I was wondering what was up with Shapton, if anyone had any clue. If you go to the shapton USA website it says that shapton products are no longer available from their site and you can not navigate past that message. I know that in the past we have talked about the supposed cancellation of the glass line and many said that was just a rumor so maybe it is just the USA distributor having issues? It seems that glass and pro stones are still in plenty stock in Europe.
Any idea what is up?
Shapton USA go under?
- ChefKnivesToGo
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Re: Shapton USA go under?
Yes. Mr. Ishida (the elder) retired and handed off the business to his son. The younger Ishida San and Harrelson got into a dispute and they broke up. We had to wait until this was resolved one way or another and this means we're going to be out of some stuff for a couple months. We pretty much cleaned out Harrelson's inventory to get us through the transition but some of the more popular stones will be out for a while.
We're now an authorized dealer for Shapton in the USA and Canada only. I am not allowed to sell them outside those two countries.
We're now an authorized dealer for Shapton in the USA and Canada only. I am not allowed to sell them outside those two countries.
- Kit Craft
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Re: Shapton USA go under?
Thank you for clearing that up, Mark. Sucks to hear about such things but I guess it is what it is.ChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:41 am Yes. Mr. Ishida (the elder) retired and handed off the business to his son. The younger Ishida San and Harrelson got into a dispute and they broke up. We had to wait until this was resolved one way or another and this means we're going to be out of some stuff for a couple months. We pretty much cleaned out Harrelson's inventory to get us through the transition but some of the more popular stones will be out for a while.
We're now an authorized dealer for Shapton in the USA and Canada only. I am not allowed to sell them outside those two countries.
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Re: Shapton USA go under?
PS the Glass Stones are not being discontinued by the factory. But some of the smaller retailers who can't handle bringing in 700-1000 stones at a time are most likely going to drop them and discontinue them in their stores. We already have a big order in the works but as you guys know it takes time for boats to float across the Pacific.
- Kit Craft
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Re: Shapton USA go under?
Thank you for that clarification also! I guess we can put that rumor to bed. 500/2k or 320/1k/3k are stones that I like to buy as gifts and to recommend to others. I am out of people that I know who are interested in sharpening, though. Thank god, my wallet can not handle buying my own stuff let alone gifts.ChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:46 am PS the Glass Stones are not being discontinued by the factory. But some of the smaller retailers who can't handle bringing in 700-1000 stones at a time are most likely going to drop them and discontinue them in their stores. We already have a big order in the works but as you guys know it takes time for boats to float across the Pacific.