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

I cannot agree with you that Arkansas stones are as good as Shaptons. Yes, there are a FEW that can give a good edge, but those are few and far in between. Arks are good for knives, but i will never recommend one for razors.

Very well said sir.

Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

I cannot agree with you that Arkansas stones are as good as Shaptons. Yes, there are a FEW that can give a good edge, but those are few and far in between. Arks are good for knives, but i will never recommend one for razors.

No problem. We can agree to disagree. I have a translucent that will remove Shapton 16K scratches. Sharper? No, about the same. Smoother? Definitely.

I have a well-worn surgical black that gets an edge just as sharp as the SG 16K, Same scratch pattern. Will not overhone (short of several hundred laps) and will not microchip the edge like the SG can.

In a hurry, a SG 16K will provide a very good synthetic edge. No doubt about it. I'm not usually in that big of a hurry any more. Properly lapped and burnished Arkies are very good hones for razors.

My Shuns don't need to go much over 4K and usually peak out at 1K. I use the synthetics on the knives more than I do the naturals.

I think kelbro is on the money here: the Shapton 16k is a great hone but it's fast and you've got to take care not to destroy the edge. An Arkansas won't do that but it takes quite a few strokes to get the result. That said, when you get a great Shapton edge it's really something; I worked an old Rodgers wedge today on the 16k GS (and I mean old - this one is 1850s at the latest) the hht is fantastic but only the shave tomorrow will tell.

Originally Posted by kelbro

No problem. We can agree to disagree. I have a translucent that will remove Shapton 16K scratches. Sharper? No, about the same. Smoother? Definitely.

I have a well-worn surgical black that gets an edge just as sharp as the SG 16K, Same scratch pattern. Will not overhone (short of several hundred laps) and will not microchip the edge like the SG can.

In a hurry, a SG 16K will provide a very good synthetic edge. No doubt about it. I'm not usually in that big of a hurry any more. Properly lapped and burnished Arkies are very good hones for razors.

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 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 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.