Thread: Shapton Water Stone Question

I have a set of these stones I bought several months ago; 1000, 4, 8, and 10 k grits. At the time I bought them there wasn't any 16 k grits available but as of yesterday there are more 16s available at my retailer's site. I've used the Shaptons a few times on my TI and Wacker str8s and they do a very nice job. Before I went with this 16 k addition to my stones I was asking myself if it was worth the couple of hundred extra bucks or does my cloth strop with TI paste do the same job as a 16 k grit? I am really impressed with how my str8s shave coming off these stones and I am sure a lot of that has to do with the final polishing the edge gets off the 10+ k stones.
Suggestions guys please and unfortunately I am not in a position to just buy stuff because it is there..... boy I wish!

TI pâte à rasoir is a diamond / alox blend and I believe its somewhere in the vicinity of 10k in grit. Feel free to check me on that I haven't used it a while.

Welcome to SRP. Since you are satisfied with the edges you're getting from what you have the question is would the added polish of the 16k be worth the couple of hundred ? Naniwa goes to a 12k in the superstone, only 10k in the chosera line. Many guys on this forum are quite pleased with the 12k.

I had the shaptons all the way up to 30k some years back, and TBH I rarely bothered with the 30k after I tried it out on a few blades. It was just gilding the lilly. Add to that some guys find the 16k gives a 'crisp' edge. I'd say it will definitely do something, but whether it is worth two hundred bucks, and whether you'll find the addition an improvement is the question. Some would others wouldn't I guess.

Would you please clarify which line of Shaptons you are talking about?

Thank you everyone for your input; it does help. The stone I am referring to is:
Shapton Glass Sharpening Stone, SHP-50303, 16000 Grit/ 0.92 micron - Ideal for polishing the edge to perfection. Dimensions: 2.75" x 8.25" (210 mm x 70 mm) Made in Japan

I haven't been following the product line in many years, but they didn't have a 10k when the glass stones first came out, nor in the professional line that was the forerunner.

In the Pro line the USA import designated 15k, was exactly the same as the Japanese not for export 12k. I had both. I'm wondering if the 10k isn't a 16 in disguise ?

There is a 10k glass. Shapton 10k

From what I've heard the 10k is better for razors than the 16k. I've only had the 16k and it was meh...

I have a 16K. Shapton Glass & a 1K. Shapton Pro. Love both stones so far. the 16K should be used after a 8 - 12 K stone and only use 6 to 10 laps with as little pressure as you can.
Lapping your hones is very important! A diamond plate about 325 grit or 325 sandpaper on glass or a very flat piece of stone works well. Some razors will shave smother with a couple or rounds on a Coti after the 16K. Just use the weight of the razor, no pressure on either the 16K or the Coti. I use the Coti under running water.

Slawman

Good advise. I have a lapping plate as well. I really try and focus on just using the weight of the blade as I tend to want to press down as I did with knives and axes......maybe if I try shaving with a knife or axe it will always remind me to just use blade weight for str8s!