Thread: Well I finally gave in to the Shapton alure

Hey all,

So I finally pulled the trigger on a nice set of Shapton glass stones from Tom/jendeindustries (Thanks!). I don't have much money to throw around, so had to sell a few of my hones to finance these new babies. The ones I let go (a couple of coticules, a thuringian and my norton) where ones that I won't need anymore and I'm still left with a nice 8x2 coticule, a little y/g escher, a chinese "12k" stone and my Nakayama. Oh, any my DMT D8C and DMT D6EF.

Up to now I've used a hybrid system of honing and not that it didn't work, but I always did want one "system" of hones. I used to use: DMT 1200, Norton 4000, Norton 8000, then coticule/ y/g escher / nakayama to finish.

Well soon I will have the perfect system of doubling grits: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, and 16000. I cannot wait to try them out! I know I won't need the 500 much, but it'll be nice to have in case I need more serious work. The 2000 isn't that necessary either, but it would not be an ellogant system of doubling grits without it!

So I will of course shave straight of the 16k and see how that feels, and then do some laps on the Nakayama to see how that compares. I still like the idea of finishing with a natural stone like a Nakayama, but I want to see how the edge off of the 16k compares. If I prefer the Nakayama edge (which I hope I will since I love it!) I may try to just skip the 16k and go to the Nakayama straight from the 8k, since O_S always states you do not need to go any higher than 8k before the Nakayama, and see how that edge compares.

I can do the same test with my coticule and little escher, but since I've gotten the Nakayama I don't really bother with them much since I know the Nakayama will always win! (Also a reason why I don't regret selling some stones )

I didn't go for the stone holder or the DGLP since I think both aren't totally necessary. I have a well broken in DMT D8C that I will use for lapping, and I bought some nice little rectangular rubber feet (used to put on the bottom of objects to provide grip to a surface) that should stick solidly to the glass bottom and will add another 8mm to the height of the hones. I can easily hone at that additional height with the stone at the edge of my counter.

Anyways, I just thought I would share my new purchase and I've picked up a few more ebay razors to sacrifice to the Shapton gods. I still have my DMT 1200/600 if a razor if being a real pain in the rear to set a bevel. I haven't honed too many razors so far, but I feel satisfied that I have a complete honing system (granted I like the Shaptons which I really have no doubt of) that can tackle any scenario.

Thanks for reading! I wasn't going to share my new purchase, but I feel like sharing tonight.

Happy Honing

Sounds like a great setup. Enjoy.

Congrats, sounds a good system indeed.
I wouldn't skip the 16k but I do think you're Asagi will be helluva lot smoother than finishing on the 16k alone

Congrats Dave, on the new Shapton system and ya kept enough naturals to keep your honing fun too.
Let us know what ya think after applying the new series to your straights.

Thanks,

Mac

Let us know what you think of the Shaptons! I'm currently wavering on the 4/8/16 set and my resolve is reducing all the time..!

Congrats on your purchase. I am anxious to read about your findings as someday I may stop buying razors long enough to get a few Shaptons.

I have found that some razors hone better on one type of stone and others on different hones. Hardness of the blade and of the binder in the hone effect the results as well as the grit material to the metal hardness.

Most hones will sharpen most razors well just some pairing do it better, faster or with less chance of chipping.

Good luck.

I was thinking of investing in some of the shaptons

I hope you enjoy them, Dave. I have a set myself
(1,2,4,8,16,30k, DGLP, Stone Holder) and they do
work great.

- Scott

Nonsense. If you want to go full hog you need the 30K and the lapping hone and the pond. So what if you have to sell yourself into indentured servitude. We all know what's really important.

Let us know how they work out.