Shapton GlassStone 16,000 Grit

Not every knife needs a 16000 grit finish - but for single-bevel Japanese knives, yanagibas, straight razors, and high-end double bevel knives where mirror polish is the goal, this is the stone that gets you there. At 0.92 micron particle size, the Shapton GlassStone 16000 produces a true mirror finish with a level of refinement that removes the need to strop for some knives entirely. The Shapton recommended progression of 500-2000-16000 puts this stone as the final destination in a three-stone kit - a deliberate choice that reflects how efficiently this stone bridges from the 2000 to a mirror edge without intermediate steps.

Like every stone in the GlassStone lineup, the 16000 cuts faster than its grit number suggests. Shapton’s hard bond construction means the abrasive stays sharp and aggressive through extended use rather than glazing over, and the tempered glass backing keeps the stone thin, light, and resistant to breakage. Splash and go - no soaking required after the first-use preparation - and the stone maintains a flat surface well between flattening sessions. Worth noting: this stone is priced more accessibly than you might expect at this grit level, sitting below what comparable ultra-fine stones from other Japanese makers typically cost. The 16000 is also effective on woodworking tools - plane blades, chisels, and spokeshaves respond well to this level of refinement.

What Customers Are Saying: All six reviewers gave five stars. One uses the 16000 followed by a 0.5 micron diamond strop for quick touch-up maintenance on knives, calling the results excellent and the splash-and-go convenience a genuine advantage. Another found the stone puts a mirror finish on most knives without needing to strop at all - mirror smooth was how he put it. A third reviewer uses it specifically on A2 steel spokeshave blades and calls it excellent for that application. The consensus is a stone that consistently delivers what serious sharpeners come to an ultra-fine stone for: a true mirror polish that is fast to achieve and easy to maintain.

• Brand: Shapton
• Origin: Made in Japan
• Series: GlassStone
• Grit: 16000
• Particle Size: 0.92 micron
• Use: Splash and Go (no soaking required after first use)
• Construction: Abrasive bonded to tempered glass
• Stone Dimensions: 210 x 70 x 11 mm (8.25 x 2.75 x 0.44 in)
• Usable Abrasive Thickness: 5 mm
• Weight: 14 oz (400 g)
• Item Number: 50303

Care Instructions: Splash with water before each use - no soaking required after the initial first-use soak. Flatten regularly with a diamond plate to maintain a true surface. Store dry between sessions. Handle with care - the tempered glass backing improves drop resistance considerably over standard ceramic stones but is not indestructible. Spots or color variation on the surface are normal and do not affect performance.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​