Thread: Shapton GS 16000

So I took the plunge and got a shapton gs16000 for finishing but after a LITTLE playing I realised I have no idea even where to start.
I was wondering If any of you fine people who have or had a gs16000 could share some tricks, experiences info for example I'm still not sure If this is a fast or slow cutter but am pretty sure it's not supposed to glaze up so quick.
anywho thank you in advance.
oh and before the shapton I have a norton 4/8k

I used to have a SGS 16k as well as the Norton 4/8k. Shaptons are very fast cutters and rather fond of themselves, meaning they work best as a system.

My 16k glazed over extremely fast off the 8k and it took a while to get the edge from 8k to 16k, lots of washing off of the 16k. I was able to get the edge wicked sharp, but found that I didn't like the edge i got off the stone. This was a totally personal issue as I was rather fond of the edge off the coticule and later off my Jnats, hence going to a fully natural line up for my razors.

I sold the 16k here and I believe the new owner is very happy with it, I just couldn't tell you who got it

Just rub it with your palm under running water and that will clean it right up. The thing I like best about the GS16 is that you can feel the blade getting sucked down onto the stone as it gets sharper. When the suction/sticktion stops increasing you know you are maxed out. It usually only takes about 10-15 laps before I am done.

I use a GS progression of 1,4,8,16,CF. It is extremely easy to overhone with the shapton 16k. I have learned that 8-12 passes is all an edge can take before some negative issues start to arise. If it's one of the softer steels like some sheffields I'll go about 8 x's, if it's harder steel like a TI i'll go about 12 passes. Start with a lesser amount of about 6 x's and try the shave. If it's good, stay there. If it feels like it could use a bit more, go with two more x's & so on until you arive where you want the edge. When stropping after you hone, only go about 10-20 passes until you get the edge where you want it off teh stones, then strop as usual. For me, I have found that stropping right after the stones can hide some edge deficiencies as where straight off the stones tells a better story. This is my experience, take it as you will...
Scott

I like the 16, it's the only Shapton I have. I didn't buy all their gadgets either, and it works just fine. It does load up easily, and as the previous poster mentioned, it does wash off just as easily. It may need lapping due to loading a bit more than other stones, ime. I've mixed it up before, Au Natural, Synthetics and Natural, and just Synthetics...It's all good, like Pizza, Just some are different...

As the one poster mentioned, You do feel the stone sucking the blade to it, I find this stone to be a fast cutter...10 strokes normally by the time I get to it. YMMV, different blades, and different honings, etc, etc, etc....

Here's a couple pics of what I do to elevate this flat, flat stone. Of course, you can put it on another stone, or improvise in some way...I really like these rubber feet, great height, stable, etc...I may have extra, you pay the shipping...

Rich

Originally Posted by zib

I like the 16, it's the only Shapton I have. I didn't buy all their gadgets either, and it works just fine. It does load up easily, and as the previous poster mentioned, it does wash off just as easily. It may need lapping due to loading a bit more than other stones, ime. I've mixed it up before, Au Natural, Synthetics and Natural, and just Synthetics...It's all good, like Pizza, Just some are different...

As the one poster mentioned, You do feel the stone sucking the blade to it, I find this stone to be a fast cutter...10 strokes normally by the time I get to it. YMMV, different blades, and different honings, etc, etc, etc....

Here's a couple pics of what I do to elevate this flat, flat stone. Of course, you can put it on another stone, or improvise in some way...I really like these rubber feet, great height, stable, etc...I may have extra, you pay the shipping...

Rich

cool Idea and thank you for the offer, however I'm setting it on an old norton 1/8k I use for my knives and it seems to work ok.
I am thinking about getting a piece of timber and maybe putting some rubber on top to steady, but only if my current solution becomes problematic ^_^

Like has been said, you dont want to do many passes on the 16k. Your razor should already be shaveable sharp when you get to it. Its more to put the finishing touches on the edge than any real in depth work.

thanks for starting this thread kalgoorlieboi i just recived the sgs 16000 too . so this is how my stone progression will go soft ark translucent ark coti c12 and then sgs16k

Originally Posted by eleblu05

thanks for starting this thread kalgoorlieboi i just recived the sgs 16000 too . so this is how my stone progression will go soft ark translucent ark coti c12 and then sgs16k

May I ask why you are using 4 different finishing stones?

Originally Posted by randydance062449

May I ask why you are using 4 different finishing stones?

+1. All those intermediate finishers are really not making the end result better.
That would be like mowing the lawn first with the scythe (the bevel setting), then using a gas powered mover (the sharpening up to 8k) and then using 4 different push reels with slightly lower blade height to end up where you want.