Shapton Glass Stones Help

Colby L.

Colby L.

Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Messages
91
Hi All -

I am hoping for a little help with finalizing which Shapton glass stones I am going to pick up.

I have been freehand sharpening for about a year now. I have an Atoma 140, DMT C, DMT EF, Spyderco UF and strops. I am pretty happy with my results but now want to try something new mainly for curiosities sake.

For now I have settled on getting some Shapton glass stones. I am also interested in trying the Venev resin bonded diamond stones, for my "super steel" folders, but that is probably a purchase a few months down the line.

My question is regarding the longevity of the Shaptons. Based on what I am OK with spending I can either go 500 double thick + 2k, or 500, 2k and 4k. Is the double thick 500 necessary?

I am a casual sharpener, say 5 knives a month. Ill be using these stones mostly for friends' kitchen knives so likely a lot german steel. Additionally, I am a hobby knife maker currently using 1084 for utility kitchen and outdoor knives. Would I be OK using the Atoma and DMT C to set bevels on my new knives and repair really damaged edges and then move into the Shaptons?

I can't seem to find good information on the actual longevity, in terms of knife sharpenings on these stones. Everyone talks in relative terms. My current thoughts are if I am ok to use the diamonds for my really course work then that should help extend the life of the 500. Then I could go with the 500, 2k, 4k set up. How long should these stones last with my sharpening volumes? Lets assume I am a light to medium pressure sharpener.

Lastly, from what I have gathered I am OK to flatten the Shaptons, even the 4k, with my Atoma 140. Please let me know if that is incorrect.

I am open to any other suggestions as well. Thank you all in advance!
 
I got into freehand sharpening earlier this year and really like the Shapton Glass stones, so I think those are a great choice. I have the double thick 500 and think your money will be well spent on that one, so just going with that and the 2k for now will be plenty. Also, you mentioned that you are a hobby knife maker, so that double thick 500 will come in handy setting a more refined bevel after your coarse DMT actually creates one on a new knife.

Yes you can (and I do) flatten pretty much anything with the Atoma 140. I do have a finer, 600 grit Atoma that I use for a dressing stone on the higher grit stones (4k+) as the 140 will leave some scratches, especially when new.

Finally, MTC Kitchen has a 20% off year end sale going on right now, so that will save you a chunk of change on those Shapton Glass stones. I can't link to the site as they are not a vendor here, but I have bought more than a few stones from them over this past year!

Good luck!
 
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The Shapton Glass stones are pretty durable, they don't wear nearly as fast as many water stones. I found they do function at a grit higher than they are rated, so take that into account when choosing.

I have the set from 220 to 2000 I use the 320 and 500 the most. I did buy the double 500 but after about 3 years I haven't seen excessive wear but I do like the way it sits higher in a stone holder so I would do it again.
 
Glock Guy said:
I got into freehand sharpening earlier this year and really like the Shapton Glass stones, so I think those are a great choice. I have the double thick 500 and think your money will be well spent on that one, so just going with that and the 2k for now will be plenty. Also, you mentioned that you are a hobby knife maker, so that double thick 500 will come in handy setting a more refined bevel after your coarse DMT actually creates one on a new knife.

Yes you can (and I do) flatten pretty much anything with the Atoma 140. I do have a finer, 600 grit Atoma that I use for a dressing stone on the higher grit stones (4k+) as the 140 will leave some scratches, especially when new.

Finally, MTC Kitchen has a 20% off year end sale going on right now, so that will save you a chunk of change on those Shapton Glass stones. I can't link to the site as they are not a vendor here, but I have bought more than a few stones from them over this past year!

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip on MTC. They have good prices and that sale makes it even better!
 
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Not everybody sharpens with the same passes, the same steels, the same pressure. So talking about absolutes in life span of a stone is difficult. However, in spite of the thinness they will last a long time.
What stones to pick really depends on what kind of edge you like, what steels you use, and how you use a knife. That seems non-informative, but it's a real truth. There is no point in taking a D2 field knife to a .5 micron edge. 500 and stropping will do you. There is real and on going debate on how fine a kitchen knife should be. The divide is between push cutters and rock choppers, or veg and meat.
So find out for yourself. Get the 500 and a 2K and see how you feel about the edge for your applications.
 
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