Thread: Bevel setter upgrade

If you're trying to get away from soaking your options are Naniwa Traditional/SS/Chosera or Shapton GS/Pro(Kuromaku). Harder stone? I'd probably lean toward Shaptons. I have a Naniwa SS 800 somewhere and he's pretty soft, I can't imagine the 1K is any different. It doesn't dish bad enough I'd need to lap in teh middle of a bevel set, but between razors it can become a necessity.

Originally Posted by CamMorris

"1. I want a stone that doesn't require soaking. The nani 1/3k is quite thirsty and will absorb lots of water even after a 15-20 min soak. As I currently use lapping film above the 3k range, I'd vastly prefer a splash and go stone."
I use the Shapton Karumaku 1000#, It is a "splash and go" stone cuts reasonably fast, IMHO, and wont break your bank account.
Stay Sharp

My Karumaku 1000 does take quite a bit of water before it stops absorbing, the 2000 does not. I only use the 1000 to remove chips or help return a smile to a poorly honed blade otherwise the 2000 sets the bevel fast enough.

If you keep your current nani 1/3k surface of the stone refreshed it should do a fine job at setting a bevel. I have Hart steel and PRC razors which are pretty darn hard and I once thought the Nani ss 1k couldn't do the job but I later found out all I had to do was re fresh the surface with five or so figure eights and the stone is cutting again!

On the other hand. I currently own the Chosera 1k, the Shapton pro 1k, Shapton pro 2k and Shapton Glass 1k all splash and go.

If I had to pick one that isn't the Chosera 1k for budget sake I would say go with the Shapton 2k (or 1.5k? which I have not tried but hear it is similar in feel and power to the 2k Shapton pro), also it is very very similar to the Chosera in that I have found it cuts as fast, as long, easy to lap or refresh and the scratches are shallow like the Chosera 1k.

My second choice would be the Shapton Glass 1k, fast cutter but the only negative I found is the cutting surface needs to be refreshed often.

Third would be the Shapton 1k, it does cut fast though I find it's surface doesn't cut for long needs constant refreshing and the feel is not to my liking. It will work though, even better if you build a slurry.

Here's how the prices break down for decent stones. At $80 for the Chosera 1k, we need to be appreciably lower if you cannot justify that price point.

Shapton Kuromaku 2k with Amazon Prime, about $36. This is IMO the best bang for the buck, and the 2k Pro (same stone different branding) is my go-to stone for normal bevel work. The binder I believe, changes with the 1.5k which also gets excellent reviews. I suspect that the 1k and coarser Kuromaku/Pro Shaptons have a binder very similar to the Chosera 1k, I know that the 320 Pro does.

Naniwa Super Stone, about $47. Good stone, it's a resin binder that a little softer than the Shaptons mentioned, but performs well. I think Lynn recommends them too.

Shapton Glass HR 2k, $70. This stone will likely be faster than the Chosera 1k and has the merit of being finer. I've removed small chips and defects with the Shapton HR 4k with no problems, and larger dings with the 1k. But the 3k and 4k are about the same price as the Chosera 1k. I'd take the Shaptons over the Chosera. The 1k glass is about $63.

And then of course is the venerable King 1k, probably the cheapest stone that works well, but a soaker and requires frequent flattening. If you don't mind that, no reason not to go this route.

Good luck with the hunt!

Cheers, Steve

I am, like you, a hobbyist. Most hobby guys don't hone for other people. They have their collections of razors and other accoutrements that comprise their kit. A Chosera 1k for bevel setting is the pro's choice. For us, a 1k superstone will do the job just as well, and if your razor collection goes to say 20, then that's how many bevels that will ever need setting. You will never in your life time go through a 1k bevel setter even if it's a 10mm specialty (superstone). So, save the money and don't buy a designated bevel setter, it's the least used stone in your kit. If you are going through one as a hobbyist you are doing plenty wrong. That leads us to the needs/wants perspective. No I don't need a Chosera 1k, but I want one. No I don't need a Kanayama strop but I want one. Our hobby is what we make of it. If you are hurting for money, your razors won't know what stone you used to set the bevel with.
Wait, I hear some other sage advice,,,,the most important stage in honing a razor is the bevel set. True, but as I said your razor will never know how you got there.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here is the thing

If you read that old thread you will see the direction of the conversation

You have the tools you need already, the only thing that is going to change is "Speed" most people do not need more speed, in fact often it is a bad thing

The Naniwa Traditional is now an option also and the price is quite good, I haven't tried it personally but Lynn gives it high praise...

So you might take a look at it too

You do have to realize that people like Lynn and myself that hone razors 5 days a week have certain parameters that we are looking at

Speed
Consistency
Shallow even Striations

Cost is not a factor within reason

Many times people ask me what I use everyday and I point blank say "I would not recommend it unless you are already honing professionally" Most ignore that and buy it anyway


To answer directly however I like the Shapton GS series but have not been a huge fan of the Shapton Pros for SR's YMMV

Speed you will get with the Pro. No question.
Shallow striations ? Fuggedabowdit. These stones are way to aggressive for that.

Save your pennies & get the Chocera 1k but in the meantime if you can accept the limitations the Pro will work.

I used the Pros for years but never sent a razor out without finishing on Jnats to smooth up the edges.

Oh for the love of God not this again....The thread....just read THE THREAD!)) rolf

I always recommend Chosera 1k for Bevel setting. I have found a few razors that would not set a bevel Norton and shapton on glass. Not so for the Chosera

Thanks for all the replies and help guys.
As I cannot afford the Chosera/Pro 1k, I went with the Shapton Korumaku 1.5k.
Also have some vintage Sheffield wedges coming next week. Looking forward to putting the Shapton through it's paces.
Thanks

I hope some of you guys are willing to try soft, mid fineness arkansas stones at some point. They leave the synthetics in the dust in terms of overall honing speed (and they're cheap), leaving you closer to a finished edge.

At any rate, the OP will be happy with the 1.5 shapton, and if not, "check the Indian, because it's not the arrow!"

I'll never set with synthetics again, though, with the exception of using a fine diamond hone to set kamisori - i don't like setting them on resin type stones *or* naturals, though they do set on a slurried arkansas stone despite being generally harder than the particles in the stone.

a kamisori regimen from a fresh regrind goes something like:
* diamond bevel set (sparingly used, 1-2 minutes)
* settled in washita (about 2 minutes, maybe less)
* barber hone starting with minimal liquid (cuts faster, and the kamisori - the soft metal part above the bevel at least - pulls particles from the stone to keep it fresh) and then to clearer water - 5 minutes at the most, probably more like 3?