Thread: Shapton Ceramic on glass hones

Has anyone used the Shapton ceramic on glass hones? They seem like they would be super flat and pretty durable. These hones are available from 220 to 30,000 grit and are fairly affordable.

http://shaptonstones.com/index.php?m...&cPath=164_166

No, but I'm thinking of getting the 16K. Do a search on Shaptons - I think I recall mparker saying he uses the Shapton Pro series, but that if he had known about the glass series he would have gotten them (or something - sorry if I'm putting words into your mouth mparker...).

I think he also said you need to have a very light touch as the Shaptons are fast and hard - the razor can get a suction happening on the hone, the pressure of which can hurt the edge if not careful. I think this was with regard to the Pro series, but may equally be true of the Glass series.

James.

Good call, I found the previous discussion available and will link it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...hlight=shapton

And there's also this one.

James.

I ended up getting one right after Ucliker and I were talking back then... have been using it on every razor since then, but as a control factor, I did not go back, and refresh every razor with it... that way I could see if there is a difference between an 8k and paste finished razor, and a 16k and paste finished razor... To be honest.... yes the Shapton does put a slightly smoother feel on the razors.... Would I recommend it????? probably not... unless you are to the point in your honing skills that you feel totally comfortable, that you can produce a shaving sharp edge without a hiccup.... Because the Shapton requires a very soft touch to get anything out of them....
JMHO here ,,,,,

FYI the Shapton is rated at .92 microns...

I'm very comfortable sharpening all manner of tools and haven't had any trouble taking razors through a progression from "butter-knife" sharp (found at my local antique store) all the way up to passing HHT in two nights. Basic honing is more or less second nature to me, but I do use a barber's hone for current final polishing. I assume from everything I feel that these are very slow stones, though they do seem to put a pretty good edge on a blade. I am looking at the shapton's as a quick way to do 1) bevel setting on restored blades 2) move into final honing on the same blades. I've found that I can get some very sweet razors for $5-10 at antique stores, though you do have to be prepared to work on them. What I would have to ask, with my current finishing stone in mind, is how much faster than a barber's hone are these stones? I assume it isn't going to be a super quick process to find out how fast these cut, but I would appreciate the feedback on these hones compared to the barber's.