Some counterintuitive findings from The Science of Sharp, analyzing the cutting surface of straight-edge razors honed on varying grits of DMT diamond plates.

"Often, results that contradict our intuitive expectations are a key to identifying and improving our deficient understanding."

I use DMT diamond plates to hone the gravers I use with my watchmaking lathe. Anecdotally, I find that finishing to a mirror polish using the extra-extra-fine diamond plate yields an appreciably better finish when turning down a pivot or an arbor. I'd love to see a similar set of SEM images run on a watchmaker's graver, which would be less prone to the plastic deformation conjectured through these results.