Thread: Shapton Glass stones vs.Traditional or "Pro": What's the right choice?

I'm getting info overload trying to research this myself! Can anyone make a recommendation on the Shapton Glass Stone vs. the Traditional? I will be using these stones only for my Str8's so I don't care about cross functionality. Also, the Lapping stone seems really expensive. I'll make the plunge if some more "experienced"

One additional follow-up: Lynn Abrams talks about the 4k/8k Norton as his workhorse stone. I don't see the 4k Shapton's Pro Models too often. Would it make sense to get 4 stones (1k/5k/8k/15k) if in fact the pro or traditional is the way to go.

Thanks

Get the 4 Shaptons you have already mentioned and you would be fine, you can lap them on wet and dry automotive sandpaper, no need for expensive plates. You will get more consistency out of the Shaptons, naturals are very inconsistent with their ability, each one is a completely different critter.

Thanks! Just to be clear, I don't need to use the Shapton Lapping plate for $320? I can use auto wet/dry sandpaper on a flat surface? Would you go with glass stones or the Professional? I think they are both synthetic. Thanks again for the fast reply.

What you are asking is something that will more than likely be answered as any other shaving question, as we all have opinions.

With that being said, I have experience on Shapton GS & Naniwa systems. By meaning systems, I'm talking about using only that set of stones from start to finish, not mix and matching. You can hone pretty much ANY razor with ANY of the systems mentioned. Which would be easier to learn off of? I "think" the Naniwa's would be easier to learn off of as they seem to be more forgiving. What is my go to? The Shapton's, 1,4,8,16 & then the finisher. WHy? I have more expereince with them...that's the only true reason.

You don't need to spend $320 bucks on a lapping plate man. And wet/dry sandpaper rubber cemented to a piece of glass is a mediocre substitute. I would go on ebay and try to find a diamond DMT plate for lapping, You can find them for $10-$20 most of the time

Forget about the lapping plate, sandpaper is really all anyone needs. Everything else is just extra's...

Whatever you do, don't use rubber cement on the sandpaper as the water creates plenty of "stiction"

I would suggest checking out Bladerunner001's recent honing experiment thread.
He sure seems to get some super results with the Shapton Pro's.

Thanks. That's helpful. It seemed like from what I have read the Shaptons are so hard they could only be lapped with their lapping plate.

I'll check out that thread. I am always leaning in the direction of the more expensive things in life! Why should my Straight Razor obsession be any different?!

Originally Posted by Rojo

I am always leaning in the direction of the more expensive things in life! Why should my Straight Razor obsession be any different?!

Dude, it's like we are best friends already