Shapton 16K Glass to the rescue

As a 'natural' sort of guy, I have resisted the Shaptons for quite a while. I get fantastic one-pass edges off my BBW/Coti/CH12K progression...on most razors. There's the rub.

I have one razor that I have struggled with for more than two years. The challenge is what has kept me from selling it off. If all of my other razors were rated at 99% edges, this razor never got past 96.5% and it bugged me. I tried taping and all sorts of progressions and just could not get it where I wanted it. I rank an edge at 99% if it gives a one-pass BBS shave that lasts until the late afternoon.

I broke down and bought the Shapton 16K glass looking for a miracle :) ($100 investment for a $50 razor:confused:). Well let me tell you, this did the trick! In 20 laps! Now this razor can join the elite rotation.

I would like to add that this problem razor is a newer blade, probably from the '40s or '50s and my other razors are from around the turn of the century. Maybe it is a steel difference, who knows. I just know that it works now. How long the edge lasts is another test. My early razors go a loooooong time between touch-ups. I am hoping that (like with knife blades) the harder to sharpen razor edge also lasts longer.

I am not about to switch over completely as my naturals do perform admirably but I am glad that I stepped outside the box on this one.

You make a good point for not gettting rid of hones. It is good to have variety in tools, hones included. Even for the natural lovers, there will come a time when something other than a razor needs sharpening.
Maybe I will try Shapton for the stainless razors, they always leave me wishing for a little more.

Just ordered mine! I have a chinese 12k ebay special that I am not that happy with.

This should round out my kit!!

Does anyone use the 30K shapton? Now that is an expensive stone!

:beer2:

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Originally Posted by Kingfish

You make a good point for not gettting rid of hones. It is good to have variety in tools, hones included.

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+1 on that!

When I got my Naniwa's I was planning to sell my Shaptons. "Why would I need two sets of hones?" I said to myself.

If I had a pound for the number of times I've honed a razor on one set of hones, not liked the edge and swapped over to the other set and then loved the edge... I'd have about £7.50. :D

Seriously though, this happens to me suprisingly often and it really amazes me how much of a difference swapping stones can make.

I have an old Sheffield wedge that I honed on Naniwas (which I generally prefer to use as the edges seem to feel slightly softer IME than what the Shaptons give) and then my Maruichi. The edge was Ok, it certainly shaved but it wasnt really smooth enough. So I broke out the Shaptons, finished on the Maruichi again and shazam: One killer sharp, buttery smooth edge.

On the flip side I honed my Bismarck on the Shaptons a while ago and found the edge felt a little harsh. So I swapped over to the Naniwas and now that razor gives a truly velvet squeegee shave.

Also, my W&B wedge took a great edge from being honed on 1k and 4k Shapton, then 8k and 12k Naniwa and then the Maruichi. I was experimenting with mixing the hones up, as you do...!

Thats the cool thing about this hobby, theres so much tweaking and fun to be had..! :D

O.K. -this is one thats got me ,whats a glass hone? and when do you use it?

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Originally Posted by Grizzley1

O.K. -this is one thats got me ,whats a glass hone? and when do you use it?

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A glass hone is a Shapton hone that has a relatively thin layer of their synthetic abrasive material bonded on to a piece of glass. The whole thing is only about 3/8ths of an inch thick. The glass is only there to provide a substrate for the abrasive, you don't actually hone on the glass.

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Originally Posted by Grizzley1

O.K. -this is one thats got me ,whats a glass hone? and when do you use it?

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It is from the Shapton Company. They have different models like "Professional series, Glass Stones(which have about 5 or 6 mm of abrasive material fused on glass making them a little more affordable)
Do a search and you will find tons of info. Welcome:)

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Originally Posted by Stubear

+1 on that!

. I was experimenting with mixing the hones up, as you do...!

Thats the cool thing about this hobby, theres so much tweaking and fun to be had..! :D

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You give me way to much credit, most times I don't mix them on purpose, I just get mixed up.:)

Yes it is a very relaxing and fun to try new stones and combinations, then feel the difference when shaving.

As we improve our skills, old stones become new again!