shapton 16 000 ceramic - wet or dry?

**newson** · 03-09-2008, 06:07 AM

i've got a soft spot for the hard ceramic hones like the spyderco 302-uf, which i always use dry.

now i've got a shapton 16000 glass-stone, i'm undecided as to whether dry or wet is the go. when i use it wet, a drop of detergent makes the razor slip easier. this stone feels less dense than the hard ceramics, but harder than most waterstones.

thoughts?

**FloppyShoes** · 03-09-2008, 06:27 AM

I'm not sure you should be using detergent on it. AFAIK you can use them wet or dry.

**joel** · 03-09-2008, 11:24 AM

Shapton recommends using them wet - you'll get the best results. As far as using detergent - I would recommend against doing so.

**Bruce** · 03-09-2008, 12:15 PM

newson,

As far as I know the DMT 8K diamond flour charged plate is the only hone where any detergent is recommended in the wetting solution and that's only a few drops in a half cup of water.

**asbjorn** · 03-09-2008, 12:42 PM

Should we lap this hone?,and if so, with what?, the D8C?, or something else?

**joel** · 03-09-2008, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce

newson,

As far as I know the DMT 8K diamond flour charged plate is the only hone where any detergent is recommended in the wetting solution and that's only a few drops in a half cup of water.

I've heard of this - but I haven't seen a reference on DMT's site recommending using detergent.

**joel** · 03-09-2008, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by asbjorn

Should we lap this hone?,and if so, with what?, the D8C?, or something else?

Lap - yes. With what? - depends on what you've got. A DMT plate will work just fine though, however the shapton lapping plate (a ludicrous $300) works the best.

**crichton** · 03-09-2008, 03:08 PM

I've a 12K Shapton that I like a lot....I've always used it wet. When I first got it I used my Norton lapping stone to lap it and it seemed to work just fine.

**asbjorn** · 03-09-2008, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by joel

I've heard of this - but I haven't seen a reference on DMT's site recommending using detergent.

Inside my D8EE package I found this note:

DSC_7427.jpg

**asbjorn** · 03-09-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by joel

Lap - yes. With what? - depends on what you've got. A DMT plate will work just fine though, however the shapton lapping plate (a ludicrous $300) works the best.

I have D8C, D8E, D8EE

**matt321** · 03-09-2008, 04:44 PM

The Shapton instruction sheet says Do not wash with soap or detergent. This may damage the stone. Use water instead.
The Shapton GlassStones are waterstones and are meant to be used with water. (I haven't tried to use them dry. )

The Spyderco ceramics are sintered (fired in a kiln at 3000 degrees F.) They are meant to be used dry.

**Chrisl** · 03-13-2008, 07:36 PM

I have talked with an Australian woodworker who uses Shapton for his Japanese woodworking tool sharpening and has incidentally been shaving with straights for over 20 years (I think he's a member of B&B but I'm not sure). He uses the 16,000 Shapton ceramic on glass dry and reports great success.

I used the Shapton Glass on Diamond Lapping Plate to lap my 16,000. Yup, the one for $289. I absolutely love that plate and sold me D8C.

Chris L