Thread: Shapton's 30,000 or Coticule?

Hello All,

It seems that I've got a beard that's made of Tungsten Carbide because my recently honed Henckels is already dull and no amount of stropping with leather or lined will help. Admittedly my stropping technique is not good...

Regardless, I'd like to hone my own and was wondering on the consenus on whether I should go with the Shapton 'system' (very expensive as I was advised to get the 30,000, and another stone, the Diamond profiler and the 'widget' that keeps the stone steady for honing. It would all come to several hundred dollars.

The other option I was looking into was the Coticule with the Yellow and Blue Stones and calling it a day with those.

Which would you recommend and why? Please keep in mind I don't intend to restore razors, or anything above just honing them to keep them sharp. If it gets to the point where I need to have them re-beveled (because I might screw up the honing) then it'll be done by a pro.

Cheers!

If those are the two choices you are looking at only, then get the Coticule...

As the Shapton 30k doesn't do that much without the system behind it and is crazy expensive...

Now if you want other opinions beside the Shaptons, I have them but you didn't ask... so I only gave an answer based on your question... These two choices are just way apples and oranges

Originally Posted by gssixgun

If those are the two choices you are looking at only, then get the Coticule...

As the Shapton 30k doesn't do that much without the system behind it and is crazy expensive...

Now if you want other opinions beside the Shaptons, I have them but you didn't ask... so I only gave an answer based on your question... These two choices are just way apples and oranges

Don't be mean... give up the goods!

You're right though, I should have opened it up to alternatives and would gratefully receive them!

Cheers

Originally Posted by gssixgun

If those are the two choices you are looking at only, then get the Coticule...

As the Shapton 30k doesn't do that much without the system behind it and is crazy expensive...

Now if you want other opinions beside the Shaptons, I have them but you didn't ask... so I only gave an answer based on your question... These two choices are just way apples and oranges

I'll ask. Suggestions?

Naniwa superstones are pretty good.

If you go the shapton route, good lord you sure don't need all the "extras." Just the stones up to 15K or so will do you more than fine, I reckon.

Was the guy who told you that a Shapton salesman?

If it were me, I would get a norton 4/8 combo and a barber's hone. That keeps you set for life, plus you can sharpen old blades on the Norton.

Coticules are nice but they are, imo, in the 8K range and leave me wanting more keenness which I can never get no matter how much I try, so I use other stones before it if I want to finish on it.

I don't own the Shapton 30K but it's crazy money, only can be used at the end of the shapton system, etc.

If your shave-ready razor was dulled by shaving the coticule is all you need to get her going again. 30K hone is probably too fine for touch-ups so you'll still need a 8-10K hone if you buy a Shapton.

Originally Posted by Disburden

If it were me, I would get a norton 4/8 combo and a barber's hone. That keeps you set for life, plus you can sharpen old blades on the Norton.

Coticules are nice but they are, imo, in the 8K range and leave me wanting more keenness which I can never get no matter how much I try, so I use other stones before it if I want to finish on it.

I don't own the Shapton 30K but it's crazy money, only can be used at the end of the shapton system, etc.

I like your idea..but I've read SOOO much conflicting info about the barbers hones that I'm scared to use one. I have a "keen kutter" that is in perfect shape, given that I've never lapped it. I also have a Naniwa 12k. The norton 4k/8k is my next purchase, but I think it'll have to wait a few months - plus my razor isn't dragging that much yet. I guess my question is - are you using the barber's hone as a finisher? I was thinking of using it BEFORE the 12k, then a few laps on the 12k before hitting balsa, pasted strop, etc.

Originally Posted by Disburden

If it were me, I would get a norton 4/8 combo and a barber's hone. That keeps you set for life, plus you can sharpen old blades on the Norton.

I was going to suggest the same

Norton 4/8 and maybe a Naniwa 12k superstone if you want icing on your cake. Because, after fooling with a lot of razors and hones those are what I've found are the best bang for the buck. Add a coticule for later if you like to play with hones and an Escher if you have HAD and deep pockets ...... not to mention the j-nats.