Shapton glass availability, also 16k texture question

[climbclimb]

I've noticed that several grits of Shapton glass for the edge pro are both not available AND not out of stock. Are there hopes/plan to carry those in the future?

Also, I've noticed a weird thing where my 16k glass stone feel rougher to the rougher to the touch than either the 4k or 8k stones. Anyone else notice this? Relatedly has anyone found a good substitute/method vs the somewhat pricey 30k stone?

Thanks!

[Radar53]

Hi there climbclimb and welcome to our forum.

I can't speak to the 16k SG as the highest grit SG I have is the 8k. I do have a Nubatama at 10k which is a gem. If I want to go higher, I cover that off with 3M polydiamond films, which are great and easy to use. I don't go above 15k for what it's worth. I got them through a mate in the States many years back, but if memory serves it was through a crowd called "PSI Dragon". The sheets (typically 150 X 75mm) can be easily cut down to fit an EdgePro blank. What I got is noted below;

PSI-32125-3X6-DMFF 3M DiamMicroFilmSht,3inx6in,PSA,125mic
PSI-1560D-6P 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,60mic,TypeP
PSI-1530D-6A 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,30mic,TypeA
PSI-1515D-6A 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,15mic,TypeA
PSI-1506D-6 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,6mic,TypeB
PSI-1503D-6 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,3mic,TypeB
PSI-151.5D-6H 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,1.5mic,TypH
PSI-1501D-6 3M DiamLapFlmSht,3inx6in,PSA,1mic,TypeB

Unfortunately, I'm in NZ and can't help any more than this. Best of luck .............. Cheers Grant

[climbclimb]

Thanks Grant - that's a clever and economical solution. I'd never heard to diamond films, but here I come at 0.1 microns:)

[Radar53]

A 160k grit edge ~ man & I thought I was a bit OCD

[Diemaker]

I used to think anything past the 8k was going backwards with them but last week I played with them again and had better results. So the 16k and 30k I have access to do leave a finer finish on the right steel. Still, I think the 8k is the finest stone in that line I would use before going to a strop because the 16k and 30k stones barely make a difference. When the grit gets that fine you will want a softer bond.