Thread: Shapton M5

Hi,

Got one of these: http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ify-stone.html

I was lookin for a single-grit stone, but this one seems to be two-faced. The lighter face (one of them is light yellow, the other one cream-to-white) says "do not use for sharpening", but you can see at the side that this side (the cream one) is thicker than the yellow one.

Unfortunately all instructions are in chinese characters, and I just can't understand them. Any particular precaution? Which is the 12k side?

TIA.

Martin

the yellow side is the hone side the other side is just a backing material to give strenght to the stone and give a base for the cutting material to be applied to during manufacture. the white side is of little value for honing in comparison to the yellow side

Many thanks!

WOW! I have kind of a mixed and contradictory feeling. In the first place the backing material is noticeable thicker than the useful one. But, at the same time, it is goint to take years until I have to replace it.

I have Nortons 100074000 and 4000/8000, and was looking for something slightly finer. This one showed up and picked it, but was actually looking for something in the 15000/16000 range.

Do I have to soak this stone prior to honing or just spraying some water on the top surface is enough?

Rgds.

Martin

not really a splash and go some soaking helps

I have one of these in the mail, & it'll be here Wednesday, and Thursday I will be honing the chip out of my Tufpug razor on my day off. I plan on doing the "one stone" method for a while to save money... rather than buying a whole suite of hones right out the gate.

The recommendation is to soak it 5 to 10 minutes, and no more than 15. The thread you linked has some of the most discussion I've seen on this forum, regarding this particular stone. If you are only honing razors on this stone, and not at a rate of the guys that hone regularly/for money/for a lot of other people, I doubt this stone will disappear quickly on you.

Caveat: I'm not yet experienced in honing, so please take my advice on this with a huge grain of salt. That being said, I bet this stone will last us both a while.

Thanks to both for the chinese (or whatever else the original instructions are in) quick translation.

Rgds.

Martin

Originally Posted by culhanetyl

not really a splash and go some soaking helps

Originally Posted by Crawler

The recommendation is to soak it 5 to 10 minutes, and no more than 15. The thread you linked has some of the most discussion I've seen on this forum, regarding this particular stone. If you are only honing razors on this stone, and not at a rate of the guys that hone regularly/for money/for a lot of other people, I doubt this stone will disappear quickly on you.

Caveat: I'm not yet experienced in honing, so please take my advice on this with a huge grain of salt. That being said, I bet this stone will last us both a while.