Thread: Shapton Pro Stones VS Shapton Kuromaku

Thanks for actually answering my question that was really helpful... Do you happen to know if there is a difference between the 12k kuromaku and the 15k pro? I've had people tell me they are the same but not use both of them

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

Another thing if you could help me bluesman7.... How do I get the originally posted at the top of my reply so people know who or what I'm replying to?

Click "Reply With Quote"

I think this is the answer to your question if I understood the question.

You can also click "Edit" to reword/clarify your original post but this act must be done fairly quickly. Not sure of the timing Gugi/Bruno have put on edits.

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

Thanks for actually answering my question that was really helpful... Do you happen to know if there is a difference between the 12k kuromaku and the 15k pro? I've had people tell me they are the same but not use both of them

There is a 'reply with quote' option at the bottom of the text box. If you want to multi quote (IOW more than one previous post) you check the box on the older post (lower right corner) and just reply with quote on the latest one.

The Shapton Pro 12k, sold at Japan Tool, is identical to the Shapton 15k. As previously stated, the Pro series is under warranty in the USA, the 12k is supposed to be sold in Japan only, and the warranty is not applicable through Shapton if it is sold in the USA. I imagine, not sure, that Japan Tool would warranty the 12k if it proved defective. That to the original buyer.

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

Thanks for actually answering my question that was really helpful... Do you happen to know if there is a difference between the 12k kuromaku and the 15k pro? I've had people tell me they are the same but not use both of them

They are two different types of stones made with two different types of binders. Under high magnification you can see a difference between the stones. When honing, I couldn't tell a difference between the feel or sound of the two.
When used as finishers, I couldn't tell a difference between the two when test shaving.
This is not that surprising because the difference in grit sizes between the two is only 0.2 microns.

The confusion between these two stones goes back about 10 years. In the beginning there was just the 12k Kuromaku and there was no 15k pro. People in the desert southwest USA, kept having their 12ks crack. So the company reformulated the 12k Kuromaku with a new binder and heat treatment, etc. and the result was a 15k grit hone that would not crack in the desert southwest of the USA. So the users were happy and the company was happy, great. Then the marketing people made a mistake. The new 15k Pro sold by Shapton USA was given the same part number as the original 12k Kuromaku sold by Shapton Japan and the packaging was exactly the same as well. To the casual observer the only difference between the two was that 15k cost more and that led to a conspiracy theory that Shapton was gouging the US market by forcing them to buy a more expensive stone. Reality is that the Shapton Japan 12k and the Shapton USA 15k are two different hones that are very, very similar.

Can all honers let this conspiracy theory die now?

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Can all honers let this conspiracy theory die now?

Have you seen 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'? "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." ............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=363ZAmQEA84

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

@utopian I didn't plan on using the hone because then it would be unreturnable... I could understand your distaste of my intentions you implied but it wasn't the case. In all honesty though, I could see your concern if my purchase was though a mom and pops type store... It wasn't the case it's though a multi billion dollar industry called Amazon... But I guess some people have to look out for the little guys...

Now that is a funny bit of morality.