Thread: Glass stones vs Shapton pros?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Just want to point out that the 12k is identical to the USA imported stone known as the 15k. I've had both and the only difference is the printing on the boxes and stones. The edge off a 15k could be kind of harsh, so maybe that is what you mean Oz ?

That's it Jimmy. Plenty sharp & close shaving but not ideal for say, someone with sensitive skin.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

That's it Jimmy. Plenty sharp & close shaving but not ideal for say, someone with sensitive skin.

How can it be like that? is it because its not "polishing"?

Is the ss12k more suited as a finisher than a 10k glass you guys think?

Originally Posted by jigane

How can it be like that? is it because its not "polishing"?

Hard to say. The bevel will certainly be shiny so is polish an issue ? I think it's a matter of degrees, if that makes sense?

Jigane, you can read a lot and get lots of opinions, but if you want to hone razors get opinions from those that hone razors, they are the only ones that count. And as you see, everyone has preferences.

I read the knife forums, and they are interesting, but they don’t shave with knives, they just compare edges based on how they look and or slice tomatoes.

Perfect stones, and perfect progression, don’t exist… I and many of us have and still are looking…

Buy any recommended progression, and hone. Unless you are production honing, (a lot) the progression does not matter. All 1ks produce 1k stria and edge, some are faster, some softer, some need more water, some none. And to the shave it does not matter how a razor feels on a stone.

How you hone, technique, proper progression and a quality finisher are all that matters. Some razors seem to prefer some finishers, on some faces…

Read all you can then, Just do it… it’s not the stone…

Originally Posted by onimaru55

The 320 Pro is a far more aggressive cutter than the 220 GS & great for restores. One step away from a DMT I'd call it, without the deep scratches of diamonds.

320 pro ordered, thank you for that comparison.

As for OP, I have lots naturals, and those can't be beat- but I also would never retire my 3k or 6k Shapton GS- of all the GS, those are my favorites. The 3k cuts like some good kiita. Best synthetic lower grit stones IMO. The chosera 1k? We have a love hate relationship. It's a messy insidious stone. S GS are very clean and consistent and just feel great on the blade. the 6k can mirro polish- not that this equates to edge refinement. Separate stones sound best. Get the best you can for your razor- anything that doesn't make the cut- it's not a complete loss- toss it at the knives. No compromises.

Right now I'm thinking the SS12k is my best bet. Availability is good, its fairly cheap and many people like it. And since so many people have it must be good enough.

The SS12K is a great stone in part because of its price vs performance value. You can pay more for a stone in that grit range without getting much more performance. I sharpen for a living, 90% on stones, the super stones from Naniwa give great (profitable) performance for their price.

Originally Posted by jnats

320 pro ordered, thank you for that comparison.

Hah, me too! Oz needs a kickback from Shapton.

As far as the two go, the HR GS releases grit a bit better because of its softer matrix, and the Pro harder and stays flat longer.

I have two (3rd on the way Oz) Pros and one Glass; 320 Pro on the way, 500 Glass, 2k Pro and 5k Pro. The 500 GS is used for significant course correction and I planned to use it for beating Gold Dollar test razors into submission, but that may now be the SPro 320.

North of 2-5k is JNat country.

Cheers, Steve

The 320 pro and 1,5k pro is specifically made for carbon steel only, according to shapton, just so you know.