Thread: Shaptons on Glass

I just received my (almost) new Shaptons on Glass, a 50202 (#1000). a 50103 (#4000) and a 50203 (#8000). They were advertised as barely used and two look like they were never used. I bought them right. I need to get a holder for them (any suggestions on this?) and then go to work on my Engels.

The Genco Heavy feels like someone did some work on it and I will be sending that out to a pro to hone soon. The H. M. Christensen feels close to the Genco. But the Engels has pitting on the edge and that will be a testing razor for me to set a bevel and finish hone it.

I have been studying the Wiki articles on honing and I will begin after I polish up the finish. I have a Leica microscope (bought it for the kids' home school classes) and I can inspect my work up close. I am just learning this boys so I may ask questions that are not in the Wiki instructions so bear with me.

I have sharpened and honed knife blades to scary sharp. The way you do that is consistancy. I am treating this new art of straight razor honing like I don't know anything and following instructions. Here's to staying sharp!
Best regards,
Denny
300WSM

I've used the inexpensive stone holder from Woodcraft for my Shapton glass stones and any other hone and stone I have. I think it was less than $20. Great holder for the money and adjustable. I hear the Shapton stone holder is perfectly suited (naturally) for the Shapton stones. I like the fact that I can use the adjustable holder to firmly hold most any size stone.

Chris L

I use some of that webbed stuff on Lynn's DVD over a paper towel to absorb water. Picked the webbed stuff up at the local supermarket cheap. I also use the stone holders Chris mentioned for my DMTs and they work well too. Here is an example.

I use (and enjoy) the Shapton Stone Holder. It is
incredibly expensive for a stone holder, but it is
absolutely solid and keeps the stones flat and
completely immobile -- there is just no give in
any direction.

- Scott

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I've used the inexpensive stone holder from Woodcraft for my Shapton glass stones and any other hone and stone I have. I think it was less than $20. Great holder for the money and adjustable. I hear the Shapton stone holder is perfectly suited (naturally) for the Shapton stones. I like the fact that I can use the adjustable holder to firmly hold most any size stone.

Chris L

Hey Chris,
It was under 20 for sure when I got mine at craftsman studios. It might have been 15 bucks over there. It will hold just about any stone and is nice a heavy built. Best bang for buck IMHO.
Mike

Originally Posted by sebell

I use (and enjoy) the Shapton Stone Holder. It is
incredibly expensive for a stone holder, but it is
absolutely solid and keeps the stones flat and
completely immobile -- there is just no give in
any direction.

- Scott

I use it too. I couldn't get over how heavy it is, and it raises the stone to a perfect height for honing when on table for me. It is ridiculously expensive though.

I'd like to offer three VERY cheap options.

1. A terrycloth dishcloth folded in haft will raise it "just" enough that you can hone properly if you don't mind your finger tips dragging on the table. It also absorbs excess water.

2. Quite some time ago I saw some pictures where a guy had bought a bunch of rubber bouncy balls, cut them in half, and glued them to the bottom as feet. A little sand paper to level them up, and he was ready to go.

3. NOTHING. Seriously. I know that everybody likes to have the honing surface a few inches above the table, and I understand why. But, let's be honest, These are no thinner than a barber hone, and I can use my barber hone sitting on the counter with nothing under it. In fact, I do just that on a regular basis. If you set your shapton on the edge of the table, you'll have all the clearance underneath that you could ever need.

I use a treated 2x4 and a flat cafeteria tray in conjuction with the rubberized shelf liner.

I lay down a large piece of shelf liner, then the tray on top of that. Then I put a small piece of shelf liner in the tray, and put the 2x4 on that. Another small piece of shelf liner on the 2x4 and then the stones go on top of the whole thing. You don't have to tighten a stone holder, the stones are held firmly in place.... and it's cheap. It's also a nice height.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

In fact, I do just that on a regular basis. If you set your shapton on the edge of the table, you'll have all the clearance underneath that you could ever need.

This is true, Steve. I've done this with all manner of
hones, thick and thin. Actually, I _still_ do this with
the Shapton Stone Holder

- Scott

You guys are the very best... Ask for some help and the whole gamut appears before your eyes. I will try the inexpensive (read cheap) way for now.

My wife is babbling to herself in some corner of the house after seeing what my new "it's really inexpensive, Sweetie" hobby is costing me (three razors, badger brush, soap, strop, Shapton stones, honing fee, scuttle, etc.)! This was right after a new Andis Master clipper and two pair of ice tempered shears for her to cut my hair to save money!
But after all a guy has to shave too, right?

I will spring for heavy duty after the appropriate length of time has passed... you know, the time it takes for her not to grab my 44 Ruger and go to target practice just to get the point across !

By the way. My wife is the berries. I read this to her before posting and she said, "Your friends should get a laugh out of that one. Go ahead and post it..it doesn't bother me!" She cooks, sews, bakes, plays piano (she's a teacher), hunts deer with me and will even gut out her own. She butchers them too if I skin them and quarter them. And she has a great sense of humor... she had to to marry me!

Sounds like the two by four method should work and I have everything setting out in my shop to build it. I will try that first and if it doesn't suit me the holder Chris and Jimmy suggested will do the job, I am sure. I may wait and save up for the Shapton if the two by four works for a while.

Thanks for the input and best regards,
Denny
300WSM