Glen, I already want some Shaptons. I thought you knew that? Thanks a lot :p
(I was doing so well, too)
Printable View
Glen, I already want some Shaptons. I thought you knew that? Thanks a lot :p
(I was doing so well, too)
Shave off the 1k, eh? I'm gonna try next time I'm around some Shaptons. I haven't had any success shaving off a 1k thus far - at least not comfortably.
The Shaptons are the one set that I have resisted...so far. They are definitely on my wish list, after I find a new job.
I do agree with you on the consistency & quality of Shapton honed edges, Glen. They feel like cheating, if like me, you learned to hone on a BBW/Coti. I rate mine highly.
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.
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. :banghead: I'm going to make do with what I've got though. :boohoo:Thanks for the progression Glen. :tu
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Jimmy Man have you EVER read about a stone and NOT wanted it????? Hahahahaha that "HAD" is perfect for you my friend
1-4-8-16 and a DMT 325 is EXACTLY what i ordered... now its just up to Don to get it to me :D
I use the Shapron GS for bevel setting, I have the 1k and 3k. After the 3k I run it threw the Ohira Tomae, than Asagi. I have not be disapointed with this set up yet and plan to keep it that way :p
After using several different types of stones early in my Straight Razor shaving career I went to a set of Shapton GS and haven't looked back. They have worked for me on what ever I have had to sharpen. I even use them up to the 4K for my kitchen knives and pocket and hunting knives. I have bought barber hones and may even try some Japanese naturals sometime but I still know I can get my razors where I want them to go with the GS stones. If I would break one of them I would replace it as soon as possible. I agree that the 1, 4, 8 and 16K would be an excellent starter set and could be used for a lifetime of great shaves. A CrO paddle is a must for final treatment of the blade.
bj
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
JimmyHAD, HAD, and no glass stones yet? I'm shocked beyond words. Fortunately I can still type. ";"
:beer2:
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...
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye5
Actually I have an answer, but it is just a WAG..Quote:
Originally Posted by GardenWeasel
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....
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.:banghead:Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
+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...
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Old sheffields and natural stones just seem to go together ... naturally :)
Regards,
Neil
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
I tend to agree Neil I find myself looking to either a Coticule or a Thuringen or even a CH12K to finish the older Sheffields.. YMMV and all that stuff, as I am sure there are exceptions to this, BUT in general I run Sheffielders across natural stones... :D
Glen, Thank You!!
The nani is a bit less expensive, but I didn't want to choose it and be penny-wise and pound-foolish. I appreciate your help!
After our exchange on taping the spine, I took a practice blade back to the 8k dmt, after painting w/ a marker. About 6 passes on 8k, 100 or so on the C12k and that edge was better than any it's had (one layer of plastic electrician's tape).
I've not used the Astral since first getting it back, to keep the comparison value in force. The Genco Fuid steel 5/8 round is the most consistent, after that, a stainless Dovo (same size/shape), but I have to touch up the toe more on the strops. When it's finished well, it's very pleasing.
Will order the Nani today. Thanks again, Sixgunner.
Reaching back almost 3 years to say the same thing once again :)
Just finished up doing 4 razors on the full Shapton progression
Genco
Geneva
Wacker
Brucke
The consistency still amazes me, no fuss, no muss, just incredibly sharp edges, no matter how many times I put these hones to the test they just always deliver the goods..
Just so long as you do your part too, the hones will do theirs..
I started using the 16k at the end of 2007 and added the others in 2008, and these have just always done right for me...
I'll update this thread again in a few more years :)
I've got the 4k, 8k, and 16k. Funny that you post this now because if I can't get one of my razors sharp, I go to the Shapton Glass stones because I'm sure that if they don't get sharp with them, it's me. I just did this to a Dovo that I hadn't been able to get sharp for three months and it at least shaves well now. They definitely cut and they seem to have very good stiction feedback to let me know to move on.
I love my Shapton's too! I started going up to the 16k and then finishing on a yellow/green Escher instead of the 30k. That's the smoothest edge I've ever achieved. No crox, just stropped with SRD web and Roo, 60/80.
Today I got my Gokumyo 20k and honed one of the new Boker Picadilly razors on Shapton's through 16k and then finished on the G20k. It's a bellied razor and seems to be pretty much a redo of the discontinued Boker Extra Hollow blade. Shave test in the AM, but all indications are an excellent edge from the G20k.
Anyway, Shapton GS's are my go to hone most of the time.
Regards,
Howard :)
Edit: Tried the Boker this morning finished on the Gokumyo 20k, no crox, etc.. Stropped 60/80 on web and Roo. As smooth and sharp as any edge I've ever had from an Escher, Jnat or any other stone, natural or synthetic....and truthfully probably a little better. A great shave!! :) Wish I had bought one a year ago!! :D
It sounds like you, Smilin' Sally and Pocahontas had a good time during their stay... Those old New York gals sure know how to party.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I can't wait for them to get back and tell me all about it. :tu
I feel the same way. I get consistent feedback with the Shaptons I didn't get before.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
I remember when I was first testing these out when they were introduced to the market and I can still say from a results standpoint, that they are among the most consistent stones out there for providing great honing results on every make of quality razor I have ever had on them, bar none. If these were the only hones you had from the 1K to the 16K, you really would never need any additional stones. On top of that, because of the ceramic nature of them, I have yet to wear out a set and I still use them all the time when not using either the Naniwa's or Norton's.
I think it will always boil down to personal preferences on feedback from the stones and results for all of us, but after having experimented with so many stones over the years, I still would not be without a set of these. It's good to see so much of what was said early on about these stones being repeated as time continues.
Have fun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Same here, I was wondering if you had gone through a set, because I am not seeing much wear :tu
Not yet and I had them a few thousand razors before you got them.........:rock:Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
How do the GS shaptons differ from the shapton pros? or do they?
My pre finisher is a 12K pro,a great stone.
To me, the Pro's were a little more grainy feeling and not as consistent as the glass stones. YMMV for sure. I had a set and got rid of them years ago. Some of the guys liked them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
The Pros are really fast cutters with carbon steel & no slouch with stainless. Almost DMT aggressive & as a result I think they are not the ideal for everybody. Same as the DMT's you must not press hard or they gouge the bevel especially at the low grits. The 220 grit Pro should not go anywhere near a razor. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I agree with Lynn they are not as consistent as the GS but I've always compensated by finishing with Jnats. Since I bought my 20k Suehiro & tried straight synthetic progressions my hit rate is not as high but I'll work that out.
I found the graininess in the 8k & 12k at first but it seemed to lap out ok. I'm not sure if the Pro's are harder than the GS but I seem to lap them much less.
The white GS were designed for use with A2 tool steel but work a treat with razors. The composition is really homogenous & they 'seem' a tad softer & slower giving a really nice polish. Mind you 'soft' doesn't mean they wear fast , just a cf. to the Pros
Then you have the grey GS designed for Carbon steel but I only ever had one of those in 220 grit. It was ok for restoration purposes with a healthy slurry but the 320 Pro just eats steel & starts the bevel much quicker on nightmare razors.
tl;dr
Pros are fast & aggressive ~ great for restoring
GS are smooth & consistent ~ great for everyone :)
Shapton Glass has my vote hands down. Wouldn't trade them for anything. 1k/4k/8k/16k