Here’s a clever little tool that I don’t like to be without, at home or on the jobsite. I bought the Diamond Mini Sharp at the counter at Bissett, one of my favorite landscape suppliers here on Long Island. I needed something to touch up my Felcos (another Tool That Doesn’t Suck!) The pruners were too dull for the triangular ceramic rod to touch up, and the Mini was small enough to work the blade, so I bought the blue Coarse grit model. I remember it was under $20. I figured it wouldn’t last long but I’d probably get my money’s worth.
That had to be over 20 years ago. Not only does it still work, it hardly shows any wear. Over the years it has migrated from my keychain to my shoulder bag, as the keys have multiplied and my time in the field lessened, but I still keep it close by.
I wanted to see what DMT said about the Mini, so I checked out the website www.dmtsharp.com. For all you tech geeks who like to know the details, like I do, what makes this little sharpener special are “micronized monocrystalline diamonds, precisely sized for a more uniform diamond surface.” According to DMT, other diamond surfaces typically offer “the lesser grade poly-crystalline diamond. Mono-crystalline is like an ice cube made up of one particle holding its form while poly-crystalline is like a snow-cone made up of many small particles that get sheared off during use.”
Okay, I can believe ice cubes sharpen better than snow cones. DMT also touts its manufacturing process assures the most diamonds per square inch in the industry, providing a more durable sharpening surface.
Well, after all these years, I can attest to its durability.
But what about the polka dots? you ask. Turns out the “Interrupted Diamond Surface” for which DMT is famous has slightly recessed holes that will collect metal fines (swarf) removed during sharpening to prevent loading.
Gotta love those dots. And here’s the kicker – it costs less now than I paid way back then! After all these years, it’s available online for only $8.95 plus shipping. Truly a Tool That Don’t Suck. I think I’m gonna go buy one of the big models for my kitchen knives.
For more Tools That Don’t Suck, check out some more of Demi’s articles! Cordless (Liner) Trimmers, Hypath Bags, Wiss W10TM Scissors, and many more!
About the Author:
DEMI FORTUNA
Demi has been in water garden construction since 1986. As Atlantic’s Director of Product Information, if he’s not building water features, he’s writing or talking about them. If you have a design or construction question, he’s the one to ask.
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