Shapton Pro 5000 vs Sigma Select II 6000.

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Lemwise

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So I've been using the Sigma 6000 for a while now on my PM-V11 and A2 plane blades and I really like it. The only downside is that it's on the softer side, I'm already down from 25 to 24mm. I don't really need the aggressive cutting power for my chisels and it would be nice to get more life out of the stone, so I'm thinking about buying another one, the Shapton Pro 5000 to be specific. The Pro stones get good reviews all over the internet for cutting speed and wear resistance. Does anyone have personal experience with the Shapton 5000? How does it compare to the Sigma 6000?
 
I have both the Pro Shapton 5000 (and 1000/8000/12000) and the Sigma Select 6000 (and 1200 and 10000 and 13000).

I began with the Pro Shaptons about 11 years ago, and switched to the Sigmas about 3 years ago. One of the reasons was that the 5000 and the 12000, especially the 5000, Pro Shapton's were just not cutting it on A2 steel. The Sigmas, except for the 1200, are a step up.

The 5000 Pro Shapton has been a dog in my experience. Others rave about it. Perhaps mine is a rogue. It glazes quickly and is slow to cut. The Sigma 6000 is so much better.

I really would not get fussed about the 1mm you have lost. Perhaps you need to look at your technique (that may be impudent of me, for which I apologise). For example, I generally do not need more than a half dozen strokes per stone. However, I also dress the stones regularly with a Shapton diamond dressing stone, so they do not get a chance to glaze. In addition, I spritz them with soapy water.

Regards from Perth

Derek
 
So it's best just to stick with my Sigma 6000. I'll start working on my technique to see if I can make some positive changes and I will try soapy water. I've also stopped letting my co-workers use the stone which also contributed to the wear of the stone. They started crying about how they now have no good sharpening stone. Yeah, right, like it's my job to provide them with a good stone.

I've also bought a King Deluxe 1200 today on my way to work. I've heard so many good things about it and it's dirt cheap (€22) so I thought, why not try it. Turns out I really, really like it. I think it's a better stone than the Sigma 1200 in terms of feedback and the edge it produces. The downside is that it cuts slower but with this stone I don't mind it at all. I also find the transition from the King to the Sigma 6000 to be easier than from the Sigma 1200 to the 6000.
 
Hi Nico

I have mentioned to you previously that I use a Shapton Pro 1000 in place of the Sigma 1200. It cuts faster than the Sigma and would remain flatter much, much longer than the King 1200. I last used King stones about 12 years ago. I still have the Gold 8000. Nice stone, but not great on steels such as A2 and PM-V11.

Regards from Perth

Derek
 
I find the King Deluxe 1200 to do a decent job on PM-V11 and A2 and I like it so much I'm now reaching for it instead of the Sigma 1200. I also think the King is a very enjoyable stone to sharpen on. I totally understand why it has the reputation of being one of the best feeling and most responsive stones on the market. It's also nice and thick and very cheap. The king really surprised me.
 
Not to divert the thread, but I'm wondering what other's use to dress the Shapton stones?  I have the glass version  not the pro, but I understand that the Shapton lapping plates work for both series.  The diamond lapping plate they make is hideously expensive -- up to now I've just been using one of my coarse DMT stones (the one with the holes) to lap the one Shapton stone I have, which is the 8000 grit glass stone.  But lapping is difficult because of the suction that develops between the two stones.  I thought maybe I'd get the DMT lapping plate instead, but I'm uncertain whether this would be appropriate for the Shapton glass stone.
 
I used a 10" DMT Duo Extra Coarse diamond stone as my lapping plate for about 3 years. It was just fine. I then had the opportunity to purchase a new Shapton lapping plate at a reasonable price from a deceased estate. It has been a wonderful lapping plate. After about 8 years, however, I think that it is coming to the end of its life. It still works, but much more slowly than before.

The DMT will save you a lot of money and do a fine job. I do not think that the retail price of the Shapton is realistic. When mine wears out, I will get the DMT.

Note: do not use these plates on stones under 1000 grit. They will tear the diamonds out of the base.

Regards from Perth

Derek
 
I've actually been using the Extra coarse DMT duo sharp for the Shapton up to this point, and it's worked pretty well.  It's just that a suction develops fairly quickly, making the stone hard to manipulate.  I like the idea of that LV lapping plate, which looks super solid.  Might pick one up when I try my hand at restoring an old plane, as this would be perfect for lapping the sole.
 
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