Thread: Shapton 16K after Naniwas?

Would the same hold true for following the 12K Chinese stone with the 16 K Shapton? (I hone with a Norton 4K and a Norton 8K).

Dave

It seems to me that we are in danger of not heeding advice given so often in the past with regards to hone progressions - doubling (or close to it) of grit size. In other words the 16k would fit in after an 8k, and if you already finish with a 12k your options are limited to stones around 24k - 30k.

As you get closer to the final stone, the law of diminishing returns sets in - there is a change, for sure, but nothing like the leap you experience at the coarser end of the scale.

A 4k difference between 12k and 16k is so small it is like doing twice as many laps as necessary on the same hone, hence the risk of micro-chipping, attenuating the edge and getting a horrible shave. Having both hones is a bit pointless.

The 16k shapton in its proper place in a properly thought out progression is an excellent hone.

Regards,
Neil

I agree, no point in adding the 16k in at all as it wont add anything extra to the edge.

What I would do, if you want to further refine your edge, is look towards some of the natural stones like Eschers, CF or a Japanese stone. They will improve that 12k edge but are expensive as well, so its really up to you.