Thread: Shapton 30k Usage

Originally Posted by sebell

Hi folks,

My Shapton 30k GS arrived from HMS today, and
I was wondering if there was anyone around who
uses this hone on a regular basis. If so, how do
you use it in your own progressions?

I'm currently using 1,2,4,8,16k Shapton GS hones,
followed by an 8x3" Nakayama. Usually I do 20-
30 stokes on the Nakayama and seldom more than
15 on the Shapton 16k. I don't finish with pastes
currently but I've used CrO before.

It's hard to see where this stone would fit, but I'm
eager to experiment

- Scott

Scott, I don't want to be impertinent, but I can't help but ask... I thought you said you had cut down to only one razor, the SRP Livi? What for all the hones?

I would make sure to finish with Chromium Oxide though. I have found that it is the one thing one can do that will add mountains of smoothness to a shave.


R

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

I was under the impression that Cr02 was a larger micron size that the 30k shapton. How would going from the finer 30k to the leather and cr02 improve an edge?

To my thinking it may have something to do with the shape of the cutting grit, like with diamond vs garnet grit.

Or am I just thinking to much after work on faulty brain cells

The CrO is approximately the same micron size as the 30K Shapton. The CrO does indeed smooth the edge of the 30K. It is like adding Carnuba Wax to the edge.

bj

I have more disappoining results from chromium oxide than positive ones. the resulting edge from it almost always seems less keen (sounds a lot like my complaints with a coticule, huh).

Apparently, I like having an edge with "bite." For me, the SGS 30K gives a super smooth edge and the keenness that I'm looking for.

I have found that when it comes to edges it is definitely a personal thing. I have found, for Chromium, the harder the steel the better the results. I use to shave off 0.25 diamond and really liked it but when I went to Chromium I found that I can get a razor to sharp. I know, I know, some will say to sharp is not possible and I use to be one of them but with Chromium I get shaves that are velvet smooth.


Richard

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

The CrO is approximately the same micron size as the 30K Shapton. The CrO does indeed smooth the edge of the 30K. It is like adding Carnuba Wax to the edge.

bj

According to the Hand American CrO bottle, .5 micron CrO has an approximate grit of 60k. I don't know if this is correct or not.

Originally Posted by RayG

Scott, I don't want to be impertinent, but I can't help but ask... I thought you said you had cut down to only one razor, the SRP Livi? What for all the hones?

Well, Ray, I only have the Shapton GS series
and the Nakayama, so I'm not looking at much
duplication there

I'm interested in shaving and honing, but not
collecting. The idea is to have my own razor
(a favourite), and have plenty of time to hone
razors for other folks.

Regards,

- Scott

Originally Posted by Pete_S

According to the Hand American CrO bottle, .5 micron CrO has an approximate grit of 60k. I don't know if this is correct or not.

It is not if it is 0.5 micron Chromium Oxide. The rough formula is: Estimated Microns = (14755)/(Grit)

Using above formula for a 16K Shapton stone for instance:

Microns= (14755)/(16000)
= 0.922

The Shapton stone has the figure of 0.92 micron embossed under the glass. I have found this formula fairly reliable.

Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

It is not if it is 0.5 micron Chromium Oxide. The rough formula is: Estimated Microns = (14755)/(Grit)

Using above formula for a 16K Shapton stone for instance:

Microns= (14755)/(16000)
= 0.922

The Shapton stone has the figure of 0.92 micron embossed under the glass. I have found this formula fairly reliable.

Take Care,
Richard

Richard, this jives with the 30k: 0.4918 micron
by your formula, and 0.49 on the back of the
hone.

- Scott

Originally Posted by sebell

Richard, this jives with the 30k: 0.4918 micron
by your formula, and 0.49 on the back of the
hone.

- Scott

The problem I have with getting use from the numbers of the CrO is how the Cro is used. I look at it as an edge refiner and I imagine it breaking off micro burs in the grooves of the teeth. It also has a gentle abrasive factor involved but stopping off the edge is much different effect than honing it. Has it not been suggested that a stopping stroke or two on a hone corrects overhoning and gets rid of burs? Maybe an experiment with stropping on a 30K would be interesting. I would be more than happy to apply the scientific method if anyone wanted to donate a 30k shapton for my laboratory
Mike