Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) 8-in. DuoSharp Double-Sided Diamond Whetstone Bench Stone, Fine/Coarse Grit Sharpener with Base (WM8FC-WB)

The DMT WM8EF-WB 8-Inch DuoSharp Plus Bench Stone (Extra Fine/Fine With Base) is an outstanding value at $55.While some might find that price to be high, keep in mind that you're getting a large 3" x 8" double-sided diamond sharpener (one side is fine 600-grit for all around sharpening, the other is extra fine 1200-grit for getting your blades to a razor sharp edge). Unlike natural stones, the polymer base also won't deform. It stays perfectly flat over time. And the sharpening goes MUCH faster. 10 swipes on this stone is roughly equivalent to about 50 swipes on an Arkansas stone. Not only do you save time and energy, but it's much easier to maintain a very consistent blade angle (crucial to effective sharpening) for 10 strokes than it is for 50.This model includes the robust plastic base as well. The stone snaps into the base very snugly (no looseness) and the wide feet provide for a very stable platform while sharpening. For added security, you can fasten the base to a workbench or other large surface. However, I found the base stable enough on its own to be perfectly serviceable on a kitchen countertop. It would be nice if the base had grippy rubberized feet to reduce slippage on smooth surfaces for those like me who don't want to permanently affix it to a workbench, but if you brace one end of the base against something (such as the edge of the sink or the stove) and draw the knife in that direction, it works fine and won't slip.I've used this stone to sharpen everything from my smallest Swiss Army blade (2" stainless) up to my Ka-Bar/Becker BK7 blade (7" 1095 cro-van steel). Sharpening a large 7" knife on this stone is very easy. The general rule of thumb is that your stone should be at least as long as your blade, so if you have knife blades longer than 8", you may want to spend more for the 10-inch version of this stone (which at the time of this review, is inexplicably listed at nearly three times the price!?). For my needs, the 8 inch stone is plenty long.There's nothing to complain about with regard to the quality and functionality of this product. It's first rate and will do a very good job sharpening your knives, assuming you take time to learn the proper technique. Throw in an old belt with sharpening compound for stropping, and you will have the tools to put a scary sharp edge on most any knife.The only shortcoming I notice with this product is the ambiguity of the stone in determining which side is fine (600-grit) and which extra fine (1200-grit). As it turns out, it is color coded by a small circle at one end of the stone, which then can be cross-compared with a list on the packaging to determine the grit. But it's strange to me that they didn't just stamp "600-grit" and "1200-grit" on the respective sides instead of the color-coding--which would be clearer and more convenient. I simply wrote the proper grit (with an appropriately pointed arrow) on either side of the stone in permanent black ink. Technically, you can tell by feel as well. Regardless, some people are sure to be inexperienced and inadvertently use the extra fine side to initially sharpen a very dull blade, and then will get dismayed by the slowness. The fine (600-grit) side will restore a fairly dull blade very quickly, however, and is probably the best "general purpose" grit for knives. For quick blade touch ups, you could skip using the extra fine side altogether unless you really need to get your blades shaving sharp or just enjoy bringing the edge up to a more polished look.All in all, this is a great product and well worth the price. Sure, natural stone sets with comparable grits can be had for half as much money, but they require more effort and care, and thus, introduce more room for error. This is your best bet for faster, superb sharpening results. If idiot-proof convenience is your priority, you may prefer a pull-through sharpener. However, keep in mind that those kind will not put nearly as nice or as long-lasting of an edge on your knives. They are convenient thought. In my opinion, a diamond stone like this one is the best way to do it right.[UPDATE 4-1-2014: I've been using this sharpener a lot for a month and a half now and it is the best diamond sharpener I've ever owned. It works very quickly on every blade and steel I've tried, and can take a blade from very dull to very sharp in only a few dozen strokes. The trick is to keep the sharpening angle consistent for each stroke (I sharpen at 21 degrees for wilderness knives, and about 17 degrees for kitchen knives), and apply the right amount of pressure as you stroke. Once you get a feel for it, this sharpener works superbly.]

What do I like so much about this sharpening stone?I have tried all of the different whetstones out there, as well as sharpening stones, honing rods, etc..I always sharpen my own tools and also my own chef's knives as well as a few camping knives. This is the best diamond sharpening "stone" on the market. For example I must have used my first one for over four years and just a month ago bought this one to replace it! And I use this a lot. I do a lot of high end residential installation, so all of my equipment, as in cutting pliers, pocket knives, (we uncrate and unwrap tons of expensive art pieces) razor knives, and I even sharpen my awls. With this diamond bench stone I can get the edge back on my pocket knife to razor sharp in about 5 minutes.One of my installers gets a kick shaving in front of the crew with one of my pocket knives that has an exceptionally good blade right after I sharpen it. I also cook a lot and I always sharpen my cooking knife set either before of after I used them. Depends on how many times I have used them that month. This bench stone does such a great job that I really have to remind myself not to put to much pressure on the edge of the blade as I stroke it along the bench stone.Sooo... If you get one of these you will know what I am trying to describe in a minute. This bench stone is so useful, it works so well, and also so quickly that it is just a pleasure to sit down and use it. And don't think that just because it has some diamond abrasive materials that it will ruin your blades. It is quite the opposite. The fact that you can really only use light strokes with very little pressure allows your blades a much longer "use" time. By like double or triple its usual lifetime. And that is because you aren't grinding down the overall steel as much as you would using anything else every time you use it!If you ever have your tools or knives sharpened by grinding, that process, although it gives you an incredibly sharp edge, also reduces the width of your blade each time it has been sharpened by grinding. And you can get a very very similar incredibly sharp edge just using this bench stone without losing any of your steel.So I really love this bench stone. I couldn't run my business without it. I really recommend trying this one out. And I am probably understating how long I had it before I replaced it. I probably used it for closer to six years now that I am writing and thinking about it.

I purchased the DMT WM8EF-WB 8-Inch DuoSharp Plus Bench Stone - Extra Fine/Fine With Base for many reasons. First of all, DMT is an excellent company that produces high quality diamond products. Second, it is dual sided so you get two stones for the price of one. Third, it was a great price. The only thing that might be of concern to some is when you push the end tabs of the holder down to "lock" the stone in place it bends the stone up in the center SLIGHTLY. I have used it with the stand WITHOUT locking it down and have no problem doing that. For that reason I give it only four stars. The stone by itself, five stars all the way.I use this stone for sharpening large kitchen knives and also wood chisels and plane irons. I am very happy to have this in my collection.