Chefdog
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2012
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I've decided to give diamond plates a try for sharpening and I'm going to buy 9 & 3micron DMT plates to see how I like them. I was going to get the 8x3" plates because they're essentially the same size as most water stones, will fit my stone holder and they're slightly less expensive than the other plates (and were the only size with the 3mic grit). But, Marko has been talking up the 11.5x2.5" plates and has a special order going to get the 3 micron plates in this size. Having a bigger surface to sharpen on theoretically allows for fewer strokes, reducing the effects of wobble and getting your knives sharpened faster. Also, it makes sharpening larger knives slightly easier, although I only have one blade longer than 240.
SO, what do you guys think about the bigger stones? It makes sense, but at the same time, almost all good quality water stones are sold in 8x3" sizes. Is this just a function of cost and convenience or is there another reason you don't see larger stones more often? Are professional sharpeners using larger stones, while the rest of us get the standard size? Is there a true practical advantage for someone who's only sharpening his own knives, and is accustomed to and proficient with standard size water stones?
I want to give the longer stones a try, but they're roughly $50 more, would require me to make or buy a new stone holder, and I could buy one of Marko's strops with the leftover cash.
So what's your opinion and experience on this??? Pre-buy ends tonight, so tell me what you think.
SO, what do you guys think about the bigger stones? It makes sense, but at the same time, almost all good quality water stones are sold in 8x3" sizes. Is this just a function of cost and convenience or is there another reason you don't see larger stones more often? Are professional sharpeners using larger stones, while the rest of us get the standard size? Is there a true practical advantage for someone who's only sharpening his own knives, and is accustomed to and proficient with standard size water stones?
I want to give the longer stones a try, but they're roughly $50 more, would require me to make or buy a new stone holder, and I could buy one of Marko's strops with the leftover cash.
So what's your opinion and experience on this??? Pre-buy ends tonight, so tell me what you think.