DMT DuoSharp Bench Stone, double-sided sharpening stone, W8FC-WB

The DMT Duosharp sharpening stone is a large diamond sharpening stone, ideal for sharpening large knives. Each side of the sharpening stone has a different grit size. This sharpening stone comes complete with a plastic base that clamps the sharpening stone in place. Even a simple plastic clamp turns out to be an ingenious aid. Not only can this holder be used with sharpening stones that are 6, 8 or 10 inches long, but the holder itself can also be used in two ways. The usual way is that the foot ensures the sharpening stone doesn't slip while you're sharpening. This allows you to focus purely on the sharpening. There is also a handle at the bottom of the holder that you can use when taking the stone towards the object you're sharpening. One example would be an axe that is clamped in a vice.

The DuoSharp sharpening stone uses a colour coding system to indicate the grit size you're sharpening with. Although the colour can't be seen through all of the holes, it is easy to tell which side corresponds to which colour code. It's not a sticker affixed to the stone, but rather an immovably attached plastic plate that will therefore stay in place even after prolonged use. These are the details that make DMT stand out from the competition.

Information about the DMT sharpening stone grit sizes

The grit size of a diamond-coated stone and a water stone can't easily be compared. This is because the construction and materials used are substantially different. With a water stone, the sharpening grains are incorporated into the stone. These grains are released from the stone during use and become a kind of sharpening paste. With a diamond-coated stone, the diamonds are secured in the surface of the stone.

Good to know

You can use DMT sharpening stones with or without water. The advantage of sharpening with water is that it lubricates the stone and removes the sharpening residues. If you want to sharpen wet, always use water, never oil. It's also good to know that a diamond-coated sharpening stone needs to be pre-sharpened. A brand-new diamond sharpening stone removes quite a lot of material. It only reaches its final level of effect after sharpening 5 to 10 knives.