Thread: Shapton hones

It sure did, but after seeing such results I got this tingling feeling.Mabe I should go see a doctor.Or do you think it could be HAD?

Originally Posted by dward

Max, how many laps should be done of the Shapton 16K after the Norton 8K?

Dward,

that's hard to say as every razor will be different. I'm on the same page as Glen as I like to do 15-20 laps and check the edge.
The Shapton 16K is a known performer but the Shapton 4K always gives me the WOW factor too. YMMV and all that..

Kevin,

I think that's what forums and threads are for. To discuss and analyze different topics.

What many people forget, imo, is that there are so many variables which influence a certain result.

I love the Shaptons but I've already encountered just a few razors that did not like them.
I had to revert to the use of my naturals.
I've just honed one razor yesterday that did not like the coarser shaptons. I had to set a new bevel. Tough Swedish steel. Whatever 500, 1000 or even 2000 Shapton I would use it would start to micro-chip. I went back and forth trying to analyze the why and trying all different kinds of pressure and methods.

I took out my coarser DMT and low and behold it did love the DMT to set the bevel. No questions asked. Go figure. I've had the opposite happen more often.
From the 4K Shapton and up it went perfect and took a really sharp and beautiful edge as I shaved with it last night. But for some reason anything lower with the Shaptons didn't work.

IMO there is no one-hone-for-all but this only goes into effect when you need to hone lots of razors. When owning just a few personal razors it would be overkill to own each and every hone unless you get HAD and love collecting natural stones etc... But that's another story.

Ok, this is abit off topic.But it was me that started it,so...Is there any natural stone that would work as a bevel setter?.I mean without doing a million strokes.
Something that would eq. 1000-2000 grit.

I am anxiously awaiting this answer too..
Although I am a Shapton fan I still jump to my Norton 220/1k for restore razors then go to the Shapton 2k, yes I know I don't need too, but I just feel very, very, comfortable setting bevels on the 1k Norton... (old dog new tricks BS )

Well.......I hate to say it, but for eBay specials, I revert to my Norton 220 grit stone frequently and then follow up with the Norton 1000 as I find them a bit more aggressive than my Shapton Glass hones. For routine stuff, the Shapton 500, 1000, 4000, 8000 and 16000 are really great from setting bevels up to finishing. One thing I have found is that many times I will use under 10 strokes on the 16000 and getting great edges. I usually hone at least 50 razors per week and my Shapton Glass hones are getting a significant workout. I do still use my Escher or Nakayam in lieu of the 16000 sometimes too. I also use the 30000 sometimes and sometimes I will finish with a few strokes of chromium oxide or .5 diamond spray on felt. What I really like is how these Shapton's take a lapping and don't wear down near as quick as my Norton Stones do. I have taken the 4K side down to the 8K side on a bunch or Nortons over the years.

You guys know I can't leave a thread like this without saying "Less Strokes are Better".

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by KristofferBodvin

Ok, this is abit off topic.But it was me that started it,so...Is there any natural stone that would work as a bevel setter?.I mean without doing a million strokes.
Something that would eq. 1000-2000 grit.

A fast Coticule will do it.

Bart.

I have 8 shapton's plus the Lapping plate. But to answer your question, I use the 1K for setting bevels. I think you could also really use the 4K, 8K and 16K. With those I just mentioned, you'd be good to go, for the most part.

I also have a 30K. Once you get the hang of honing- the 30K will create an amazing edge. (Those with poor razor skills need not apply).

Sometimes I'll use strickly Shapton's- but most of the time I mix in the natural hones depending on what the razor responds to.

Bart, would that be a hard or soft coticule? I'm abit confused as of the description of coticules...
Thanks

Originally Posted by KristofferBodvin

Bart, would that be a hard or soft coticule? I'm abit confused as of the description of coticules...
Thanks

If it were that easy... I would give you a straight answer. But it isn't that easy.
Soft Coticules release garnets rapidly. On harder stones it can be more challenging to raise a decent slurry. That's the obvious difference between hard and soft, but it doesn't predict that much about the rate of steel removal. I have several Coticules that I'd qualify as medium hardness, and yet, their speed varies from very fast to very slow. I also have hard Coticules, among them is not a single fast one. (at least not on hard razor steel). I have one Coticule I'd qualify as soft (it raises slurry merely by honing on it). And yet it is not perculiarly fast.
The only thing I can tell, is that on a fast Coticule, the slurry will start to turn grayish within the first few honing strokes. With a (softer) kichen knife and a bit more pressure that will happen on almost any Coticule, but not with razors which have harder steel and are typically honed with less pressure.

Bart.