>>1977075I think the coarse/fine DMT is ESSENTIAL to quickly put an apex or fix a chipped/rolled/used edge. Even light use takes forever to fix with a 1k.
Not to mention a 1k happens to dish out quicker than the 6k, so using it to fix edges is going to not only take longer but use up the stone.
And a stone flattener is also ESSENTIAL. I used to think if I used the whole stone evenly I'd never need one... then I got one and sharpening on whetstones gives me FAR more satisfactory results AND you don't have to remove as much material if you flatten regularly.
The DMT gives your apex a perfectly flat and even angle (your skill and control notwithstanding), why fuck it up with a dished waterstone? Keeping waterstones flat and using diamond lower grits has proven essential to a quick clean razor edge.
I highly suggest a veg tan strop with white compound, but if $10 extra really be too dear feel free to omit.
