Thread: What Shapton stones should I purchase?

I started off with the glass stones 1/4/8/16/30k .

Now , a few years later I'm on the Choseras and Jnats.

One thing I personally think the Shaptons cant be beaten on is the Shapton stone holder. It works with all my stones and I love the pond also

Can the Chosera 1K be left to soak in a well like the Norton and King or is that not recommended?

No soaking! Left mine over night once, and the outside layer literally melted. I was lucky to catch it first thing in the morning, but now I only do splash and go.

I have all the Shapton stones except the 30k I just sold. I would recommend a Suehiro Gokumyo 20k. I find it to be very versatile and does an exceptional job as a finishing stone. I used to use the Shapton 16k and 30k and the Suehiro will do in one stone what I had 2 stones for. It also does a much better job. Bring it up and you will see some exceptional comments and review. Price wise it is very competitive with the Shaptons. Bad news is you have to purchase from Japan.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Are there advantages or disadvantages in choosing a Nanima combination 3000/8000 over the separate Naniwa Superstone 3000 and 8000?

Grit contamination. Separate hones are cleaner.

I just received my Nanima 12k stone and I am very impressed. Couple it with the Suehiro Gokmyo 20 k and it really leaves an amazing edge. I find not only is the edge really sharp, but under a glass you can see how polished the edge is. I find the blade shaves much smoother then using just the Shaptons. I still use the Shapton 1k, 4k and 8k for setting a bevel and honing when the edge needs more work. After that its the Nanima and Suehiro. I also found you need less laps on the 12k and 20k and I strop 10-15 laps on my horsehide modular strop and done. No need for chromium oxide. I've had razors honed with jnats and cuticles and my edge shaves just as good.

I too enjoy the 12K and Gok 20k. I've even skipped the 12K without too much difficulty. The 20K is a fine rock to finish on.