Thread: Those Boring Ole Shapton GS hones

I totally agree that when it comes to reliability and consistency the Shapton GS are as good as it gets. I have done several thousand razors on these stones and the bottom line is that they work. I also like the HC stones in the 4K and 8K and they work their way into a rotation without problem. I have never had the success from other Shapton stones that I get with the GS.

I think the biggest problem in doing the heavy Sheffield's on them is that most of the Sheffield's around today have significant and uneven hone wear that may not match up on both sides of the spines and edges of a given razor. The Shapton GS are to me, the hardest of the synthetics I use and I find that the unevenly flattened spines tend to catch or skip some on these stones.

The current processes on these stones is very learnable and repeatable for new guys and if you do decide to hone more than a few razors, you will not figit with these nearly as much as some of the naturals or other stones out there.

Keep in mind that there is a lot of personal preference, mindset and people loyalty associated with sharpening stones and honing. What is available to us both in media and technique or process has grown a lot.

Norton is still a very consistent hone particularly in the 4K/8K and if you like abrasive for setting bevels and repair 220 and 1K too. Naniwa Supers are very comparable to me from a result standpoint with both Shapton and Norton although they have a softer feel and seem to be less abrasive to the spines and yet have great cutting power. All have a different feel and feedback to them. There are some great natural stones out there and again to me and keep in mind that I use them daily are can do stones and usually do not have the same amount of consistency. But, if you are just a hobbyist and have the time to play with just a few razors, they are a ton of fun.

The one thing that we really don't talk about much is comparing the Naturals to the synthetics purely from a refreshing standpoint, but I know someone will start a thread on this. I think this is where the naturals can shine although the synthetics also are excellent. As Jimmy often says, once you learn how to get a shavable edge off an 8K, you are well on the way to really learning this art.

Bottom line is that a set of Shapton GS stones will last a lifetime for most people and you really will never NEED other stones.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The glass stones were relative newcomers on the scene when I first got into honing. I went with the Shapton Professionals. I like them but find myself using the naniwa super stones more often than not. Whenever I read a thread like this I want the glass stones too. I'm going to make do with what I've got though. Thanks for the progression Glen.

JimmyHAD, HAD, and no glass stones yet? I'm shocked beyond words. Fortunately I can still type.

Hey - those first 3 razors were mine!

I've now shaved with all 3. So let this user comment...

That Renaissance now shaves exactly the way it should have in the first place! There's no way it could be sharper!! 500% better!

My LeGrelot is the same! I am so impressed I'm almost in tears! So smooth and so sharp!

Now lets talk about the Solingen Bohlerstahl... it's even better than the above! Is this what all the fuss is about on using older razors?
It feels like my Dubl Duck Satinedge only definitely smoother, and definitely better than my Dwarf.
It was my last razor to try, and today was it's day. I'm waiting for tomorrow to confirm just how good it is!
It is also a "singing" razor... Wow!

In a few days, couple stablemates of the Bohlerstahl will be on the way to Glen for the same treatment.

Just a comment here... I'm so impressed with the Bohlerstahl that I'm still trying to figure out why (?) with this razor. How can it be so much better (I keep asking myself) 'Course, I'm thinking Glen knows...

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

I have them in a range of 2000, 4000, 8000, and 16,000. I finish on cr/ox also and set bevels, remove chips with a DMT 325. Smooth and sharp.

But, as I settle in with the razors I really like it seems that the lower grit hones may not see much use as all my razors need is touch-up, and I can do that with any number of finish hones. So as I (perhaps) near the end of my razor acqusition days I may no longer have need of the Shapton's, even as good as they are.

I am in the same boat, John. That is why my 4, 8, and 16k are now with Ben. I am just keeping an escher, coticule and Swaty in my bathroom drawer for touching up. If I do buy any more new razors needing honing, I am just going to send them out.

Originally Posted by GardenWeasel

Just a comment here... I'm so impressed with the Bohlerstahl that I'm still trying to figure out why (?) with this razor. How can it be so much better (I keep asking myself) 'Course, I'm thinking Glen knows...

Actually I have an answer, but it is just a WAG..

Ookla has 3 of them, from a set very similar to yours..
Gugi has a Frank Hess X
I have a Kinfolks
I have seen a few Bokers that have done it
A DD or two
Englishgent has a W&B that does it


Although I would love to take all the credit for some of these edges being so freaky sharp and also very smooth, sooner or later the razor has to do it's part too... Some times the combination of Hone, Razor, and Honer come together just right and one of those edges happens that just works perfect on your face...

Ones that just make you stare at the edge after the first stroke and go WHOA !!!!
If yours is one of those,,, keep it
BTW it doesn't mean it will feel that way to everybody either, it might also have to do with your face....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Although I would love to take all the credit for some of these edges being so freaky sharp and also very smooth, sooner or later the razor has to do it's part too... Some times the combination of Hone, Razor, and Honer come together just right and one of those edges happens that just works perfect on your face...

Ones that just make you stare at the edge after the first stroke and go WHOA !!!!
If yours is one of those,,, keep it BTW it doesn't mean it will feel that way to everybody either, it might also have to do with your face....

I know exactly what you mean. There are occasional razors that feel like a feather (not the blade company but the thing off the bird) is just being lightly drawn across my face, but it takes every bit of whisker along with it. I've had a few razors do that, and it took me a while to figure out that no matter how hard I tried to alter/improve my honing, I could never get every blade to do that.

+1, the Shaptons are great stones!

I have the 1/4/8/16k stones and they work great! I just come off the Shaptons right onto my Maruichi and then strop on webbed fabric and leather. This gives wonderfully sharp but smooth edges.

Dovo Astral: previously honed by the owner but wanted a comparison..

Grateful recipient of the sixgunner's work.

Use a norton 1k/4k, dmt 8k, c12k, canvas/latigo. In a beginner's post, got input that the dmt might be too rough & they suggested replacing w/ either waterstone 8k or shapton. In searching the shapton threads, there's reports of them not playing well w/ other stones. Any recommendations on whether to try the shapton 8k in this stone setup or would your suggest a Norton or Nani?

The Dovo came back dramatically sharper than anything I've obtained w/ the above. My fledgling shaving skills are likely the major flaw (5wks). It shaved better than any of my edges, but didn't seem much smoother (again, I suspect my skill level).

'am looking to replace the dmt 8k - shapton or nani seems to be the remaining question.
Thx for your thoughts. 'Sure helps the noob shed some ignorance.

With the progression you have I would add the Naniwa 8k myself...
You could go Norton but for about the same money, the Naniwa 3/8 or 8 I think has better feedback... JHMO any of those will work though...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Only weakness I see with them, is if I owned mostly all old heavy bladed Sheffielders, I would go a different route... Not that the Shaptons can't sharpen the "Old Wedges" it is more that the oldies can't handle the sharp.. JMHO on that part...

I find that to be case, too, Glen - annoying, isn't it?! I have given up the use of the 30k on all old sheffields - the edges just can't take it with blades beyond a certain age. I suppose the steel was too soft back then. More modern sheffields are a bit of a mixed bunch - some take it, some don't - must be the variations in steel or tolerances in the tempering process.

Old sheffields and natural stones just seem to go together ... naturally

Regards,
Neil