Thread: Shapton Pro vs Glass?

I have never used a Shapton hone of either kind but I saw RandyDance use ChrisL's Shapton Glass Stones for the first time at the MN meet up last year. It is obvious that they are fast cutters. Anyway, because of the discount being offered by Jende Industries, I am considering widening my hone options with a set or two of Shaptons. Now, I have a bit of an aversion to the Glass Stones because they are so thin. On the other hand, I believe they are considered by many to be great hones and I have read many praising comments about them.

I am wondering, how do they compare to the Shapton Professional series?

I don't know of anyone who has used both lines but I would welcome any comments about either line. I would especially appreciate comments from anyone who can comment on both lines. If it matters, despite all of my other toys, I'm interested in either line up to the 30k hone.

Sorry, Ron, I can't comment on the pro series, but I have no problem with the thin glass stones since I secure them in one of the inexpensive yet very effective and adjustable stone holders which I bought from Woodcraft. You'd either have to hold the glass stone in your hand or use a holder of some kind; there's not enough clearance for me to hone by placing the glass stone flat on my honing table.

Chris L

I have the Glass Stones in 1k, 3k, and 16k. As far as wear is conserned... not an issue if useing for straights... I use mine mostly for my AS kitchen knives, almost 2 years now, with very little wear.

Fast cutting and fast gunking up so they needs rinsed off now and again...

well so far I have a 4K glass ( I really really really really like it)

I just sold (tonight) my DMTs to finance more stones while this sale is on

I hope Tom doesn't mind, but I'm posting our conversation including his reply about mixing stones.
this isn't our entire conversation, but he is very nice and offers any info he has in regards to questions

I agree that the glass is a cutting machine, and was looking for better feedback in a lower stone so I'm getting
a 2k pro>4kglass>8k glass
I also feel that the value decreases with the pros as you go up in grit (highlighted due to being extra on topic)
who is going to wear out a 16k stone?
but a 1-2k I want a thick stone

anyway..... here's Tom

I have much more experience with the pro stones, so I know I like them better, in general. However, I am happy to use the glass, too. It's really like coke or pepsi.

Basically the differences are this: Pros offer much better feedback to the tool/knife/blade being sharpened, so I know when a stone is working well or not, and when to stop. The Glass are cutting machines, which just keep on cutting, offering almost no feedback in regards to knowing how you are progressing (they were designed for Rockwell 63 blades, so they are supposed to cut). The pro stones are harder than the glass, so the pros will stay flat longer than the glass stones. Other than that, they both offer superior edges, and you can freely jump from one series to the other. The first pass over the stone when jumping will feel "interesting", but after that, it will be just fine with no harm to tool/knife/blade or stone. Your progression of 1k, 2k pro, to 4k, 8k glass is just fine.

Personally, I'm really liking the feel of the 2k Pro stone on my razors lately. Off the record, if I had to choose what I though was best as far as mixing the series for carbon steel razor blades, I would go for the Pro 320 (optional), Glass 1k, Pro 2k, Glass 4K, Pro 8K, Pro 15K and whichever I could afford for the 30K (which means the glass for most). Kind of weird, I know, but the 320 is a great stone for repairs. The 1k glass for working quicker than the pro for establishing a bevel, the 2K pro for a flat surfaced stone that takes out the imperfections left by the 1k, the 4k glass for moving along quickly, (the 5K pro is kind of dense compared to the 4K glass) the 8k and 15k pros are relatively softer stones, and produce really nice edges, IMO. However, since budget comes into play at the 8K+ levels, either series really does a fine job.

I hope this hasn't made things worse again! The best solution is to buy all the stones in both series, and mix and match to taste!

Anyway, if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

of course with that pile of Belgians you have price may be no object

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

of course with that pile of Belgians you have price may be no object

Keep in mind that the only one I paid anything close to "market price" was the 3x10 hone, and even that one was severely discounted due to a supposed flaw. The rest of them were great deals. I just can yet bring myself to sell any of them. I know I should, but so far, I just can't!

I suppose for anyone offering advice, I should declare that I already have a full set of Nortons and Naniwa Superstones, so I am considering Shaptons as just another arrow in the quiver, or maybe an additional quiver.

If this confuses anyone, just ask Jimmy!

confused?

not me

I'm never confused.

what was the question?

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

what was the question?

I don't know, but the answer is 42.

where they hell did that 42 crap come from anyway?
I used to play a mud and if you typed 42 in any command sequence your character would scream " 42 !?!?!"

and I've heard that other places (references to 42)

what gives?