Advice on Starter set of Shaptons Please

I need to start learning to hone my own razors instead of sending them out. I'm hoping I can order all I need at once and get it over with. I don't see myself restoring any razors any time soon. I just need a set of hones to keep my rotation of razors with a fresh edge, preferably scarry sharp if I can.

It sounds like the Shapton 16k is a great hone from what I've read in the forums. I take it if I were to get one Shapton the 16k would be the one. Based on my needs I could use some expert opinions on what other hones I should get if I added 1-2-3 more? The price isn't much of a concern. I just don't wan't a couple hones sitting around that I never use. I assume whatever I get I'll need the DGLP too?

If I were to pick 3 right now I'd probably go with the 8, 16, 30 K but I've never honed a razor in my life so please point me in the right direction.

If you're talking Shaptons, and more specifically since you say you're looking only for maintaining edges rather than setting bevels, restoring razors, honing out chips, etc, I would first suggest not buying the 30K. You may decide you're perfectly happy with the 16K and if anything adding a final edge polish on a chromium oxide pasted strop of some kind. The theoretically sharpest edge does not necessarily yield the most comfortable shave.

I have a GDLP for lapping stones (naturals, Shaptons, barber hones) but I have HAD and enjoy making a mess of edges, having some successes and sometimes having more frustrations than success. IF you are only looking at buying a few stones and using those fairly infrequently, I'd recommend a lower cost perfectly capable lapping option in the DMT brand D8C 325 grit diamond plate. The GDLP is great, but at $200 more than the D8C, that's a hefty amount of money.

For strictly maintaining shave ready edges and using Shaptons, you may very well be able to get by with the 8k and the 16k. Certainly the 4, 8 & 16.

Just my 2 cents.

Chris L

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Originally Posted by SlamMan

I need to start learning to hone my own razors instead of sending them out. I'm hoping I can order all I need at once and get it over with. I don't see myself restoring any razors any time soon. I just need a set of hones to keep my rotation of razors with a fresh edge, preferably scarry sharp if I can.

It sounds like the Shapton 16k is a great hone from what I've read in the forums. I take it if I were to get one Shapton the 16k would be the one. Based on my needs I could use some expert opinions on what other hones I should get if I added 1-2-3 more? The price isn't much of a concern. I just don't wan't a couple hones sitting around that I never use. I assume whatever I get I'll need the DGLP too?

If I were to pick 3 right now I'd probably go with the 8, 16, 30 K but I've never honed a razor in my life so please point me in the right direction.

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If money were no object, I would say get 2 norton 1k, 2 norton 4/8k, 2 coticules,2 Shapton 16k, 2 shapton 30k, and a couple of good Japanese finishing stones for good measure. One of each will serve you well for absolutely any honing need, and the other set will be lovingly packed in a box and mailed to me :D.

Really I don't have any good advice regarding hones, but I think if I keep doing this someone will just take my advice and give me a ton of hones. :w

I think the 4-8-16 would be a good way to go. I might even say only 4-8. To see if you like them. It depends what you have to compare them with.

I've been considering a 10 sigmapower from japan-tool

I wouldn't get a 30, you should wait to see how things go and -just me sayin'- go natural at that high a finish.

I lap on a well broke in 120 diasharp

i was in your situation and did make a big mistake and i tried everything.never asked for help.
Depends what you want and how much you can effort to spend.what type person you are too.I am a maniac i wanted get the best hone and try it. (i believe if you dont have right tools you wont do great job)
Anyway cheapest solution
by Three line swaty which says in the stone three line course will do exactly same job as norton 4k but faster
2 by green paste chromium oxide and red too.
3 is your choose by belgian coticle or escher or some american companies razor hone natural stone.
i have seen american razor hone which is natural water stone and do job similar to escher.
then you done of course you will need strop and paddle strop for chromium oxide.
i think this should do it.Of course different people will have different opinions.
you ca ngo with norton4/ 8k but then you will need diamond for lapping(ihated t odo so very ofen)natural stone never gets durty.then overhoning going to bother you.etc.i hope this will help my best shot

Just to further confuse things, I would recommend you go to tools for working wood here and get the Norton set of three 8"X3"X1" in 1K, 4K, and 8K. Get a DMT D8C for lapping from Craftsman's Studio and that is all you will need for basic honing. If you decide you need a finishing stone the 12K Chinese for $35.00 is the best bang for the buck. Not sure which vendor carries that but someone will know. Good luck with whatever you go for.

If you are just wanting to keep your razors sharp, an 8k stone, a finishing stone (16k shapton, Chinese 12k, thuringian, coticule etc.), and a lapping plate (the DMT is a great choice, some hones can be lapped with sandpaper, but I think the shaptons need diamond abrasion) are all that are necessary.

If you ever nick the edge of a blade and want to fix it yourself, you'll need something in the 2k to 4k range.

If you ever get a nick that is larger than 1/8 inch you'll need something more like a 325 to 1k.

So you could get the 8k, finishing stone, and lapping plate first, then if you like the honing process pick up a 4k and 1k to round out your collection. And if it turns out that you don't like honing or just prefer to have it done for you, most stones are re-sell-able for close to their original price.

(My personal recommendation, though, is for the DMT 325, 1k, 8k and a natural finishing stone.)