Shapton HR vs HC

[Jeremy German]

I wanted to pick up a set of shapton glass stones for my plane blades and chisels, I'm confused at the difference between the HR and HC series.

 

I'm getting the impression that the HC series would be better for A2 and HR would be better for O1 steel? Am I getting that completely wrong?

[ChrisG]

You've got it backwards above. IF you get glass stones you want the HR series, which are designed for tool steals.  According to the Craftsman Studio site the HC  "line of sharpening products which are engineered for very fine grained high carbon steels such as those found in fine quality Japanese white and blue steel chisels and chief's knives."

 

I don't know what the "real" difference is but the "HR" is the standard formula and is made for 01, A2, and harder steels.

 

Really though, just skip the glass stones and get the shapton pros http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/Q!0P0000.htm

 

I've always heard good things about the Glasstones themselves, but its just that they are super thin and also softer/quicker wearing than the Pros.  You get much more material and harder wearing stone with the pros and by comparison the glasstones are a ripoff.

 

You can get the pros at the link above or if you want to save some money you can get "grey market" ones from Japanese sellers.  There's some BS out there stating that the Japanese ones won't work in US climates, but lots and lot of people in the US buy and use Shaptons from Japanese sellers.  I recommend this seller: http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/ (do note that if you do get them from a Japanese retailer they WILL NOT be warrantied by Shapton USA)

 

(feel free to take all of the above with a grain of salt. My main waterstones aren't Shaptons. I don't own the glasstones and the only Shapton Pro I own is the 120, BUT everything I just said is straight from the mouth of friends of mine who are Shapton fans)

[wilburpan]

Really though, just skip the glass stones and get the shapton pros http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/Q!0P0000.htm

 

[snip]

(feel free to take all of the above with a grain of salt. My main waterstones aren't Shaptons. I don't own the glasstones and the only Shapton Pro I own is the 120, BUT everything I just said is straight from the mouth of friends of mine who are Shapton fans)

I have and use Shapton Pros, and have tried out the glass stones. The above is correct. Get the Shapton Pros.