Customer Reviews

Smith's DBSF115 11-1/2" FINE Diamond Bench Stone w/ "Micro Tool Sharpening Pad"

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This stone works well, but I was expecting a faster metal removal rate from a coarse diamond stone. That is, it gets the job done, but with more pressure/passes along the surface than I expected. In making this assessment, I was working with steels with almost 1% carbon such as 1095 and Carbon V.

This stone is a nice complement to the fine stone of the same size and also made by Smith. With the two, you are able to put decently sharp edges on knives and tools even if you must start with relatively blunt edges, but if you are seeking razor sharp edges, you will need to continue to sharpen with other tools having progressively finer grit. The 11 1/2 length is a definite plus for large kitchen knives.

If you do a fair amount of sharpening with edges that need more than just a touch up, you might decide to invest in a bench belt sander, belts with a number of grit sizes as well as a leather belt/buffing compound. Depending of where you buy these components, the investement is not too different from a couple of these stones and this set-up will work much faster and no doubt last for a much longer period of time. I am somewhat concerned that the diamond surfaces will wear away before I get a substatial amount of use from them.

I love the long stroke I can use when reshaping chisels on this diamond stone. I was going to invest in a bench grinder, but this stone cuts quickly enough that I think I can do without (at least for a while yet). It has to cut at least three times as fast as my course Norton India stone. Also good for flattening waterstones.

I have had this for a while now and it does a fantastic job on my small pocket knives to my long fish filleting knife.