Replies

1. 
   woodman300 | Jun 30, 2003 11:46pm | #1

   The tormek system seems a bit costly. But the shapton stones are costly too. It seems to me that you can get acceptable results with sandpaper on a good flat surface. I think the main advantage to the shapton stones and others is really time. They cut faster than sandpaper. The tormek system will leave you with a hollow grind but the stone will give you a perfectly flat surface.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 01, 2003 06:15am | #3

   If I remember correctly, the other two advantages of the Shaptons are that they don't need to be reflattened as often, and they don't need to be pre-soaked before use, just spritzed.  I was rather taken aback by the price -- will have to stick with my plate glass and sandpaper for a few more years!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   woodman300 | Jul 01, 2003 10:51pm | #4

   I agree. I don't see why I would spend that kind of money when the sandpaper method works as well as it does.

2. 
   woodman300 | Jun 30, 2003 11:57pm | #2

   You might also consider the diamond paste system. The name escapes me but how it works is that you squeeze out some paste onto a maple block and start sharpening. They have various grits available and after a few times you don't have to keep loading up the block, it sort of retains some of the abrasive.

   I still just use the sandpaper and it works fine for me. I go up to about 2000 grit.

3. 
   migraine | Jul 01, 2003 11:02pm | #5

   Why not just invest in a few various grit Japanese waterstones and keep them soaked in a Tuperware container?.  Takes about 1-2minutes to reflatten them with a piece of sand paper.  A little of a learning curve, but worth the effort.  I can resharpen a chisel to shave the hair off my forearm in a few minutes.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 02, 2003 09:03pm | #6

   As noted in JeffK's "Guy Stuff" post in the cafe, there seem to be strong opinions about most things tools or tool-related.  This thread was posted to gather info on Shapton stones, specifically "Has anyone used [them]?"  Seems like maybe not?  How new are they to the market?  The article I read seemed to indicate that they do have advantages over regular waterstones.  Although personally I don't plan to spend that kind of money on sharpening equipment, curiousity rules and I'd too would like to hear from someone who has used them.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   EBrandt | Jul 02, 2003 10:55pm | #7

   I don't remember where exactly it was, but  I remember reading a thread of a handtool newsgroup somewhere where just about every poster was singing the praises of these shapton stones. I'm not sure (don't quote me on this) but I think Steve Knight of Knight Toolworks was a poster as well, also saying that's what he has switched to in his shop. If my memory is correct on this, that's a pretty good endorsement for the stones. The newsgroup may have been the handtools forum at badger pond.

   As for me, I've never used them, but that's what I know about them.

   E.

2. 
   konrad | Jul 03, 2003 12:19am | #8

   I have been using a set (320, 1500, 5000 and 8000 all professional series) for half a year now and could not imagine using anything else. I am using plane blades made from M2 steel which is very very tough stuff. The Shapton stones I have are engineered for stainless steel and after talking to Harrelson (the US rep), he thought these stones would be the best choice for M2. They work like a dream on 01, A2, D2 and high carbon steel (blades made by Ron Hock for Krenov style planes). They cut very fast, do not need to be soaked, but I have found that I do need to use a lot of water and they do seem to work better after I have been sharpening for a while - maybe they are more waterlogged? They stay flatter much longer than any other stones I have tried.

   They are quite spendy, but if you are planning on using hand tools in your shop, the most important thing is the quality of the cutting edge - even the most impressive tool will not perform with a dull edge.

   Cheers, Konrad Sauer

1. 
   DanClermont | Jul 03, 2003 09:47am | #9

   I agree with Konrad,

   I have the Norton 1000 grit stone and the Shapton 4000 and 8000 stones. Someday I hope to sell or replace the Norton 1000 grit stone with a Shapton. I find the Shaptons cut so fast it only takes one swipe on the 8000 grit and I have a mirror polish.

   I have used King stones in the past and found I was always flattening them. After about a year they were completely used up. So you may find the Shapton stones to be expensive but in the long run they are good value and because they cut so quickly I spend less time sharpening which means less time flattening.

   Dan Clermont in Burnaby

2. 
   eddiefromaustralia | Jul 03, 2003 10:21am | #10

   Hi Konrad,

   I swear by the M2 blades as well - dramatically minimise my sharpening time.  I resharpen after about 8 hours actual use now.

   I use another method of sharpening (1200# diamond stone/worn 2000# wet and dry on top of diamond stone as final finish), but can attest to how hard they are to grind.

   Final finish is close to 6000# stone, looking at a mirror finish it produces

   Cheers,

   eddie

   Edited 7/3/2003 3:25:31 AM ET by eddie (aust)

4. 
   Gene_DiNardo | Jul 03, 2003 10:11pm | #11

   My wife purchased a set for me for christmas, #220,#1000, #2000, #5000 and #8000. I LOVE them. They cut faster and stay flat longer than any stone I have ever used. These are the "proffesional series". I also got the compact for flattening (cast iron with a rubber cover that serves as a stand for the stones as well). I talked to Harrelson Stanley,U.S. rep for Shapton (both He and his wife are great to deal with) He assured me these stones would blow anything I was currently using out of the water. He was RIGHT! in fact he even cut me a couple of slips in various grits  and thicknesses for my carving chisels. (Idont think they are listed but i think he'll sell you some if requested). He told me when he lived in Japan he aquired quite a collection of Japanese natural stones, they now collect dust. I also spoke to Mario Rodriguis who now uses them, He said he was going to do a review on them. IMHO, if you want the fastest, sharpest edge on your cutting tools with the least amount of mess or fuss, and are willing to pay for it, they are a worthwhile investment.  Gene.