Thread: Shapton Hones

I have found two models of Shapton hones... one of which is much more expensive than the other (the "professional series"). Is there really a big difference between the two? Both families of hones come in the full range of grits. Just curious.

http://thejapanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=13253
http://thejapanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=13238

thanks
Andrew

I don't know which one is better. I've got the ceramic hones in 8000 and 15000 grit and like them a lot. I am seriously thinking of getting the 2000 and 5000 grit stones and ditching the Norton.

One thing about the Shapton hones is they are rated with a different system than Norton uses, so while the Norton 8k uses a 3 micron abrasive the Shapton 8k uses a 1.8 micron abrasive. The other nice thing is the Shaptons don't need to be soaked before use, just spritz on a little water and go to work. When you're done just let it air-dry for 15 minutes or so and put it away.

Originally Posted by mparker762

I don't know which one is better. I've got the ceramic hones in 8000 and 15000 grit and like them a lot. I am seriously thinking of getting the 2000 and 5000 grit stones and ditching the Norton.

One thing about the Shapton hones is they are rated with a different system than Norton uses, so while the Norton 8k uses a 3 micron abrasive the Shapton 8k uses a 1.8 micron abrasive. The other nice thing is the Shaptons don't need to be soaked before use, just spritz on a little water and go to work. When you're done just let it air-dry for 15 minutes or so and put it away.

do you remember how much you paid for them? It sounds like you have the "pro" series.

thanks
Andrew

Yes I have the "pro" series. The only other series I know if is their glassstone series, though I hear some people talking about a 12k Shapton hone so maybe there's another series of Shaptons I don't know about, AFAIK neither the pro or glass series has a 12k in the lineup. 12k sounds more like a traditional japanese or chinese waterstone grit.

Anyway, I got mine at www.shaptonstones.com.

I know Joe Lerch got some glassstones and seemed to like them. Do a search for "glassstone" and you'll find some of his comments on them. He's not around here much anymore but he still hangs around at SMF and SER if you want to get more up-to-date information.

Joel's got a 30k Shapton, but I don't know if it's the pro or glass series hone. I hope it's a glass stone, I'd hate to think of anybody ponying up that kind of money for a pro series 30k hone.

The pro stones are full thickness, ie what you see is all sharpening material, whereas the m5 stones are only a quarter inch of sharpening material glued to a ceramic substrate, much like the glass stones which are glued to glass.

Since the shapton stones are very hard, you would probably be best going for m5 or glass stones especially in the higher grits, becuase you would be unlikely to use a whole pro stone in your lifetime, if you are just a home user.

There are also subtle differences between the various lines of shapton stones, ie the japanese versions are different from the american, and the m5 are slightly different to the glass stones. There is more info on the differences at knifeforums/in the ktichen forum.

[QUOTE=ernestrome;89071]The pro stones are full thickness, ie what you see is all sharpening material, whereas the m5 stones are only a quarter inch of sharpening material glued to a ceramic substrate, much like the glass stones which are glued to glass.QUOTE]

Thanks... yup, that's the difference, m5 and professional are the same material, just different amounts of it. I can't imagine ever even making a dent in the m5, let alone an entire stone. I found a great price at epicurean edge... $39.85 for the Shapton m5 12,000 grit. I bought that and a nagura stone for less than $60 shipped to my door. Not bad for such a high grit stone.

Andrew