Thread: These stones look a lot like Shaptons

Hi Ian,

First, the part of the above stones that seem to be the stated grit size seems very thin in comparison to the Shaptons.

For instance, the 5000 grit above. Going to the link you provided, the 5000 grit costs $98...I assume in Aussie bucks? The Shapton 5000, which is thicker, costs $82 US on the Shapton website.

But the above are not rebadged Shaptons. Not even close in appearance.

I have no idea of the cost involved in ordering Shaptons with shipping etc to Australia. But the two stones are different in thickness and hence longevity of use. Appears to be a false economy of savings (if any) in purchasing the above stones to me.

Take care, Mike

Ian, a good find. I don't know about Shaptons, but the King waterstones appear identical to what I just paid $75 for. They want $39 for the 1000/6000 combo.

I had the same idea re getting the stones cheaper from Chef's supplies, but found they were more expensive than the usual ww suspects.

Well done on this!

Mike

Shaptons come in at least two grades a cheaper (call it Amateur grade) where about 15mm (say 5/8") of abrasive bonded to a nonabrasive base and the more expensive Professional grade where the whole stone is made of the same abrasive material. I suspect the major advantage of the professional grade is you can turn the stone over and use the other side and hence double the time between flattenings.
In use I don't think there would be much difference between the two grades, especially in the finer grits which should wear fairly slowly anyway.

The stones on the site I referenced look like the Amateur grade rebadged. If they are, the price looks pretty reasonable. $98 Aussie bucks would translate to about $60 US (after extracting taxes and applying the exchange rate). I was lucky enough to be in Japan earlier this year where I picked up one of each sort of 5000 grit Shapton stone. From memory I paid about 3400 Yen (about $40 Aussie, say $30 US) for the Ameteur grade and about 5200 Yen (about $60 Aussie, say $45 US) for the Professional stone.

ian

Ian

What are you using to flatten the Shaptons?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek

I haven't needed to yet.
I'm hoping that wet and dry on glass will work — the US Shapton site sugggests it will.
Though I'm tempted to ask Schoo (I think I've spelt his name right) to sent me a flattening plate from Japan in exchange for something he can't get there.


BTW I really like the shape of your sofa table. Would you object if I modified the design into a coffee table?

ian

BTW I really like the shape of your sofa table. Would you object if I modified the design into a coffee table?

Ian

Thanks for the compliment. Go for your life (but post the results so we can see what you come up with).

Regards from Perth

Derek

There's a 't' in there, but I'll let you off.

For prices, check this place. Only if you are brave/want to feel sick.

Also know the Yen in is in the toilet right now, so it might be the time to buy...

This is not the cheapest I have seen by a long way however. I have seen them at under half the RRP, which means the #30,000 comes in at about $300 Aussie. Not that anyone would get one of them, but just an indicator of the cost.

Wonder if I should pack a case next time I come home, but not till next winter.

Oh yeah, as for things I can't get here, I don't give a rat's back end anymore. If I can't get it, I'm going to make it, and save a few bucks in the process.

Maybe.

Even cast iron planes...

Yes Schtoo...the 5000 grit Professional works out to about $38 US...

Hi Ian, I knew in the back of my head they made two grades...but like most things, after a while it got lost <g>...thanks.

So let's see, the $82 US Professional 5000 grit works out to be about $110 Australian. The 5000 grit from the source you cite is $98 Australian. Doesn't seem like a lot of difference--except I'm totally ignorant of importing such a thing.

Seems like Schtoo's link would be the ticket. Seems like if they shipped to Australia, the current currency exchange would more than make up for it.

Well, I've poked my nose into this long enough...I shouldn't try to figure out the intricacies of international shipping, taxes, duties, currencies and the like.

I think I'll go clean my gutters...

Take care, Mike

Mike, I have both a Global 1000, and several shapton prof. stones. they are definately not the same. the shapton's are much harder and require flattenig les often. the global feels more like a King brand stone.

Thank you for the first-hand impressions, Ryan. It's always good to have accounts of the products under discussion.

Mike

Ryan is correct re the King stones. I just bought a 1000/6000 for $39 as opposed to the (cancelled - no stock) order I had with Timbecon for $75. Next day delivery too. Identical stone and badging.

Helpful and efficient people too.

I'm still looking at the $100 package as the stone holder alone was $35ish at Carbitec.