Hi, i use a DC3 sharpening stone, how do you know when the diamond side has reached the end of its life and is no longer doing its job, mine has developed bits in its centre which seem to be shiny and i was wondering if the diamond covering had worn out, also though instructions say stone to be used dry i have often used it adding a little spittle or water, does this ruin stone or affect the sharpening (it just seems to work better with a little dampening unless i'm using it wrong or its in my imagination) thanks.
lifespan of DC3 sharpening stone
- Thread starter Joonsy
- Start date
I have had mine for seven years now, used wet and dry it still works but not as quick as when new, no loss of coating though.
It depends on whether you have the old model or the new model stone. The old ones are excellent and last for years and years.
I have an old model DC4 that has smooth shiny patches. If anything it is sharpening better than ever now that it has worn smooth.
If it is a new model you have , I have no idea.
I have an old model DC4 that has smooth shiny patches. If anything it is sharpening better than ever now that it has worn smooth.
If it is a new model you have , I have no idea.
Mine is now 8 years old and still going strong, gets used at least a couple of times a week, every week, on anything from kitchen knives to axes and even chainsaw chain depth gauges. Still looks much as it did when new. Gets a bit of a wash every couple of months.
Dave
Dave
Hi Wook, how long has the 'new' model been out, mine is about 10 years old (guess) so i would hazard a guess that means an old model (its a silver coloured one and does not have that small hole in the corner of diamond side), it has developed shiny smooth bits and i was wondering if it was worn out, its the DC3, most people seem to use the DC4 it seems. thanks for your input.
just for a bit of balance, mine didn't last that long, it was more or less worn out after about 5 years. it's all relative though i'm afraid, there are so many variables that would effect the lifespan of any sharpening tool that it's really difficult to make any kind of prediction. mine lost probably years of it's life in one night of boredom when i became determined to reprofile a friend's knife and didn't have any other tools to hand, but that was more or less abusing the DC3, used for the purpose it was intended ie keeping a knife sharp rather than making a knife sharp then it should last for a long time. as for the ceramic side, i can't imagine that ever wearing out, mines maybe ten years old and it shows no real signs of wear
cheers
stuart
Hi MartiniDave, mine has been used to the same degree but only on knifes, thanks.
Hi Shaggystu, when i first bought it i didn't know how to sharpen properly and thrashed away with it longer than was really neccessary so i expect i have probably worn it out, thanks.
Hi Sappy, could you explain why please, what would the reason be for being better or worse, thanks.
As the stone is polished smooth, it is equivalent to it becoming higher and higher grit. This allows it to achieve a finer and finer edge.
What you want in a finishing stone (like the ceramic side of a DC3) is a hard, but otherwise very smooth surface that essentially polishes the blade to an edge.
Over time it will take less and less material off the blade with each stroke, meaning it takes longer to sharpen things. But it will also do a progressively better and better job.
What you want in a finishing stone (like the ceramic side of a DC3) is a hard, but otherwise very smooth surface that essentially polishes the blade to an edge.
Over time it will take less and less material off the blade with each stroke, meaning it takes longer to sharpen things. But it will also do a progressively better and better job.
When it stops giving an edge its time to replace it but they should without abuse last many years.
I have 'shiny' patches on my old version stone. Those patches have no diamond at all. I have used this stone a lot and probably abused it a bit. It still makes an edge but just takes longer.
Steve.
Steve.
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