As a new member of this forum, allow me to suggest an alternative view point regarding diamond honing stones. I have all of the grades of DMT diamond stones. My experience with them for purposes of honing fine woodworking tools has been less than satisfactory.
First, I feel that diamond stones are too limited in their ability to provide a keen edge to justify their high cost. Diamond stones deliver a very unrefined edge even in the finest grit. Rough honing does not require an expensive stone. Hand woodworking tools will require a keener edge (up to 8000 grit) than diamond plates or stones (approx 1000 grit ) can deliver. I recommend graduated grades of sandpaper on a flat backing such as glass, granite or even MDF, or a set of waterstones.
Secondly, diamond stones quickly wear to much less aggressive cutting ability. If you use them to flatten other stones, they can literally be worn beyond usefulness. Water stones continuously expose new cutting particles and maintain their same cutting effectiveness clear to the end. Sandpaper is easily and cheaply replaced.
Third, diamond stones are notoriously un-flat and semi-flexible. Flatness is essential in honing of woodworking edges. Waterstone's flatness needs to be maintained, but at least can be brought to a state of flatness. Flatness in sandpaper sharpening is as good as the substrate to which it is attached; in other words, constant.
For the above reasons, I would avoid the purchase of diamond stones as the primary method of maintaining woodworking hand tool cutting edges.
