So do you no longer feel the ceramics are necessary since you have the Shaptons?
Every sharpening question is easily answered “It Depends” 😛
And it really does – I personally feel that if you are going to stop at the 1600 WEPS ceramic level, you do not need Shaptons or Choseras.
I also feel that if you get the 5K Shapton, then you really should get the 1500 or 2K Shapton to proceed it, which tends to replace the ceramics. (don’t forget I’m spoiled since I pretty much have everything to choose from)
But what really influences the decision for me is that I know I am going to go to 5K or above, and it makes more sense to me to stay within a single system after the WEPS diamonds. Yes, you can mix and match with success, but I find the the synergy of using a singly designed system like the Choseras or Shaptons really makes getting to the final goal much easier – especially when going to the 10 Chosera or 30K Shapton. (I’m also a perfectionist)
On a more advanced note, you have different edges from different stones – the Shaptons produce a certain edge at a given grit which is going to be different than the Choseras, and different still form the WEPS ceramics. There is no universal winner in this equation, either – all three have their places in a specific progression for a specific occasion.
