Thread: Shapton 16K after Naniwas?

Well what do you know! A consensus emerges, agreement!

And I save some cash by not chasing the Shaptons....

Sadly, it just means I have to develop even better technique on the stones I have...

...it's more fun to order stuff...

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Well what do you know! A consensus emerges, agreement!

And I save some cash by not chasing the Shaptons....

Sadly, it just means I have to develop even better technique on the stones I have...

Bingo!

Sadly, it just means I have to develop even better technique on the stones I have

Insightfull and wise!

There is nothing else left to say. A GS 16k is a nice finisher, as is the Naniwa 12k.
Both are no "ultimate" finishers, but very good ones.
If you really wanted to add to the 12k finish (and we´re talking nuances here)
you might have to work your way into super expensive naturals or super expensive synthetics like Shapton 30k.

Have you tried diamond or chromium oxide on felt or linen to improve the 12k´s edge?
Maybe that´ll do the trick and give you that last 10 per cent

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.