Anyone know what's happened to shapton glass stones? Most of the USA sources are out of stock in the common grits and the remaining grits are slowing vanishing. The Shapton USA site has been cleared of content except for a message indicating they are no longer selling on that site and a link to HMS Enterprises - which offers no more information on the Shapton line. Toolsfromjapan has a message indicating the glass stones have been discontinued in Japan, however the Pro line is still listed on their site. This doesn't seem like the typical intermittent supply issue.
Shapton Glass Stones discontinued?
- Thread starter RKA
- Start date
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
RKA said:
[member=21249]RKA[/member]
I read on a post somewhere that the owner in Japan had turned the business over to his son, who then had a disagreement with the owner of Shapton USA (Harrelson "Hap" Stanley). As a result, their business relationship has ended. I suspect eventually, Shapton will establish a new USA business relationship.
Since I invested heavily in the Shapton product line during their 20% off sale at the first of the year, I am anxious for the issue to be resolved. As for the current status of the glass stones, I have not heard anything. Personally, I purchased the pro series for every grit but the double thick 500, which comes from the glass line.
HarveyWildes
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2016
- Messages
- 984
Sharpening Supplies still has a reasonable selection, but they are not listing the 16000 grit stone.
Even sharpening supplies has limited stock of the HR series. 500, 3K, 6K and 30K only. They do have additional grits in the HC series (high carbon). I had an order for a 1K HR in Jan. They kept me up to date, however eventually just cut me a refund check because they had no idea when they would get stock.
Toolsfromjapan is a Japanese source and even they can't get them anymore which now leads me to believe it's more than a US distribution issue.
Toolsfromjapan is a Japanese source and even they can't get them anymore which now leads me to believe it's more than a US distribution issue.
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
[member=21249]RKA[/member]
While I don't see any Glass version stones listed with "ToolsfromJapan", they do have the #120, #220, #320, #1000, #1500, #2000, #12,000, and #30,000 PRO stones listed for sale, although I would not recommend ordering them due to the high cost of shipping.
Here is a link to the source I referenced in my previous post explaining what has happened regarding Shapton USA:
http://www.chefknivestogoforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2250
While I don't see any Glass version stones listed with "ToolsfromJapan", they do have the #120, #220, #320, #1000, #1500, #2000, #12,000, and #30,000 PRO stones listed for sale, although I would not recommend ordering them due to the high cost of shipping.
Here is a link to the source I referenced in my previous post explaining what has happened regarding Shapton USA:
http://www.chefknivestogoforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2250
[member=60452]McNally Family[/member]
Thanks for the link! It seems like they may be doing away with a US distributor and allowing retailers to go direct? That link suggests an order of 1,000 stones or more would need to be placed by the retailer. Geez, that's $50-75K in inventory that would take quite a while for a retailer to sell. Having had good experiences with CKTG in the past, I'm happy they will be one of the retailers continuing to offer that line.
Yes, I did see that TFJ was selling the pro line. I mentioned that in my initial post because I thought it strange that they offered that, but indicated the glass stones were discontinued in Japan. This does seem to conflict with the CKTG statement.
Thanks for the link! It seems like they may be doing away with a US distributor and allowing retailers to go direct? That link suggests an order of 1,000 stones or more would need to be placed by the retailer. Geez, that's $50-75K in inventory that would take quite a while for a retailer to sell. Having had good experiences with CKTG in the past, I'm happy they will be one of the retailers continuing to offer that line.
Yes, I did see that TFJ was selling the pro line. I mentioned that in my initial post because I thought it strange that they offered that, but indicated the glass stones were discontinued in Japan. This does seem to conflict with the CKTG statement.
I got turned on to Rob Cosman's sharpening technique and got the Trend 300/1000 diamond plate, and the Shapton 16,000 and 8,000 glass stones, along with the Shapton pond for containing it all. They were a little hard to find - my dealer only had the 8,000 - still haven't found a stone holder in stock anywhere.
Anyway, my local Woodcraft (Orange County, CA) tells me that there was a distribution problem, and they are due in next week or so.
I had been using my Tormek to sharpen everything, and it's tedious enough and finicky enough that I'm just going to use pretty much for lathe chisels.
Rob's method of sharpening re-started my interest in planes. Good thing I'm used to paying Festool-type prices. Premium planes are a little pricey... (not interested in garage sale restoration projects). A Lie-Nielsen or Veritas plane is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship... Adding to my collection - most recently a Veritas Shooting Plane with their new PM-V11 blade. Wow...
Anyway, my local Woodcraft (Orange County, CA) tells me that there was a distribution problem, and they are due in next week or so.
I had been using my Tormek to sharpen everything, and it's tedious enough and finicky enough that I'm just going to use pretty much for lathe chisels.
Rob's method of sharpening re-started my interest in planes. Good thing I'm used to paying Festool-type prices. Premium planes are a little pricey... (not interested in garage sale restoration projects). A Lie-Nielsen or Veritas plane is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship... Adding to my collection - most recently a Veritas Shooting Plane with their new PM-V11 blade. Wow...
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
LDBecker said:
[member=11424]LDBecker[/member]
"still haven't found a stone holder in stock anywhere"
Try here:
https://www.fendrihan.com/products/shapton-glass-stone-holder?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=2152496835&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI95COodir1gIVjVuGCh18PQa6EAQYAyABEgICAPD_BwE
At least as of right now, the site indicates in stock and ready to ship.
deepcreek
Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2009
- Messages
- 1,000
LDBecker said:
I agree but Lie-Nielsen and Veritas planes are bargains compared to the limited edition Bridge City Tool Works planes!
Their SE Dual Angle Smoother is a hand crafted thing of beauty and at $4,222 is priced for collectors.
http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/in-production/se-dual-angle-smoother.html
p.s. Just so I don't cause too much thread drift, I am a fan of the Shapton stones and hope they get this straightened out soon.
Attachments
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
LDBecker said:
[member=11424]LDBecker[/member]
Hi, I was just wondering if you were able to get the Shapton Stone Holder from Woodcraft?
Cliff
Yes, I did get it. It works well and adds some stability to the stone for use. I got it for my 16k stone. I considered getting a 2nd one for the 8k stone I also ended up purchasing, but I think I will just move the stones when I need to switch grades.
Thanks!
Thanks!
