Hapstone vs EP
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Hapstone vs EP
Upgrading out of my old first generation Lansky.
I sharpen a CPM-M4 blade and some kitchen knives including large chefs knives.
I'm ambidextrous, so not an issue.
Is the Hapstone worth the extra money it costs when compared to Apex? If I get the Apex I *think* I'm going with the SApex 1, and some Shapton Glass stones from Chef Knives To Go.... Unless there's a better stone set for my steels that you all would point me toward?
I sharpen a CPM-M4 blade and some kitchen knives including large chefs knives.
I'm ambidextrous, so not an issue.
Is the Hapstone worth the extra money it costs when compared to Apex? If I get the Apex I *think* I'm going with the SApex 1, and some Shapton Glass stones from Chef Knives To Go.... Unless there's a better stone set for my steels that you all would point me toward?
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
Hi there - you seem to be running two threads that overlap somewhat so I will repeat my responses here as well.
Hapstone vs EP Apex
I've watched Hapstone develop over the last couple of years and its certainly a worthy competitor of the EP Apex. It has some really nice features built in as standard and looks to be a quality construction. You would have to do a comparison of price on a true like for like basis ie make sure that you are comparing the same stones for each unit. I don't know anything about their standard Gritmaster silicon carbide stones, so can't comment, but silicon carbide should cut most things pretty damn well I would have thought.
The only question I can see is the range of angles. The Hapstone does 11 to 44 degrees and I wonder if the 11 degrees is a low enough angle for thinning strokes on a hard (say 64 - 66 HRC) Japanese blade. I have modded my EP Apex to get into the 9's, but it is a bit of a stretch for the Apex.
Best EP Apex Model & Stones
I have recommended the EP Essentials kit to a number of people <https://www.chefknivestogo.com/edproesset.html> & I think that it is probably the best starters kit from which you can add to if you want, for example more stones. The Shapton Glass stones are also a good base to start from, and you can move to or try other brands & grits as the mood takes you.
Hapstone vs EP Apex
I've watched Hapstone develop over the last couple of years and its certainly a worthy competitor of the EP Apex. It has some really nice features built in as standard and looks to be a quality construction. You would have to do a comparison of price on a true like for like basis ie make sure that you are comparing the same stones for each unit. I don't know anything about their standard Gritmaster silicon carbide stones, so can't comment, but silicon carbide should cut most things pretty damn well I would have thought.
The only question I can see is the range of angles. The Hapstone does 11 to 44 degrees and I wonder if the 11 degrees is a low enough angle for thinning strokes on a hard (say 64 - 66 HRC) Japanese blade. I have modded my EP Apex to get into the 9's, but it is a bit of a stretch for the Apex.
Best EP Apex Model & Stones
I have recommended the EP Essentials kit to a number of people <https://www.chefknivestogo.com/edproesset.html> & I think that it is probably the best starters kit from which you can add to if you want, for example more stones. The Shapton Glass stones are also a good base to start from, and you can move to or try other brands & grits as the mood takes you.
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
Side by Side the Hapstone is $80 - $100 more based on having to buy the Shapton stones I want after i spend $239 on the unit with their lowest level stones.
Thats my conundrum, I can get the EP Essential Kit and be done with it all for $264
The plus I see is its better constructed and comes factory with all of the modifications people generally do to the EP.....are those worth the extra $$?
Thats my conundrum, I can get the EP Essential Kit and be done with it all for $264
The plus I see is its better constructed and comes factory with all of the modifications people generally do to the EP.....are those worth the extra $$?
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
Like I said in the other thread, I do not have the Hapstone and in fact no longer have EPA either. I will give you that the Hapstone looks to be very well constructed but I can not see the Apex falling apart either. My uncle has used the one I bought a few times a week for over two years without issue. Well, one issue, he needed to get another aftermarket spring as it simply would no longer stay compressed. I'm not even sure that spring is an original product to begin with, though. How long will it hold up over a few decades, I have no idea but I have code keys made from Bakelite that are nearly 100 years old that are no worse for wear. I think that plastic should hold up just as well.Bostonbull wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:53 pm Side by Side the Hapstone is $80 - $100 more based on having to buy the Shapton stones I want after i spend $239 on the unit with their lowest level stones.
Thats my conundrum, I can get the EP Essential Kit and be done with it all for $264
The plus I see is its better constructed and comes factory with all of the modifications people generally do to the EP.....are those worth the extra $$?
I think it is going to be up to you if it is worth the extra money. I like higher quality when and where it is applicable and if it is needed.
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
I agree with Kit here - I have had my EP Apex for nigh on 20 years now, sharpened countless knives its never let me down and its still going strong. Like I've said previously I think that the Hapstone is a well thought out, solid piece of kit that continues to be developed. It would be the one criticism I have of Edge Pro that they don't seem to do as well. The new EP Apex is pretty much the same as my old one and I think that there are some mods available from third parties (@sharpknives & @madrookie), that improve the EP's, yet EdgePro Inc don't seem to want explore or adopt them.
I don't envy you your decision!!!
I don't envy you your decision!!!
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
That is a long time. I did not realize the EP had been around that long.Radar53 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2017 9:12 pm I agree with Kit here - I have had my EP Apex for nigh on 20 years now, sharpened countless knives its never let me down and its still going strong. Like I've said previously I think that the Hapstone is a well thought out, solid piece of kit that continues to be developed. It would be the one criticism I have of Edge Pro that they don't seem to do as well. The new EP Apex is pretty much the same as my old one and I think that there are some mods available from third parties (@sharpknives & @madrookie), that improve the EP's, yet EdgePro Inc don't seem to want explore or adopt them.
I don't envy you your decision!!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
yeah - them were the days!!! Almost nothing on the internet regarding sharpening - certainly I wish this forum had been around as I spent a fair bit of time working out solutions to all the stuff that people still ask about today.
But maybe the flip side to the comment I made in an earlier post is that Edge Pro basically got the formula 95+% right, before they launched it commercially.
I think that the EdgePro patent ran out about 2010, so you could basically backtrack from that to maybe figure out when they launched the Apex & Pro.
But maybe the flip side to the comment I made in an earlier post is that Edge Pro basically got the formula 95+% right, before they launched it commercially.
I think that the EdgePro patent ran out about 2010, so you could basically backtrack from that to maybe figure out when they launched the Apex & Pro.
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
Those were the days, you say. Hah, I don't even know what I was doing 20 years ago. I'd have been in my second year of middle school.Radar53 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2017 10:19 pm yeah - them were the days!!! Almost nothing on the internet regarding sharpening - certainly I wish this forum had been around as I spent a fair bit of time working out solutions to all the stuff that people still ask about today.
But maybe the flip side to the comment I made in an earlier post is that Edge Pro basically got the formula 95+% right, before they launched it commercially.
I think that the EdgePro patent ran out about 2010, so you could basically backtrack from that to maybe figure out when they launched the Apex & Pro.
- Organic
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
I think this comes down to a question of creature comforts. The Hapstone offers a lot of the upgrades / mods that people wish Edge Pro would do. Nothing is free, so you are going to pay more for those upgrades. The only person who can say definitively if the extra price is worth it or not is you. I think both sharpeners will give very close to the same results, so there isn't really a bad choice here.
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
I went ahead and ordered the Hapstone V7 with Silica Carbide stones.
Which Shapton stone should I buy as a high grit polish/finish stone to compliment this?
Which Shapton stone should I buy as a high grit polish/finish stone to compliment this?
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
If your highest SiC grit was the 1200 then I would suggest either the SP 5k or the SG 6k. I have neither of those two stones so probably needs someone who does to comment. I have other stones in that space between my SG's, which are the 2k & then jump to the 8k. My EP1200 (JIS 5k) leaves a pretty good mirror finish and my Nubatama 5k probably needs something to follow it, if you're after a true mirror finish.
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
Sorry I should have said that if you're after a mirror finish then a jump from 1200 to anything higher than the 5 or 6k is going to take a while.
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
- Kit Craft
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
I have both the Glass 6000 and Pro 5000 and the glass is going to get you closer to a mirror finish, hands down. If that were my goal I would go with the 8k glass, though. 500-2000-8000 will leave the beginnings of a mirror finish on narrow bevels on common carbon and very simple stainless. I think for any alloyed steel I would want a much tighter progression. Now, I don't really play with high alloy steel nor do I care for mirror polish so take that with a grain of slat as what I am saying is just something I have noticed with my stones in passing. I am more into the Kasumi side of things.
Edit: Let us know how you like that hapstone, please.
Edit: Let us know how you like that hapstone, please.
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
I have the silica stones coming with the V7, I'll add one Shapton Glass stone onto it, I'm thinking a 6k, UT really not sure.
My two main knives are made from VG-1 AND CPM-M4.
Arrives middle of next week, I'll keep you posted.
My two main knives are made from VG-1 AND CPM-M4.
Arrives middle of next week, I'll keep you posted.
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
My V7 arrived today, and all I can say is WOW!
It came basically assembled, packaged beautifully, and is a tank! The strength of the magnet that holds the knife is unreal and well thought out. The Poly sliders for the rod to go through eliminate having to oil the rod. There is a specially designed slot on top of the square tube, opposite the stone that is for an angle cube.
Every detail of this is insane, so nice! Great job Hapstone!!!
It came basically assembled, packaged beautifully, and is a tank! The strength of the magnet that holds the knife is unreal and well thought out. The Poly sliders for the rod to go through eliminate having to oil the rod. There is a specially designed slot on top of the square tube, opposite the stone that is for an angle cube.
Every detail of this is insane, so nice! Great job Hapstone!!!
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Re: Hapstone vs EP
^^^^^ Yep I'm also keen to know how you get on & what you think of it.
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!