The new High Carbon Glass stones are excellent

[cotdt]

I have the Naniwa Superstones, Shapton Pro, Shapton Glass, and now the Shapton High Carbon Glass.

The HC Glass Stone feels hard and smooth like the Shapton Pro, but the scratch pattern is more consistent/smooth and it very quickly achieves its true grit. It cuts very fast and doesn't wear much, and it doesn't load up as easily as the other fine grit stones.

The feedback "feel" is different. It's not nearly as gritty as the Naniwa SS, it just glides quietly. It doesn't load up as easily as the Naniwa finer grits. There is less haziness to its finish. The Naniwa has more feedback because of the grittiness, but the HC Glass stone's smoothness makes sharpening more effortless (also less suctioning effect with full wedges). The HC Glass stone needs less frequent lapping. Less likely to gauge too as it is a hard stone.

The stone is only available in 4k-6k-8k but it is quite fine for its grit rating. You can finish your razor on the HC 8k (slurry->clean water->dry). Optionally a few strokes on a loaded strop/newsprint, and shave.

I've also tried honing very wear resistant steels on the HC Glass stone like S30V (63 rc) and ZDP-189 (66 rc), and it works great. Cuts fast. Mirror polishes very well.

[cotdt]

I think the Shapton HC 8k would make a huge upgrade for Chinese 12k users. It feels kind of similar (smooth and hard), finishes a bit finer, and cuts much, much faster. You can cut up your Chinese 12k to use as a slurry stone for the Shapton HC.

[JimmyHAD]

Thanks for the review. I have the shapton pros but not the glass. My Naniwa superstones don't feel 'gritty' to me at all. Some do load up a bit but I like the feel and the results I get. One of these days I may try one or two of the new glass stones.

[cotdt]

Thanks for the review. I have the shapton pros but not the glass. My Naniwa superstones don't feel 'gritty' to me at all. Some do load up a bit but I like the feel and the results I get. One of these days I may try one or two of the new glass stones.

What I meant was, with the Naniwas you can feel some friction. Not as much with the 12k, but definitely with the lower grits. Whereas the HC Glass stones are very hard and slippery, just gliding through, w/o that feeling of friction. It reminds me of my Ch 12k w/WD40 except it's a lot faster and more consistent finish.

Another difference is that the Naniwas give a cloudy finish when you use less pressure. You don't notice it with most razors but it happens with full wedges because the higher surface area reduces the effective pressure, and you get a cloudy finish. This HC Glass stone gives a mirror polish on full wedges. It's like an oilstone in this aspect and the fact that it glides very smoothly. But yes the Naniwas still give the most honing feedback.

[Lesslemming]

I don´t want to argue, but my naniwa super 8.000 and 10.000 leave a most bright and mirror finish,
and both produce nothing hazy at all.
I heard of a hazy finish left from the SS 12k once,
but I can say *my* Superstones polish very brightly

I polish kitchen knives with wide bevels as well and never had such a problem. Do you use slurry on the Superstones?

But to get back to topic;
I am really interested in the new Glass Stones.
How much is a 8.000 grit HC GS? And, let me guess, these are available in US only, right?

[Muirtach]

I just ordered the 4k and 8k as well as a 16k non HC this morning. Due to your comments and discussion with Lynn.

[Stubear]

I dont have the HC stones but I do have the 1/4/8/16k white ceramic on glass stones and they really are excellent.

I love the finish from the Naniwa stones but I do find they load up quite fast and dish pretty easily. The Shaptons are more aggressive cutters so you have to be more careful with them, but they are very hard wearing and put a killer edge on a razor.