KME vs DMT sharpeners?

[Red Boar]

Looking for a broadhead sharpener for the "mechanically disinclined".  For those with experience, which of the 2 is the easiest and produces the best results?  I use primarily Silver Flames, but also have some Magnus heads.   Thanks in advance.       Also, are there others that I should consider that my be better than both of these I've mentioned?     :confused:

[BobW]

I do not know about the DMT, but find the KME excellent.  Also the "technical support" available from Ron (he will talk you through just about anything you could encounter) is about as good as it can get (truth be told, he will even tell you how to use other systems).  The product is well thought out and well built.  It made my life easier.

For what its worth, I have used it on Eclipse, Magnus and old Bear heads with success (though those darn Eclipse blades are a bugger!).  My heads are all 2-blade (but it would sharpen bleeders well too from what I have seen), and screw-in models.

BobW

[peter c iacavazzi]

I have to 2nd the above. I can only comment on the KME. The KME is an amazing sharpening system!

Ron, (the owner) is a great guy and very helpful. It is safe to say the customer service from Ron and KME is fantastic. I own both the KME knife and broadhead sharpening systems and I have gotten excellent results with both.

The KME is easy to use, extremely high quality, and Ron is always willing to instruct you on how best to use the system.

My vote is KME!

Peter Iacavazzi

[Bill Turner]

I have not used the DMT but I recently purchased the KME after years of sharpening to shave by stone and file without problem. The KME is very well thought out, and as BobW said above, the customer service is second to none. If you have questions before purchasing visit the KME website and then give Ron of KME a call or e-mail him. It will not take you long to figure out why the KME product is so highly touted on this site and others.  

[bentpole]

KME Ron is a good man and he makes a great sharping system.

[Red Boar]

Great feedback, thanks!  How about the stones?  Did you order the standard kit, any extra stones?  He mentions something about the translucent extra fine in the video.  Did you all order that as well? Thanks again.  

[peter c iacavazzi]

Ron would be the best person to answer your stone question. I have several course and fine stones.

What I would suggest is to contact Ron either via phone or e-mail and let him know what type of knife and/or broadheads you'll be working with. Ron is very knowledgable as to what stone(s) will best fit you.

KME is a sponser here so you can easily get Ron's contact info.

Best, Peter Iacavazzi

[Jeremy]

I have the DMT.  The KME is a much better designed and built product.  I have no complaints with the DMT - it works fine for what I use it for, but if I were to buy another (and I will eventually) it'll be the KME.  The DMT doesn't handle small pocketknives well... not sure about the KME.

A word on the grits of the stones - this is on the US sandpaper scale (CAMI standard) not the manufacturer's varying scales:

DMT diamond stones:
Course is 280 grit
Fine is 500 grit
Extra fine is 900 grit - not really an extra fine stone

Arkansas stones:
Wa****a is 360 grit
Soft is 600 grit
Hard is 1000 grit
Translucent is 2000 grit
Black is ~3000 grit

Waterstones (again, converting from JIS to CAMI standards:
600 is 500 grit
1000 is 700 grit
1500 is 1000 grit
4000 is 2000 grit

If you go with the DMT stones (with either sharpening system) don't expect a polished edge with the extra fine DMT stone.  Get the translucent stone if you're going for that.

[owlbait]

KME+Made in U.S.A.=Best

[BowBrain]

What are the pros & cons of the Standadard Kit with Arkansas stone vs. the Diamond kit with DMT stones?

[fyrfyter43]

Another vote for KME. Ron's type of customer service is something rare in today's world. Like others have said, he's always willing to take the time to answer your questions, and make sure that you are getting what you need, rather than what will bring him the most profit.

As far as which type of stones...I prefer Arkansas stones. I feel they give a finer edge than diamond stones. But I have recently been thinking about getting a set of the DMT stones to try out with my knife sharpener.

[Jeremy]

BB, tough one.  I've worn out a course DMT stone in the last year, but it's stayed perfectly flat the whole time.  An arkansas stone would have dished slightly from the abuse, but could be flattened again (with quite a bit of work).

The diamonds cut faster and are more consistent than the typical Arkansas stone.  Ron doesn't sell the typical Arkansas stone though and it's safe to take him on his word that these are some of the best out there.

You'll get a a finer hone with the Arkansas (based on grit size alone) but with the natural stones you also get the grit breaking down further to smaller sizes, giving a finer hone.

I've been using the DMT stones on knives only.  Anything that I really want to hone I go to natural stones, though I'm impressed with some of the ceramic stones that are out there now - cut like a diamond, work like an Arkansas.

[KentuckyTJ]

Never used DMT. Love my KME.

[rybohunter]

I was a sharpening challenged person until I started usign A KME. Works wonderful. I do my replacement blades for my thunderheads and the normal 2 blade magnus heads I use on my trad setup.

[Red Boar]

Thanks for the great replies...just ordered my KME.    

[Sharpster]

Hey!!!

I think you guys are all pretty darned biased!
   

Ron

[Scott Gray]

Well, after seeing the great things that have been said about KME sharpeners and watching the video on the KME website several times I just ordered one from 3Rivers. I will probably order a finishing stone from Ron, either the black or translucent stone. Both look as though they should give a serious polished razor edge that I am looking for.