DMT B8250 DuoSharp DuoBase - bench stone base

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.

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.

This holder gives good knuckle clearance and will lock their DuoSharp stones in place should you want to use the stones on blades too long for the stone (It has a handle on the bottom to use for this). You can also use it as a rest for their DiaSharp stones since the feet on those stones are non-slip.I do think that it's a bit overpriced for what it is but it is handy.

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 am glad that I bought the bench stone base. I think the elevated surface makes sharpening easier. It holds the stone rock solid and the little rubber pads keep it from sliding. There are plastic tabs that snap in place to remove and replace the stone for a different coarseness or to clean it. I assume that they will not fatigue and snap off. If I get a couple years of use it will be worthwhile. If I get more it is a bargain.

It fits DMT stones only, which are good. This was a surprise.

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 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.