Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone vs DMT 8-in. Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Fine
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Sharpening Stones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The SHARPAL covers coarse repair and fine honing in one stone, states its flatness tolerance, and ships with the base and the angle guide a beginner actually needs. The DMT is the better single surface if you are sharpening chisels and plane irons where flatness matters most, but you will buy more than one of them.
SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone
Buy itTwo grits, a stated flatness tolerance, an angle guide and a base, for very little money.
- Coarse 325 grit at 45 micron and extra fine 1200 grit at 12 micron on opposite faces, covering edge repair and honing in one stone.
- Ground flat to plus or minus 0.002 inches, which is the only flatness figure any of these four makers publishes.
- Monocrystalline diamond electroplated in nickel onto a stainless-steel base, with a high-impact case that doubles as a non-slip stand and a built-in guide for 14, 17, 20 and 25 degrees.
- 1200 grit is the finest side, so it will not polish an edge the way a 6000 or 8000 finishing stone does.
- At 3.04 pounds with the base it is not a stone to carry around.
- SHARPAL says the coarse side can flatten other stones but advises against doing it often, so it is not a substitute for a lapping plate.
DMT 8-in. Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Fine
Buy itA continuous diamond surface guaranteed not to hollow, and the right stone for flattening chisel backs.
- A continuous, uninterrupted diamond surface that DMT guarantees will not hollow or groove, which is what makes it usable for flattening plane soles, plane irons and chisel backs.
- Fine grade is precisely specified at 25 micron and 600 mesh, and DMT publishes its entire grit table from 120 mesh through 8000 mesh.
- Micronised monocrystalline diamond, no oil needed, works dry or with water, non-skid rubber feet, grit marked on the side of the stone, made in the USA.
- One grit per stone, so a full progression means buying three or four of them.
- DMT publishes no dimensions beyond the 8-inch length, no weight and no flatness tolerance.
- No warranty terms are stated on the product page despite the guarantee against hollowing.
Side by side
The 10 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone Our pick | DMT 8-in. Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Fine | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone buying their first proper stone, who wants coarse and fine without buying twice. | Woodworkers flattening chisel backs and plane irons, where a dead flat reference surface is the whole point. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$$ · premium |
| Abrasive type | Monocrystalline diamond on steel | Monocrystalline diamond, continuous |
| Grits | 325 / 45 micron and 1200 / 12 micron | 600 mesh / 25 micron (this model) |
| Dual sided | Yes | No |
| Flatness tolerance | Plus or minus 0.002 in / 0.05mm | Not published, guaranteed not to hollow |
| Needs oil or water | No, sharpen dry | No, dry or water |
| Size | 8.46 x 3.82 x 1.93 in | 8 in long, rest not published |
| Weight | 3.04 lb / 1.38 kg | Not published |
| Base or holder | Storage case, doubles as non-slip base | Non-skid rubber feet |
| Angle guide | Yes, 14 / 17 / 20 / 25 degrees | No |
| Warranty | 3 years | Not published |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone if
anyone buying their first proper stone, who wants coarse and fine without buying twice.
Know before buying: 1200 grit is the finest side, so it will not polish an edge the way a 6000 or 8000 finishing stone does.
Pick the DMT 8-in. Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Fine if
woodworkers flattening chisel backs and plane irons, where a dead flat reference surface is the whole point.
Know before buying: one grit per stone, so a full progression means buying three or four of them.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone - Two grits, a stated flatness tolerance, an angle guide and a base, for very little money. Choose the DMT 8-in. Dia-Sharp Bench Stone, Fine instead if woodworkers flattening chisel backs and plane irons, where a dead flat reference surface is the whole point.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Sharpening Stones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).