Atoma Diamond Sharpening Stone – #600

Atoma Diamond sharpening stone from Japanese manufacturer Tsuboman with #600 grit is a premium diamond plate for sharpening blades. A diamond stone is a great alternative for anyone who likes to save time on sharpening, as it removes material very quickly (both from whetstones and when repairing/sharpening knives), and works very well with all types of steel.

One of the main arguments why the diamond sharpening stone works so well is that it is completely flat and does not wear/dish when used. On the surface of the stone, there are exclusively monocrystalline diamonds which are more expensive than polycrystalline, but also much more durable. They are bonded to the plate by an electrolytic process.

Diamond stones can be compared to sandpaper in structure – both have a thin layer of abrasive surface attached to a non-abrasive base. Of course, the lifespan of the two is not comparable – the diamond will last much longer. Initially, the surface will be extremely rough/sharp, followed by a long period of medium roughness which will eventually wear off. This diamond stone is sold with a 10mm thick aluminum base (glued to the diamond plate), which makes it durable, rust-resistant, and reliable for lapping.

All diamond stones can be used for sharpening as well as flattening other stones, but for flattening, we recommend grit #140 or #400.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 210 x 75 x 11mm (8.3″ x 3″ x 0.45″)

USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

• For knife sharpening – place the diamond stone on a flat surface and make sure it won’t move around (use a stone holder for the most secure position). Proceed with the same movement/sharpening technique as with whetstones to sharpen the blade (see our Knife Sharpening Guide for details). The #600 grit is recommended for initial sharpening, which should be followed by higher granulations (ex. #1200) and then a leather strop. Make sure to splash some water on the diamond stone before sharpening.

Advantages of diamond sharpening stones:

• quickly removes material when repairing or changing the blade’s geometry
• quick sanding and straightening
• can be used for sharpening very hard powder steels (ZDP-189, HAP-40, R2)
• it retains its shape and does not wear/dish with use
• lower granulations (#140 and #400 grit) are excellent for flattening whetstones and repairing damaged blades.

Disadvantages of diamond sharpening stones:

• for a really fine/smooth edge and very precise sharpening, whetstones are a much better choice – diamond stones are too rough
• not suitable for making kasumi (mirror) finish on the blade