Thread: Shapton 16k VS Strop w/.05

If your touching up with a with a Shapton 16k, would you then hit the strop with some diamond .05 ,
Or the strop with paste first, then the 16k, or is that just overkill?

If you thought it would get you where you want to be there is no reason why not. I have read that the edge may not last as long before it needs to be touched up again if paste is used too much but I haven't used it enough to know first hand.

I always come of the hone and strop with linen and then leather. Then I shave. I do a first pass and if it is satisfactory I don't use paste at all. If the first pass isn't cutting it (no pun intended) I rinse, lather up again and then do 10 laps with 1.0 diamond paste and follow with another 10 laps with chrom ox to smooth it out a little. Then I do my second pass.

A lot of guys finish with paste after honing. No rules against it. I just want to see how sharp I can get it without it. When I get to the point where I can consistently get sharp enough to suit me off of the hones by themselves I may start finishing with paste to get even sharper but I am not there yet. So that is just me.

Thanks Jimmy, I was thinking strop after the hone myself. To tell you the truth, I haven't purchased the Shapton yet. I'm still deciding. What I don't like is the cost of the lapping stone. I heard you can flatten the shapton on a piece of glass with 600 grit sandpaper, wet I assume.

I haven't messed with lapping with sandpaper but many guys do it. You don't need the expensive Shapton GDLP, The D8C DMT plate will work fine and it is useful for other things too.

I've heard that. Something else to consider.

I use the 16K, which is around 0.9 Micron, then I hit the razor with 0.5 then 0.25 diamond paste. I noticed a real improvement in using the 16K Shapton in place of the 1.0 in my normal series of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 pastes. I could get about 7 days before I needed a touchup before, now I can get by with about 14 or 15 shaves before touch-ups and the quality of the shaves seems a lot better.


Take Care,
Richard

I've owned the 16K Shapton for some time now and prior to getting a 30K Shapton my usual routine was to go from the 16K to .5Micron DP on a balsa paddle followed by CrOx on a paddle.

My personal preference is a sharper edge than the 16K can deliver-I'm not concerned whatsoever about the edges longevity-as long as it will just last the shave. If I have to touch up the razor on the next shave- so be it.

IMO, there is no such thing as overkill-as long as I get a comfortable shave-I want the edge brutally sharp. .25dp IMO, does create a rough edge for my preference-and taking the .25 edge and going to CrOx dulls it to some degree. I think the 16K is one of the most useful in the Shapton line. I'm still learning the 30K and have found that there are certain razors that still respond better to a final finish on diamond paste. But overall, 16K followed by DP or even CrOx- if you enjoy the shave.