Thread: Shapton pro and glass comparison

Sorry for writing another topic about this, but I am a bit confused after reading everything that I could find about the shaptons.

I have a set of Naniwa Stones 1-5-8-12k, and I am getting nice edges out of them. My problem with them is the warping, and the need of constant lapping.
So I thought that I will try a set of Shaptons, maybe I will like them more, I just don't know which set to get.

Those of you who have tried one or both, could you write about:

Which set has better feel and feedback while honing? Which set needs more lapping? Do they swarf or clog? How easy are they to clean? Which is faster? Is there a difference in consistency or ease of use?

I would buy the 2k-5k-12k from the pros, and the 2k-4k-8k-16k from the glass. The pros would cost me about 230$ shipped, and the glass would be about 300$. That is why I need a few opinions about them, because I will invest the money in the glass stones if it is worth the extra cash. I just need to get more funds I mainly set bevels on a chosera 1k thats why I start at 2k.

Thanks in advance for your help!

From my very limited experience working with the 3 different hone lines I find the Shapton Pro to be the hardest, then the Shapton glass then the Naniwa SS is the softest. The Shapton Pro is my favorite of the 3 because it does not require the frequent lapping that the Naniwa SS 8K seems to require. I have grown accustomed to the Norton 4/8 and the Shapton Pro is similar in feel. It does not clog up fast but I clean all hones frequently while honing.

Hope this helps,

Thanks randy, I am looking for opinions like this, keep them coming

I continue to experience no difficulty with the Naniwa Superstones. Actually, the softness is what I like about them for straight razors. As far as warping, I am at a loss. I have been using these and worn out a couple over the last few years and have never had any problem like that. I simply wet them until they quit drinking water, then use them with a spritz bottle. When done, I lap them under running water with a DMT 325 or Shapton GDLP and let them dry until the next use which might be daily, or weekly or monthly. As far as the Shapton Pro stones, I used to have an entire set. I think I still have a 4K around. I did not like the feel of these and found the results a little more inconsistent than with the Shapton Glass Stones. From a technique standpoint, I used all the stones in a similar manner with using firm pressure for bevel setting and then no pressure from the second set of circles on the 4K through finishing.

I really believe it is not a matter of the stones though, but of the personal preference you develop with the stone of your liking. Like the new shaver who invariably will find fault with the razor before the technique, new guys to honing, experience a similar thought process when it comes to stones. The good news is that there are a ton of nice hones out there and once a person becomes proficient at honing, the differences are slight.

Have fun.

I love the feeling of the naniwa hones, when lapped fresh. They have an incredible smooth feeling when honing, with a lot of feedback. The problem is, that if you use a bit more pressure for example on the 5k, it swarfs up in a matter of seconds, and the feedback changes considerably. And that is what I don't like about them. The Norton 4k is nice in this regard, it stays the same all the time, but the bad side is that the feeling of it isn't the nicest right from the start. I woudn't even think about getting a new set of hones if the feel of the nanis would stay the same for a bit more time.

I am not blaming the stones, they are very good, and I will continue to use them if I don't find a system that I like more.

PS: I would get the Chosera 5k and 10k if I would have the money, cause my favourite stone is their 1k performance and feel-wise.

Originally Posted by jeness

I have a set of Naniwa Stones 1-5-8-12k, and I am getting nice edges out of them. My problem with them is the warping, and the need of constant lapping. Small price to pay for nice edges Do you check for warpage dry or wet ? I wonder if allowing them to absorb a little water first makes a difference ?
So I thought that I will try a set of Shaptons, maybe I will like them more, I just don't know which set to get. Probably the GS is a better all rounder while the Pro is harder, faster, & maybe not so versatile. For high HRC Carbon steels the Pros are great. In fact the 1k pro is very fast on stainless too but I see you have a Chosera 1k so that maybe of little interest.

Those of you who have tried one or both, could you write about:

Which set has better feel and feedback while honing? Not sure I really understand this. The low grits feel coarse & the fine grits feel smooth Which set needs more lapping? The GS stones are a bit softer so need more lapping than the Pros Do they swarf or clog? All stones create swarf. A slurry helps suspend it if you're spending some time on a particular stone or just clean it off frequently. How easy are they to clean? Rub with your finger under running water & it's easy . Let swarf build up & you may need to lap or rub with a slurry stone. Which is faster? I think the Pro is more aggressive on carbon steel. Is there a difference in consistency or ease of use? I love the Pro's as fast cutters but they wouldn't be my only system, same as I wouldn't just use DMT's. Sometimes you need a softer ,less aggressive stone. I don't rate the GS as soft but in comparison to the Pro they are softer. Neither are difficult to use.

I would buy the 2k-5k-12k from the pros, and the 2k-4k-8k-16k from the glass. The pros would cost me about 230$ shipped, and the glass would be about 300$. That is why I need a few opinions about them, because I will invest the money in the glass stones if it is worth the extra cash. I just need to get more funds I mainly set bevels on a chosera 1k thats why I start at 2k.

Thanks in advance for your help!

btw your 2/5/12 k progression suggests you are looking at the J-Shaps (Ha no Kuromaku) These are the ones I have so cannot speak for the performance of the U.S.export version. I believe the 12k is called a 15k in the U.S.

I've got a set of Shapton Ceramic Pro stones and I really like them. I had a 16k and a 30k Shapton glass backed but eventually got rid of them. I didn't like them as much as the others. The Shapton Ceramic Pro set I've got don't need lapping too often and a few sprays with the the water bottle (or wipes with an old badger brush) is all that's needed to get going. To clean them, I just wipe them off with an old towel and they are ready to go again.

I have a full set of Shapton Glasstones including the 16k and 30k and I also have a complete Shapton Pro set up to 12.000.
Both systems work very well. As do the Naniwa Superstones!

If you experience warping and wear during a honing session with A RAZOR there is something wrong.
I also have a set of Naniwa Superstones and do not find them difficult or quick wearing at all.
They get lapped as frequently as do my Shaptons.

But maybe there is a point. Different systems appeal different preferences. So there is no "better feel" or "better feedback".
I guess it comes down to personal preference between these sets when it comes to RAZORS.
I emphasise razors because there might be a difference between these sets when it comes to sharpening kitchen knives and tools.

To make it short:
Try to meet someone with a couple of shaptons and see if they suit you more.
And sell the Naniwas for a good price at the classifields

I will have the chance to try a shapton 8k HC, better than nothing

Actually, the Naniwas don't wear too fast, I didn't have any problems with that, I lap them because of the clogging and feedback change. I don't like the fact that they change their form after wetting. It doesn't do any harm, it is just my OCD brain I think I would be happier if I knew that my stone is flat dry, wetted, or just sprayed with water.