Thread: Shapton Glass 30k - Is it worth it?

I bought a Shapton Glass 7 30k on sale. It’s the smaller version of the Shapton Glass 30K. I was never going to lay out the big $$$ for the full size version and this one was on sale (about $80 CDN) for 40% off - so why not.

My normal honing progression on a razor for which the bevel is set is 1 layer of black electrical tape on a coticule (full slurry => plain water) followed by finishing strokes on a Vermio. I added 10 laps with only weight of the razor on the Shapton after the Vermio. I did not kill the edge before honing.

Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting, but I really did not notice a difference after adding the Shapton to the progression. It was a BBS 2-pass shave with no nicks or weepers - smooth and comfy like a coticule shave is supposed to be.

It is very unlikely that the Puma I was using already had an unimprovable (new word?) edge.

I don’t regret buying the stone, I just wonder if I maxed out its potential to improve an edge or if I just discovered it won’t damage an already good edge.

Any thoughts?

The Shapton 30k works best using the full Shapton progression on only a very few types of razors

It isn't worth it



That being said

You take a NY Little Valley made Golden Age SR and go full Shapton on that edge it will flat smoke just about any edge you have ever used

Yes Really it will

Yea, I have the 30K and it's the only Shapton I have.

It's never done anything for me.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That being said

You take a NY Little Valley made Golden Age SR and go full Shapton on that edge it will flat smoke just about any edge you have ever used

Yes Really it will

Are you saying there are certain steels on which the Shaptons excel?

Originally Posted by DZEC

Are you saying there are certain steels on which the Shaptons excel?

Yes

But more like the other way around, there are few types of steel that can hold that edge

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The Shapton 30k works best using the full Shapton progression on only a very few types of razors

It isn't worth it



That being said

You take a NY Little Valley made Golden Age SR and go full Shapton on that edge it will flat smoke just about any edge you have ever used

Yes Really it will

Hard, NY made steels.. "If its a pain to hone, its an edge worth the pain"

Im far from some of you when it comes to honing, but wouldnt that be more the grit and not the stone? My Gok20k acts the same way. Still learning what can take it.

The best synthetic edges I've had have come from the 30k
I would recommend it if asked.

Originally Posted by JOB15

The best synthetic edges I've had have come from the 30k
I would recommend it if asked.

OK, now I am really confused.

Is this true only if the 30K comes at the end of a full Shapton progression?

It can get complicated. Aside from using a Shapton suite you need an edge that is already in primo condition of keaness and the right quality of steel that can benefit from it. Of course you need the right way to finesse the hone itself also.