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

First I don't know honing, don't really even want to. If I Enjoyed it, it's only a few minutes every few months, cause my blades tend to go months before needing anything other than leather. But this much I Know, some of the higher grit stones can give great shaves and some can be brutal. So my conclusion is some razors can't take the edge that far without becoming brittle.

Now I Know the pros here can deal with it, but it still seems that most of us really don't go beyond the 12k range because they go back to a natural (which 90% of the time is not even
12k) . Personally I've had edges come off of every kind of stone, and the Nani 12k done right will shave as smooth as any Jnat or coticule, Shapton, and so forth. It really is in the hands of the man using it. I understand personal reference, but I also know pride because you bought it and think it's the best, but some of the best edges I've shaved with came from much lower grit stones and good stropping.

I have a SG 20 and it doesn't get used much, most of the time the Nani 12k is all thats needed. The Shapton is pricey, but not overly, but is it that much better than a Nani 12k?


That's my take on it , you can agree or disagree, but no one has at this time showed me an edge better than a properly honed blade from a 12k Naniwa. And I have had edges from some of the best, as a matter of a fact some of the surprise edges were all Nanwa 12k,s.
Maybe i,m wrong, but someone is going to have to show me. Tc

I was/am kicking around the idea of getting a Shapton 16K but hesitate a bit wondering if all my razors can take the edge the hone can put on them without falling apart. I have also had pro honed edges that were just too sharp, not done on a Shapton 16K, for my liking as in harsh uncomfortable shave. So far that has saved me the expense of another hone past the 12K Naniwa and hanging crox pasted strop I use. In any event the Shapton 16K is not overly expensive, relatively speaking, so I may find out for myself, eventually.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I was/am kicking around the idea of getting a Shapton 16K but hesitate a bit wondering if all my razors can take the edge the hone can put on them without falling apart. I have also had pro honed edges that were just too sharp, not done on a Shapton 16K, for my liking as in harsh uncomfortable shave. So far that has saved me the expense of another hone past the 12K Naniwa and hanging crox pasted strop I use. In any event the Shapton 16K is not overly expensive, relatively speaking, so I may find out for myself, eventually.

Bob

Bob, I haven't found a razor that couldn't handle the 16K Shapton Glass. The problem seems to occur with too many laps. Sometimes you need 6 laps, sometimes it's 10 laps. The challenge is in finding the pinnacle for each piece of steel. Just right produces fantastic edges. Two laps too many can cause microchipping and a 'harsher' shave. I typically do 6 laps and then look at the edge under the loupe. Most often, that has been plenty.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

First I don't know honing, don't really even want to. If I Enjoyed it, it's only a few minutes every few months, cause my blades tend to go months before needing anything other than leather. But this much I Know, some of the higher grit stones can give great shaves and some can be brutal. So my conclusion is some razors can't take the edge that far without becoming brittle.

Now I Know the pros here can deal with it, but it still seems that most of us really don't go beyond the 12k range because they go back to a natural (which 90% of the time is not even
12k) . Personally I've had edges come off of every kind of stone, and the Nani 12k done right will shave as smooth as any Jnat or coticule, Shapton, and so forth. It really is in the hands of the man using it. I understand personal reference, but I also know pride because you bought it and think it's the best, but some of the best edges I've shaved with came from much lower grit stones and good stropping.

I have a SG 20 and it doesn't get used much, most of the time the Nani 12k is all thats needed. The Shapton is pricey, but not overly, but is it that much better than a Nani 12k?


That's my take on it , you can agree or disagree, but no one has at this time showed me an edge better than a properly honed blade from a 12k Naniwa. And I have had edges from some of the best, as a matter of a fact some of the surprise edges were all Nanwa 12k,s.
Maybe i,m wrong, but someone is going to have to show me. Tc

Good Sunday morning TC, my fellow Tennessean,

I would like to take you up on that challenge to make a better edge for you than a Naniwa 12k. Maybe I'll fail, but I'm fairly confident I can do better and that you will agree sir! If you're game we can work out the details.

Mods, I do not believe accepting this challenge violates the TOU on honing, but if you feel it does please feel free to pull the post and accept my apologoes.

Should be fun!

Heers, Steve

I don't believe it breaks any rules, I,m up for it, that's why I've had so many hone for me over the years, now I only use 2 guys. , so battle on! Pm following.

Bob, if you want to my friend, would you like to try a SG 20? I can have it to you in a week, or however long it takes to cross the border, Open offer to you. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I don't believe it breaks any rules, I,m up for it, that's why I've had so many hone for me over the years, now I only use 2 guys. , so battle on! Pm following.

Bob, if you want to my friend, would you like to try a SG 20? I can have it to you in a week, or however long it takes to cross the border, Open offer to you. Tc

I'd like to challenge that as well. The 12k is nice, but a top tier jnat is soooo much smoother.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Bob, if you want to my friend, would you like to try a SG 20? I can have it to you in a week, or however long it takes to cross the border, Open offer to you. Tc

That is a very generous offer and if I lived close enough for a personal handoff I'd gladly take you up on the offer. I am just not comfortable with they way cross border traffic can go wrong sometimes, especially with a valuable and fragile loaner like that. Many thanks though.

Bob

I have spent the last couple of years learning the stones I have at this time. I have bought only vintage razors usually in bad need of honing & many need bevel setting. I use a King 1K to set my bevels with & have had very good luck with that hone. Until I can see that a different 1K is better than my King I will stay with it.
I am hoping I really like the 16K Shapton & if I do I may get some of the lower grit hones from them. As far as a finisher I love my little $3.00 Coti but I want a crisper edge & from what I can find a 16K Shapton is the way I want to go. I think the Shapton stones might be better for stainless blades. Don't have any yet but you never know!LOL
Thanks for all your thought's on this subject. You all are the best!

Dave"Slawman"Huffman

Well looks like I am going with the 15K Pro Shapton. I will let you all know how I like it.

Slawman

Originally Posted by Slawman

Well looks like I am going with the 15K Pro Shapton. I willlet you all know how I like it.

Slawman

I really like mine, hope you like yours as much. I have zero issues or regrets. What stone holder and lapping plate did you go with, or do you already have one? So here's my dilemma, now I want to hone all the time to better my skill. I've bought a few extra razors for that purpose but they all shave great and now I don't want to trash the edge and start over. Straight razor problems I guess, such is life searching for the edge.

Steve