DMT B8250 DuoSharp DuoBase - bench stone base

Really good lightweight DMT holder for sharpening stones. It is really easy to set up and use as once you put on the rubber bumper pads, it is good to go. I had my doubts about this product at first as it seems like it was too lightweight to stay put and my 8” stones were a bit short of the end stops on the holder. However, the designed it well as the weight of the heavy DMT steel plates keeps the entire structure in place for sharpening. It becomes rock solid and the holder definitely makes sharpening easier by keeping your hands above your working surface.

I was somewhat confused because the Amazon listing for this item says that it will support a 6x2 inch stone and my DMT stones are 8 inches. But I saw on the manufacturer’s web site that the duo-base for the with the same SKU was suitable for my larger stones. When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find that my 8 inch stones fit perfectly and, from the adjustments that are possible, it appears that this base will also support the next larger DMT stone (which I guess would be about 9 inches). The adjustments for mounting the stone to the base are intuitive and, while it is plastic, it is adequate for the task of sharpening.

I use this base to hold 4" DMT whetstones and sharpen chisels and planes. These heavy items can move around an unsecured sharpening system. Plus the DMT stones are used wet which makes the table top slippery unless you are a lot neater than I am.I was very satisfied with the plastic base. It never moved even when placed on wet formica. The elevated height allowed me to guide the tool along the edge and to flatten the chisel backs without hitting fingers on the table top. Eight rubber washers slip over plastic feet. Sounds flimsy, but its not. I would recommend gluing the rubber feet on at some point just so they don't get lost.It also lets one store the diamond plate without scratching other surfaces or damaging the plate bottom.The diamond stone came with a non-skid pad, but it would not hold a piece of plate glass still unless the table top was perfectly flat (and most are not).The main disadvantage to the holder is that the stone cannot be easily flipped over. One plastic end must be removed and then reinserted. Maybe a 15 second job, but if you are going to use both sides in succession, it's inconvenient. I wish I had bought a coarse/fine combo instead of a fine/x-fine.Money well spent.

it "kinda" does what it's supposed to...i bought this to go with the 6"x2" DMT diamond stones that i bought, and they fit in the inner slot, but doing so lowers the clearance between the stone & the surface of this holder, and there's too much of a lip from the edge of the stone to the edge of the holder, keeping you from being able to get the knife all the way up to the stone properly for some knives, which causes you to not be able to sharpen the entire length of the sharp edge. Should be adjustable to fit different size stones.

Stone is a bit difficult to get to fit exactly. Have the same brand stone.

This is just about the perfect height for sharpening all kinds of stuff. So far I've sharpened kitchen knives, pocket knives and straight razors with this. It enables one to get an excellent bevel on a straight and to carefully control the bevel on kitchen knives and the like. I've not used any kind of jig, it's all by hand. The rubber feet on the bottom hold the stand steady and the rubber feet under the stone anchor the stone in place. Finally, there is a handle on the bottom of the stand that allows one to hold the base with whichever stone you might require and move the surface over a stationary item. I've done this with waterstones in order to get a flat surface. Works great, I'm very pleased.

Doesn’t work with their 6x2 stones, they’re included in their list of compatible stones and product photos but the recess is too short.

I am pleased. It not only keeps the stone from moving, but elevates it which makes knife sharpening easier.