents.

Ron; I did not think to check your site.  I had my heart set on the 3 x 8". Can you get those or am I stuck with the 2 x 6". I was hoping to avoid the curved stroke with my KME broadhead sharpener.

I believe the dotted diamond stones are also by design supposed to catch the steel particles that come off the head or blade when sharpened.
I tried a set like those and didn't care for them. I actually think they dulled my heads somewhat and went back to the file.

I own and have used both kinds. Both kinds work well.

I've got blue, red, black in 4 different pieces. Have had them since they first came out and they are great.  

Once thing that the flat solid stone would do that doesn't occur as quickly with the dots is to hold grit.

All of the diamond stones are not created equally.  As with anything else price will generally dictate quality, as price goes up quality goes up. From what I understand and what I have be told Semo-hunter is correct on the dotted stones.  I have tried the low price ones and there as less diamonds,that stands to reason as made made diamonds are all of equal quality and price, and the diamonds actually came off. We normally pay for what we get, so far I have found no bargains but I have found quality if you are willing to pay the price.

What is the width of the bottom stone? I'd sure like to have one 3" wide for those 200 grain El Grande Griz heads!

After some guidance from some great Trad Gangers I bought the  Dia-Sharp stones in 8X3 from XX Fine through XX Course and use them with my KME Broadhead sharpener.  Best system I have ever used hands down! I took some 140 gr. Grizzleys from the factory edge to razor sharp in minutes.  I bought two stone holders so I could go from one grit to the next without flipping the blade.  It cost a bit to get set up like this it really makes sharpening easy, enjoyable and quick.  I did a dozen in no time. Waiting for September to Elk hunt now!

I have a Buck diamond stone that stores in itself with a fine and coarse side. I couldn't be happier with it. Very easy to carry in my pack along with a folding Gerber steel. I have no trouble at all getting knives and broadheads sharp.

The 3x8 solid diamond stones are worth the extra $.  Bob