DMT Hand Tools

DMT Hand Tools at Tooled-Up.com

DMT (Diamond Machining Technology) has established itself as the world's leading manufacturer of diamond sharpening products, revolutionising the way professionals and craftspeople maintain their cutting tools. Since 1976, DMT has pioneered the use of diamond abrasives in sharpening technology, moving away from traditional oil and water stones to create faster, cleaner, and more consistent sharpening solutions. The DMT range available from Tooled-Up.com encompasses an extensive selection of diamond sharpeners, whetstones, files, and honing tools designed to keep chisels, plane irons, knives, scissors, and other edge tools in peak condition.

What sets DMT apart in the hand tools category is their commitment to precision-engineered diamond abrasive technology. Unlike conventional sharpening stones that wear unevenly and require flattening, DMT's diamond sharpening surfaces remain flat throughout their lifespan, ensuring consistent bevels and accurate edge geometry. Their products require no oils or water during use, making them cleaner and more convenient for both workshop and site applications. From compact pocket-sized sharpeners to professional bench stones, Tooled-Up stocks DMT solutions for every sharpening requirement.

DMT's innovative approach extends beyond traditional bench stones to include specialised tools such as cone-shaped sharpeners for serrated blades, diamond-coated files for curved edges, and credit card-sized sharpeners that fit easily into tool bags. Their colour-coded grit system makes selecting the right abrasive level straightforward, whether users need aggressive material removal or mirror-finish polishing. Each DMT product is manufactured in the USA to exacting quality standards, ensuring reliability and longevity that professionals depend upon.

Why Choose DMT Hand Tools?

DMT's reputation in the sharpening industry is unmatched, built on decades of innovation and consistent performance. Their diamond sharpening technology delivers three to five times faster sharpening compared to traditional whetstones, significantly reducing downtime and improving productivity. The monocrystalline diamond surface won't hollow out or develop grooves like conventional stones, eliminating the need for time-consuming stone maintenance and ensuring every sharpening session produces reliable results.

Durability is a hallmark of DMT products. The diamond surface is permanently bonded to precision-flat steel plates, creating tools that last for years even under heavy professional use. This longevity represents exceptional value, as DMT sharpeners typically outlast multiple conventional stones. The no-mess sharpening process—requiring neither oil nor water—makes DMT tools ideal for site work, vehicle storage, and any environment where traditional wet sharpening would be impractical.

DMT's commitment to innovation means their product range continues to evolve with the needs of modern tradespeople. Their DuoSharp stones feature different grits on each side for versatile sharpening options, whilst their DiaSharp bench stones provide large sharpening surfaces for plane irons and wide chisels. The Dia-Fold range brings professional sharpening capability to pocket-sized portable formats, perfect for carpenters, electricians, and other trades who need to maintain sharp tools throughout the working day.

Who Uses DMT Hand Tools?

DMT sharpening tools are trusted by a diverse range of professionals and enthusiasts who demand sharp, precise cutting edges:

• Carpenters and Joiners: Maintaining razor-sharp chisels, plane irons, and marking knives for precision woodworking
• Kitchen Fitters: Keeping cutting tools sharp for accurate scribing and trimming work
• Electricians: Sharpening cable knives and stripping tools for clean, safe cuts
• Landscapers and Groundskeepers: Maintaining secateurs, shears, and mower blades for clean cuts that promote plant health
• Wood Turners: Achieving and maintaining the keen edges required for detailed turning work
• Chefs and Catering Professionals: Professional knife maintenance for food preparation
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home workshop tool maintenance without the mess and complexity of traditional sharpening methods
• Woodcarvers and Sculptors: Maintaining specialist gouges and carving tools with precision
• Mechanics and Engineers: Sharpening scrapers, deburring tools, and precision cutting implements

Key Features of DMT Hand Tools

Monocrystalline Diamond Technology: DMT uses premium monocrystalline diamonds that are more durable and sharper than polycrystalline alternatives, ensuring consistent cutting action and extended product life. The diamonds are precision-graded and uniformly distributed across the sharpening surface for even abrasive performance.

Precision-Flat Surfaces: All DMT bench stones are manufactured to strict flatness tolerances, essential for maintaining accurate blade geometry and consistent bevel angles. This flatness is permanent—the surface won't dish or wear unevenly like traditional stones.

Colour-Coded Grit System: DMT's intuitive colour coding makes grit selection simple: Extra-Extra-Coarse (black) for damaged edges, Extra-Coarse (silver) for rapid reshaping, Coarse (blue) for general sharpening, Fine (red) for regular maintenance, Extra-Fine (green) for polishing, and Extra-Extra-Fine (tan) for mirror finishes.

No Liquids Required: Unlike water stones or oil stones, DMT sharpeners work effectively dry, though a light water spray can help clear swarf. This eliminates mess, simplifies cleanup, and makes DMT tools practical for site work and mobile applications.

Perforated Surface Design: Many DMT products feature interrupted surface patterns that prevent suction, allow swarf clearance, and reduce friction during sharpening. This design ensures smooth, controlled sharpening strokes without the blade grabbing or sticking.

Popular DMT Hand Tools

The DMT DuoSharp range remains one of the most popular choices at Tooled-Up, offering double-sided bench stones with different grits on each face. Available in various grit combinations and sizes, DuoSharp stones provide exceptional versatility whilst requiring minimal storage space. The plastic base includes non-slip feet for stable benchtop use.

DMT Dia-Fold sharpeners bring professional diamond sharpening technology to a pocket-portable format. These folding sharpeners protect the diamond surface when not in use and are ideal for tradespeople who need to maintain sharp tools throughout the working day without returning to the workshop.

DMT DiaSharp bench stones offer continuous diamond surfaces in large formats, perfect for sharpening plane irons, wide chisels, and other tools requiring long, uninterrupted sharpening strokes. Available in various sizes and grits, these professional-grade stones suit serious craftspeople and production environments.

DMT diamond files and cones address specialist sharpening requirements, including serrated blades, curved edges, and hard-to-reach areas. These shaped sharpeners maintain the same diamond technology advantages whilst providing access that flat stones cannot achieve.

Safety and Compliance

Whilst DMT sharpening products are inherently safer than powered grinding equipment, proper handling practices ensure optimal results and user safety. Always secure workpieces or sharpening stones to prevent movement during use. When sharpening, stroke away from your body and keep fingers clear of the blade edge. Maintain consistent angles throughout the sharpening process to achieve uniform bevels and predictable cutting performance.

DMT products comply with relevant UK and European safety standards for hand tools. The diamond surface presents no chemical hazards, unlike some abrasive compounds, and requires no special disposal considerations. When sharpening in professional environments, ensure adequate lighting to monitor edge development and maintain proper technique.

Store DMT sharpeners in their protective cases or in locations where the diamond surface won't contact other hard materials that could cause damage. Whilst extremely durable, diamond surfaces can be chipped by impact with carbide or other diamonds. Regular cleaning with water and a stiff brush removes accumulated swarf and maintains optimal sharpening performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do DMT diamond sharpeners work on all tool steels?

Yes, DMT diamond sharpeners effectively sharpen all tool steels, from basic carbon steel to advanced powder metallurgy alloys and high-speed steel. They're also effective on carbide and ceramic materials that would quickly damage conventional stones. The diamond abrasive is significantly harder than any tool steel, ensuring consistent cutting action regardless of blade material.

How long do DMT sharpening products last?

With proper care, DMT sharpeners typically last for many years of regular use. Professional tradespeople report decades of service from single stones. The monocrystalline diamond surface wears extremely slowly, and the precision-flat steel backing ensures the sharpening surface geometry remains consistent throughout the product's lifespan. DMT backs their products with warranties that reflect this exceptional durability.

Can I use DMT sharpeners for kitchen knives as well as woodworking tools?

Absolutely. DMT sharpeners excel at maintaining kitchen knives, pocket knives, and culinary tools alongside woodworking chisels and plane irons. The same characteristics that make DMT ideal for workshop tools—fast cutting action, no mess, consistent results—benefit kitchen knife maintenance. Many professionals use DMT products for both culinary and woodworking applications.

What grit should I start with for general tool sharpening?

For regular maintenance of tools in reasonable condition, start with DMT's Coarse grit (blue) or Fine grit (red). Coarse works well for establishing bevels and general sharpening, whilst Fine suits regular touch-ups and maintenance. For damaged or very dull edges, begin with Extra-Coarse (silver). Follow coarser grits with Fine and Extra-Fine for progressively refined edges. Many tradespeople find a DuoSharp combination stone with Coarse/Fine or Fine/Extra-Fine covers most requirements.

Do DMT sharpeners need flattening like traditional whetstones?

No, this is one of DMT's key advantages. The diamond surface is bonded to precision-flat steel plates that maintain their geometry indefinitely. Unlike traditional stones that dish out and require periodic flattening with lapping plates, DMT sharpeners remain flat throughout their service life. This ensures consistent bevel angles and eliminates the time and expense of stone maintenance, making DMT products particularly cost-effective for professional users.