Thread: Shapton Stones

There are some oddities in the feel of some of the Shapton stones. I've got a set of the Ceramic Pro stones and if you run your fingers over them, you'd swear that the 8k was rougher than the 5k. I wouldn't worry about it until after you've lapped them and used them.

I recently had trouble with mine, I was lapping it with sandpaper (two different types), and the stone was leaving *deep* scratches after my 8k, which was leaving a mirror finish.

I was waiting for my DMT D8C to arrive at the time, and since it has, my honing life has gotten a whole lot more enjoyable. I'm still unsure how 1200grit silicon carbide lapping film can leave a much deeper scratch pattern than a 325 grit DMT, but that's another issue I guess...

After lapping my 16k with a DMT it now leaves very minor scratches the first couple of strokes, which then disappear to a perfect mirror finish (to my eye). I now get amazing shaves with it.

Just for clarity, my 8k is the high carbon version, which feels smooth as butter when running my finger over it. The 16k, even after lapping, doesn't quite have the same feel but there is a difference when honing, a very slight rougher feel, but more "satin"-y in a way. Once you get honing you won't be disappointed.

My Shapton 16k and 30k Glass are indistinguishable to the touch and the eye. I lapped them both on the DMT 325 followed by the DMT 600.
They are so smooth it is incredible. Right out of the box these stones can feel very gritty.
Before use almost any stone needs initial lapping. Don´t mind what you´re feeling right now.
When you feel ready for it, give your system a good flattening and see for yourself if the 16k becomes as nice as it should