Thread: How do owners like the Shapton 30K?

I am coming to another crossroad in honing. I have a bottom end that I like that consists of a Coticule and in the middle of some Shapton stones. Finishing consists of a 16K Shapton then on to the 0.5 and 0.25 diamond pastes on a paddle strop and finally I have started using a 0.1 film for the final polish. I also use a films of assorted grits for blades that have a very hard steel to cut down on chipping.

So on to the question. Is a 30K Shapton going to help me get to the final finish I am looking for or should I go to a Japanese natural, or even something else? Any help would be appreciated. The 30K is a chunk of change and I don't like making those mistakes. Been lucky thus far by reading post here at SRP but the top end is very elusive to me.


Thanks,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

I am coming to another crossroad in honing. I have a bottom end that I like that consists of a Coticule and in the middle of some Shapton stones. Finishing consists of a 16K Shapton then on to the 0.5 and 0.25 diamond pastes on a paddle strop and finally I have started using a 0.1 film for the final polish. I also use a films of assorted grits for blades that have a very hard steel to cut down on chipping.

So on to the question. Is a 30K Shapton going to help me get to the final finish I am looking for or should I go to a Japanese natural, or even something else? Any help would be appreciated. The 30K is a chunk of change and I don't like making those mistakes. Been lucky thus far by reading post here at SRP but the top end is very elusive to me.


Thanks,
Richard

Richard,

I'm working on testing this out myself now. I have a Kiita and a Shapton 30K and I'm not sure that I can tell much of a difference as of right now... If anything, preliminarily, it appears that the edge off my Kiita is a little bit smoother. They are both very sharp, and I like them both. But, you can probably save some money and get something a bit cheaper... In fact, what you have is probably sufficient. You may just consider getting a diamond spray on felt to to that final touch up because it helps ward off some of the harshness from the diamond...

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the help. I am using pastes now and since paste on a stop is a stropping movement I was hoping that one more stone before going to the pastes would help a little. I noticed a big jump in performance and stability when I bought the 16K and eliminated the 1.0 micron paste of my old progression of 1.0,0.5,0.25 diamond on a paddle strop. I have been getting some incredible edges both in smoothness and keeness but I find that sometimes pastes are not as consistent as a stone.

Thanks,
R

If MIAMI (money is a major issue). A Nakayama Asagi can be bought cheaper than a Shapton 30k. Kiita is usually top end & exe.
As a rule I find pastes unnecessary after finishing on an Asagi.

I have had my 30K for over a year now and love it. If I broke it or lost it I would replace it immediately. I am now experimenting shaving directly off of the 30K without the pastes and like it very much. I haven't did this long enough to draw any conclusions yet. The 30K works for me and I haven't had any desire to replace it with anything.

bj

Sorry guys - are we talking the 30k Glass or Pro here? My guess is the Glass. Right now I'm experimenting with both 30K's, so I want to be sure.

I'm following with much interest to hear what others think!

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

Sorry guys - are we talking the 30k Glass or Pro here? My guess is the Glass. Right now I'm experimenting with both 30K's, so I want to be sure.

I'm following with much interest to hear what others think!

You know which one I'm talking about

BTW, I've been shaving off of both my Kiita and 30K glass for a bit now and I'm pleased with it. In fact, I've even gotten good shaves coming straight off the stone without stropping just to see what it was like. However, it's much better after stropping

I was hoping - just maybe the pro....

Either way, in general I'm finding less burn with the aftershave off the stropped 30k edge.

Now I'm wondering how many stokes on the strop would you say is "enough"?

Originally Posted by jendeindustries

I was hoping - just maybe the pro....

Either way, in general I'm finding less burn with the aftershave off the stropped 30k edge.

Now I'm wondering how many stokes on the strop would you say is "enough"?

I don't have any idea, but I always do a minimum of 50 on linen and 100 on horsehide after a honing session... sometimes more. I do 25 on linen and 50 on horsehide every day after that on days that the razor has been used broken up before and after the shave

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

I have had my 30K for over a year now and love it. If I broke it or lost it I would replace it immediately. I am now experimenting shaving directly off of the 30K without the pastes and like it very much. I haven't did this long enough to draw any conclusions yet. The 30K works for me and I haven't had any desire to replace it with anything.

bj

Could you describe your progression? and how many strokes on the 30K in the end?
Thanks!