Thread: Bevel setter upgrade

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Gosh if only somebody really good looking had done a thread all about the different Bevel Setters


Oh wait

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...l-setting.html

Thanks gssixgun, appreciated! Your thread is probably the very first I've read last week when I started researching a replacement for bevel setting. Very grateful for that and the many other threads I've found here!

Going back to my original post, I realize I haven't done a very good/eloquent job in explaining my current conundrum.
My main focus is the Shapton pro 1.5k. From what I've read, this stone seems to be the most outstanding among bevel setters (south of Chosera 1k)
The only comparisons I've found on this stone were against the Chosera 1k, against which it seemed to fare extremely well (Shapton Pro 1.5k | TomoNagura.Com | Keith V. Johnson)
I wanted to see if more people feel the same about this stone.

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

Thanks again. You make some valid points there and I appreciate it.
I agree, the Naniwa 1/3k is perfectly usable for the job (as I mentioned in the OP), but there are also limitations to it that make it less than ideal to use for me.

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.

2. A harder stone. The 1k side is quite soft and I found myself in the situation where I had to relap it while trying to set the bevel on the same razor (a poorly ground Double Arrow). As mentioned, I have only vintage razors that require most work during bevel setting. I don't see the 1k side very suitable for this at all,especially long term or with heavier grind razors.
A harder and more consistent stone will certainly do a better job with less fuss.

3. A bigger stone. The nani 1/3k is aprox. 7x2 inches and I will definitely appreciate more real estate (8x2.75).

"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

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 like my Shapton Pro 1K also. Faster than my King for sure. I am looking to go to a 2 K Shapton Pro then a 5 K & 10 K. I have a 16K Glass that I love plus a Coticule. Some razors I will do the 16K then go 6 or 8 laps on the Coti under running water. Don't have to go to the Coti in all cases but some razors it just smooths the shave a little.

Slawman

Chosera and Naniwa 1k are fantastic bevel setters. So is the Shapton, I hear. I can’t believe that someone hasn’t mentioned diamond plates yet. A DMT1200 is a fast and fantastic bevel setter that never requires lapping or soaking.

A DMT1200, 4K, 8k, finisher progression is fast and will get the job done quite wel.