Thread: Sharpening - Shapton/Norton/Lobster

Daniel, I am very happy with the Shaptons, especially for hard steels (SS and D2). For the Stanley and Irwins I would just use King stones as they cut well for softer steel. when you say 'upgrade in the next few years', what do you mean - to better quality softer steel or to harder steel?

If you mean to harder steels then Shapton would be what I would prefer, but I have not used the other stones.

I've only used the Shapton stones and I'd recommend them for sure

Definitely go for the Shaptons; I've got each one of the 'professional' stones save the 15 and 30000 (unless you make katana who out there can justify spending USD$636 on a waterstone ?). If you use them submerged or under running water you'll get a cleaner finish like it's been surface ground. I also use a 220 grit norton diamond stone (11x3"); and this also takes care of flattening the waterstones. Add a decent wet grinder and this is all you really need.

Buy them direct: www.shaptonstones.com

How do the shapton profression compare to the shapton glass stones?

Reports suggest the Glass Stones cut even more aggressively and wear even better... hard to believe given how well my pro series stones perform. I purchased the pro series based on the recommendation of this forums members and I haven't regretted it once.

However, if you'd prefer Shapton GS over PS, I wouldn't bother considering the others. Haven't tried the the Lobster, but I've tried several others and I'd never go back to them.

Just put in my order at www.shaptonstones.com.
Was going to try lie-nelson but they were about $100 more.

Qty. Item Name Total
1 x GlassStone 8000grit/1.84 micron US$79.95
1 x GlassStone 4000grit/3.68 micron US$55.95
1 x GlassStone 1000grit/14.7 micron US$42.95
1 x GlassStone 500grit/29.4micron US$36.95
1 x GlassStone 220grit/66.82 micron US$29.95
Postage US$51.

Not cheap. But I don't plan to need anything else in the way of sharpening for quite a few years to come.

(Unless, I upgrade my stanley holder for a veritas one, or get a diamond flattening stone... or a low speed grinder.... lol. but the sharpening budget is empty.)

Hi Boz,

Onya !

We will of course, be expecting a follow up message with the results of your first sharpening session with these stones, with photos.

Am also looking at getting some, (for years), perhaps this Christmas. So will be interested to hear your comments on these.

Cheers
Pops