Thread: Shapton Glass 30K or Suehiro 20K ?

I’m getting great shaves and lasting edges off my Naniwa stones finishing on a 12K but like a lot of people I’ve got it in my head there is a better edge and better shave out there beyond my 12K. I do not want to spend the time and money for a jnat or coticule. I’d love to have the natural stones but I just don’t feel like a six month learning curve. So, I’m thinking about either a Shapton 30K or Suehiro 20K.

Have any of you used either of these to finish following a 12K? Any of you who may have tried both? They’re both pricey. I’m trying to decide. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Tune in tomorrow, lol. I honed up a pair of 208s, one on a Naniwa 10k (sorry no 12k but you can send me one!) and one on the N10k followed by the Gok 20.

Cheers, Steve

Am definitely interested in your shave off the 20K

I have both the 30K and the 20K.

Honestly I have never gotten good results off the 30K and almost never use it. It's the only stone I have ever used where I'm just not happy with it. On the other hand the 20K works flawlessly, is fast and easy to use and gives fantastic edges. I can't imagine a razor being sharper or maybe I should say being able to discern a difference in shaving past the 20K. I mean why stop, maybe a 60K stone or a 100K stone. It gets to be a cost benefit type of thing.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have both the 30K and the 20K.

Honestly I have never gotten good results off the 30K and almost never use it. It's the only stone I have ever used where I'm just not happy with it. On the other hand the 20K works flawlessly, is fast and easy to use and gives fantastic edges. I can't imagine a razor being sharper or maybe I should say being able to discern a difference in shaving past the 20K. I mean why stop, maybe a 60K stone or a 100K stone. It gets to be a cost benefit type of thing.

Interesting. The Suhehiro is advertised as 0.50 microns the Shapton Pro/Glass at 0.49 microns. Grit-wise, they are the same, so the difference in the edge feel has to be the binder, right?

Or maybe the shape of the grit particles?

Cheers, Steve

Off the Naniwa 12k go with the 20k

The Shapton works best off the Shapton 16k it works best as a system

The 20K works better off more hones it is more versatile and more friendly with more types of steel


JMHO

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The Shapton works best off the Shapton 16k it works best as a system.

I've got the Shapton Glass system (1,2,4,8,16,30k) and love it.

I've got a Shapton 16k and I've heard great things about the efficiency of the entire line. I was thinking about picking up the rest of them.

gssixgun, if you see this, what types of steel tend to be more compatible with the Shaptons? I'd need to reconsider if that range is too narrow.

I read and researched on this site and elsewhere. About the Gokumyo 20K. After over a year of use to refresh my edges. For myself and a limited amount of others. I have been very satisfied with it's effectiveness and ease of use.
Even a novice honer like myself can achieve very good edges reliably.
Recently I have acquired a Translucent Arkansas stone. So far I have been able to use it to get edges that give comfortable shaves. While not the same level of sharpness IMHO. They are smooth and forgiving. The hair is cut easily and the edge seems to exfoliate less.
I wouldn't say one is "superior" to the other. They are just different. It's too soon for me to say which I prefer. My gut tells me that I may switch back and forth depending on what I feel like.
I will say without a doubt the Gokumyo will get you there much quicker than the Arkie. But if I was really worried about being quick. I would just stick with my Fatboy and Voskhod's. And not have to hone at all.
My $.02 Ken

Thank you. That’s the info I was looking for, the best finisher to follow a Nani 12K. About a week ago I tuned up my razors a bit and instead of the usual 10 laps on the 12K I did about 20-25 then went to 20 strokes on fabric with Crx, then 75 laps on English Bridle Leather. It knocked the top off arm hair and all along the edge it quickly popped single hairs without snagging or grabbing and without noise. Under a Loupe the bevel was more polished. The shaves are noticeably better! But like many of us I’m still in search of that perfect edge. I’ve decided that I’m going to take a crack at it with the 20K. Thanks to all for the info!