Thread: Is the 16K Shapton hone worth the money over the 15K from the Pro line??

Very few people would have both the 15K Pro and the 16K GS. Most opt for the GS as that seems to be a rock solid system and the glass makes it very unlikely that you will break a hone when it gets thinner, something the Pro stones cannot say. As for the difference in grit, I don't think it would matter in the slightest. Go with whatever you like.... Unless you are honing for dollars (in which case a hone is expendable and your business is paying for it), either hone should last you your lifetime with ease.

I switched to Naniwa SS hones when I sold my Shapton GS set... and I found the 12k SS to be quite similar to my old 16K in performance, but the Naniwa SS hones are softer, and to me, nicer. That said, I was awfully happy that Danny, who purchased my GS set, lent me the old 16K hone for an indeterminate time, so now I have both. I have to admit, once in a while, I'll use the GS over the SS, mostly for feel I suppose. The GS hones are hard in comparison to the SS hones.

While the GS is a great finisher, I still go back to one of my Jnats or my Coti, just because while I like crisp edges, I don't mind a bit of softness.... And then there is this one razor... it just will not get as sharp as I like on my Jnat.... but 20 laps on the 16K Shapton snaps it to attention. 5 or 6 laps on hard woven wool with crox to remove any wire edging, then 10 super light laps on my Jnat and that razor shaves as good as any of the others.

I've been tempted to try a GOK 20K, but I'm pretty darn happy with what I have.... Now, as for you, as I said above, I think either hone is fine. If you can save some serious coin by going Pro, do that. If you have dreams of the Shapton GS holder... it's sweet, I use it for ALL my hones and I was happy to see that the Naniwa SS hones fit perfectly. The Naniwa Prof. hones are a tad short. I have no idea if the Shapton Pro hones would fit that holder, so if you are planning on getting one some day..... maybe check that out first.

I wouldn't buy the Shapton Glass diamond plate... it's just way too much money... I used to use DMT plates which were plenty good enough, but then I purchased a pair of Atoma plates and I prefer them.

So pick whichever you like.... you'll be happy with either.

Regards

Christian