DMT W250FC-WB DuoSharp 10-Inch Double-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone - Fine/Coarse Grit with Base | Professional Knife & Tool Sharpener for Kitchen, Workshop & Outdoor Use

Recently I purchased DMT Sharpening Stones in Extra Course, Course, Fine and Extra Fine.While I anticipated this system would work well it's performance far exceeded my expectations. With a simple honing guide you can with unerring accuracy successfully sharpen just about any straight blade in your tool box time after time.Go to the kitchen and grab the knives and with a little practice, very soon, professionally sharpened razors! Not for ceramic knives, but you most likely knew that.Finally, very expedient. I was able to remove nicks in both chisels and a 2-1/2" hand plane blade in a matter of seconds. Very little pressure is required. Enough to simply hold the honing jig in place as you move forward and backward and the diamond surfaces remove metal like it was putty. Very compact, no damaging the temper of the blades, easy to haul with you and cordless!I have used other systems including a water stone system from a major tool manufacturer that was successful but very messy and slow. Repeat set up was time consuming from chisel to chisel.This system , while very high tech in its compounds, is incredibly easy, fast, simple to use. And for the nut cases like me, you can actually "feel" the material being cut or polished as you move through the grades. You can almost sharpen by feel and sound, sans eyesight.As long as the plates stay flat and the diamonds remain firmly embedded, I see this system being my default sharpening tool for years to come.The base could be a little more substantial. I have doubts that the clips on the plate retainer will last as long as the stones, plus they are not very easy to remove. However, having used the system a few times I now prefer to place the stones on the silicone pad provided, rather than the base. I may make a base myself as I have the capacity to mill and machine, from more durable materials, with a little improvement here and there. I would not spend the money on the base unless you really want to.Regarding the price, well, you get what you pay for.Happy nick removing