Thread: Shapton 1k/King 1k for bevel setting

Yes, I know Chosera rules, and yes, I know that most of us do not need dedicated bevel setters.

Now, if finishing with a moderate speed coticule, would you choose a cheap King 1k + DMT credit card (for slurry), or a Shapton 1k glass and wet-dry sandpaper. The DMT 325 of course is the best, but let's consider budget. If you go with the former option, you come out around $50, whereas the Shapton 1k by itself costs that much, without the need of a slurry creator.

I'm looking to alleviate the pain of resetting a bevel on a moderate speed coticule, not restore Ebay specials, or massive chips. I've seen Glen use that King 1k like it was a children's toy, so it caught my attention. However, the Shapton 1k glass seems to be closer in performance to the Chosera at almost half the price. If I go the Shapton 1k route, can I get away with just that and some 320 grit wet-dry sandpaper, or will I have to get the whole stoneholder shebang?

You don't need the Shapton stone holder to use it. I would go with the Shapton, faster metal moving capability, less flattening. You can't go wrong with the King either, so it depends on you. You have to soak the king, and it will be slower.

My vote would go for King 1k and the DMT 325, as the DMT is an essential(IMO) tool for keeping your stone flat, not just for creating slurry.

For clarification, I was referring to the type of stoneholder Glen uses in his videos. I think they're around $19. The Shapton 1k glass makes more sense to me for $20 more than the King considering the speed benefits. I'm wondering what you need to get working. For example, I've seen people who buy the Chosera 1k and some sandpaper and are ready to go.

(EDIT: If you buy the DMT 325, you pretty much need the holder too, right?)

A break down of the 1k's "In my Experience" this is just wet, and does not reflect the use of slurry

Chosera = Fast, Smooth, Hard,
Naniwa = Medium, Smooth, Soft
Shapton = Medium, Medium, Hard
Norton = Medium, Medium, Medium
King = Slow, Smooth, Soft
DMT1200 = Fast, Rough, Hard


Hardness, reflects only when honing multiple razors, and rarely on heavy wedge work
Speed, reflects again when honing multiple razors, and for impatient honers
Smoothness (depth) of the scratches, reflects on how much work the next stone in your progression has to do..
ie: if you are using a small step progression like the Naniwa SS 1-3-5-8-10-12 or the Shapton GS 1-2-4-6-8-16-30 then the smoothness is not a big deal but if you are using the "One Stone Hone" systems like Lynn's and mine or the Coti systems then the smoother you come off the bevel setters the easier the work is...

Glen, you've forced me to choose between the King 1k, Naniwa 1k, and the Chosera 1k now. I intentionally left out the DMT 1200 because I know it's vulgar. Hell, it has a potty mouth when it comes to metal removal.

How much slower is the King 1k than say the Naniwa 1k. I'm attempting the one hone system with a moderate speed coticule.

Originally Posted by TZee

Glen, you've forced me to choose between the King 1k, Naniwa 1k, and the Chosera 1k now. I intentionally left out the DMT 1200 because I know it's vulgar. Hell, it has a potty mouth when it comes to metal removal.

How much slower is the King 1k than say the Naniwa 1k. I'm attempting the one hone system with a moderate speed coticule.

Toss a coin then those two would be my choices for what you are doing, as both are great when you add the slurry in, which helps get you the "feel of the steel" when using a "One Stone System"

The DMT 325 is indispensable on the honing bench so if either one allows for that in your budget, then get that one ...

edit: Without a doubt the Chosera is the best of the bunch but at it's price it better be

Question is: how many bevels do you need to set? I rarely need it save for new acquisitions, which in my fourth year of straight shaving is 2-3 per annum. Therefore touch ups are my main concern.

It is for this reason I never felt the need to expand my bevel setters beyond my King 800 which I follow with a Naniwa 3K, which in itself can set bevels.

The King 800 does the trick for me. It may be slower than others and it is extremely thirsty but it is a blue blooded workhorse. If I were honing professionally, then yes, I'd go for the Chosera. It is quicker, and Birnando was kind enough to let me try it out at the last UK razorcon. I also used Stu's Shapton 1k which I thought was equally great.

Have any of you successfully lapped a King 1k with 320 grit wet-dry sandpaper, and how long did it take? Was it a PITA?

I don't set many bevels ATM, but I want that option available to me in the future. I consider it a standard tool as I only use a coticule, and need something faster to get going.

The DMT 325 is such a useful tool. I would go with the King 1k and that if the choice is dmt/no dmt.

The king 1k is not that bad and can be sped up with slurry. If you are doing a "restoration bevel set", you will definitely notice the slowness though.