Sharpening: Norton Vs King Vs Shapton Vs Whatever...

**Groggy** · 2nd January 2008, 09:46 AM

It is not often that you will get agreement on sharpening, but here and a few other forums seem to be agreeing on the following:

Shapton (Professional stones) are preferred to Kings, especially for harder steel.
DMT 10" Duostone extra coarse/coarse are universally liked for their ability to flatten tools AND stones.
DMT 10" Duostone fine/extra fine are (generally) accepted as very useful for preparing surfaces for honing (after flattening) and thus minimising stone wear.

Despite the above, King stones work very well for normal steels (old chisels and plane blades) and they remain good value for that purpose, as does scary sharp and oilstones.

**J.E. Mike Tobey** · 3rd January 2008, 12:17 AM

I am in for that. I would still have Kings, but our forum put together a nice shop kit for a deserving young fellow and I pitched my set in. He is sharpening everything in sight.mt

**Pops** · 3rd January 2008, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by J.E. Mike Tobey

I am in for that. I would still have Kings, but our forum put together a nice shop kit for a deserving young fellow and I pitched my set in. He is sharpening everything in sight.mt

Hi Mike T,

Send that young fellow over here. I have a lot of chisels he could practice on.

Very generous of you and the other forum members.

Onya.!!

Groggy,

The planets must be lined up lately. Agreement on sharpening??? Nah! Can't be happening really can it?

Well put Groggy, a clear and concise summary of the points of consensus. Saves others reading dozens of posts. Well done.

Cheers
Pops

**thumbsucker** · 3rd January 2008, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

produces a harder, less forgiving surface. But it offers more feedback

Derek can you please elaborate on what exactly you mean by less forgiving surface? I have seen it mentioned in a few places but never understood what this actually means.

What is the difference between Shapton Professional Stones and the Shaptons that soatoz sell's? They seems to come in different grits with the professional having more grits in the range.

**markharrison** · 3rd January 2008, 10:56 AM

I bit the bullet this morning and bought the GlassStones from Lie-Nielsen. Partly as a result of the fact that Japan-Tool are away at the moment (no doubt having a well deserved rest) but I kind of need them now.

**J.E. Mike Tobey** · 3rd January 2008, 11:14 PM

I confess to skepticism about paying for glass. But, that is not fair. I think I'll order one and do a side by side with one of my Pro Series.mt

**mat** · 4th January 2008, 10:41 AM

Well, no wonder it has been so difficult sharpening the LV plane blades on the Kings.

So now off to buy some shaptons. Given I have 300, 1200, 4000 and 6000 kings which shaptons should I buy.

Do I need the whole range or can I make do with say a 320 and a 1000

**J.E. Mike Tobey** · 4th January 2008, 12:54 PM

You might do well with just an 8000 Shapton. You can keep your work up with the Kings. Ideally, I would say 5000 and 8000- the 12000 is clearly a self-indulgence, but it does super polish edges. But, I truly believe you get your money's worth with Shapton. I don't understand the glass- I have not seen Shapton saying they are different in resin or abrasive. I might have missed something.

**Groggy** · 4th January 2008, 01:15 PM

Mat, it depends on what you are coming off I guess. If you are straight off a coarse linisher or wheel then I'd say get something near 1000, 5000 and maybe an 8000.

If you are just redoing established bevels then a 5000 might be the go. Mine cuts fast and gives a highly polished finish.

**markharrison** · 4th January 2008, 01:19 PM

News Flash!

Just received my stones via courier.

Stay tuned for more news as it comes to hand...

**jisk** · 4th January 2008, 01:22 PM

Wow, that was a fast delivery. I hope the woodworking magazines I ordered from them yesterday arrive that fast!

I am keen to hear how the shapton glass stones compare to kings.

**Groggy** · 4th January 2008, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by jisk

Wow, that was a fast delivery. I hope the woodworking magazines I ordered from them yesterday arrive that fast!

I am keen to hear how the shapton glass stones compare to kings.

**mat** · 4th January 2008, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Groggy

Mat, it depends on what you are coming off I guess. If you are straight off a coarse linisher or wheel then I'd say get something near 1000, 5000 and maybe an 8000.

If you are just redoing established bevels then a 5000 might be the go. Mine cuts fast and gives a highly polished finish.

There are of course many different scenarios so lets take a brand new A2 LV plane blade. What stones should I be working with

**Groggy** · 4th January 2008, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by mat

There are of course many different scenarios so lets take a brand new A2 LV plane blade. What stones should I be working with

Not just scenarios, but opinions too

.

This is my opinion:

The LV is in very good condition when you get it so it can be honed immediately. Ideally, I would use a Shapton Pro 5000. I do not have an 8000 but would use it if I had one.

After a while the LV will need resharpening, at which time I would hollow grind it, then use a lower grit stone (1000?), then 5000 and 8000 (if I had one).

Since you did not say what plane the blade is from I assumed a #4. Anything needing a very fine shaving I'd reach for finer stones if I had them.

**Pops** · 4th January 2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Groggy

Hi Mark,

Cheers, Pops

Thread: Sharpening: Norton Vs King Vs Shapton Vs Whatever...

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