Atoma Diamond Stone Flattening Plate Fine (600 Grit)

This is a 140 girt Atoma diamond plate made specifically for stone flattening. I previously use a regular diamond plate without the handle to flatten my waterstone, while Atoma does not stick as much as other stones due to how its abrasive dots are aligned, it still does stick, especially when the stone has quite a bit of mud developed. 

It was on a trip to visit Dobashi-san of Maruoyama in Kyoto that I discovered this awesome "handled" Atoma plates that he use to flatten his natural stones. Because the handle allows you to grip the plate that much easier, you will not feel the diamond plate stick to the stone at all. So for those who intend to use diamond plates mainly for stone conditioning purpose, I recommend this handled version 100%.

Grit: Fine (600 grit), suitable for lower grit (<1000 grit) stones or reconditioning badly maintained stones.

Measurement: 210mm x 75mm

Manufactured by Tsuboman, the Atoma diamond plate is arguably the best diamond plate offerings with a reasonable budget.

Unique to Atoma, the diamond abrasive is electro-bonded to a thin layer of steel sheet, which is than taped to a 10mm aluminum base. In this way, the actual abrasive sheets are easily replaced, saving the cost of replacing the base and reduce shipping cost.

The diamond abrasive of the Atoma is deposited in an array of small dots which leaves plenty of spaces in between to allow water escape. This is particularly useful when used as a flattening stone, which often the diamond plate tends to get suck to the waterstone.

I mainly use the Atoma as a flattening stone, and find it last much longer than a few of other diamond plates I use to have, particularly the DMT. While the diamond abrasive in the Atoma does wear off, but in a rate that is much slower than the DMT. It is as if the Atoma has a bit of thickness built into it while the DMT is just a very thin layer of abrasive.  I find the Atoma has a better overall performance and is better value for money.