Thread: Best progression suggestions for Shaptons...

Probably not adding to the thread at all, but I use a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton GS 16k. I don't see any reason to go past the 16k. I think it's an excellent hone, but I lack experience of using other hones.

I basically use the Shapton as a barber's hone as far as I can tell, i.e. I use it for touch ups as well as in combination with the Norton 8k when needed. I'm a bit of a butcher and set my bevels with wet and dry 1000 (ish) wrapped around the Norton 4/8. Of course, I really should save up and buy a 1k hone...

Maybe if I bought a Shapton 30k and tried it I'd love it, but my edges settle in after a few shaves (and 30/70 stropping) after the 16k and get smoother.

I'd think maybe a 30k on the Shapton would actually destroy some of the milder steel razors I have (not possibly the Swedish razors) esp if 'overdone' i.e. too many laps.

I'm still really learning honing though, after a couple of years. It's not like I have a need to practice a lot...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Probably not adding to the thread at all, but I use a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton GS 16k. I don't see any reason to go past the 16k. I think it's an excellent hone, but I lack experience of using other hones.

I basically use the Shapton as a barber's hone as far as I can tell, i.e. I use it for touch ups as well as in combination with the Norton 8k when needed. I'm a bit of a butcher and set my bevels with wet and dry 1000 (ish) wrapped around the Norton 4/8. Of course, I really should save up and buy a 1k hone...

Maybe if I bought a Shapton 30k and tried it I'd love it, but my edges settle in after a few shaves (and 30/70 stropping) after the 16k and get smoother.

I'd think maybe a 30k on the Shapton would actually destroy some of the milder steel razors I have (not possibly the Swedish razors) esp if 'overdone' i.e. too many laps.

I'm still really learning honing though, after a couple of years. It's not like I have a need to practice a lot...

I'm loving the 30K - the trick is not to overuse it.

I do enough passes on the 16K until the blade feels sticky on the hone then move to the 30K and do 3 forward, 2 reverse and 3 forward - weight of the blade only. The 30K cuts fast and any more seems to ruin the edge. I'm working with stainless mostly so there might be a different sweet spot for other steels.

Glen's 3-2-1 works pretty well too but adding those few extra strokes seemed to get me to a better place - YMMV

-john

OK so I've gotten all my razors to *great* shave ready condition but I have one that I just can't seem to figure out. It's a Dovo Best stainless with iron wood scales - beautiful razor (my favorite). I've tried everything under the sun using the shaptons and I've gotten close but not where my other razors are.

Anyone honed this razor on the shaptons? Suggestions?

Weird thing is i have another Dovo stainless and it's perfect after my routine on the shaptons???

-john