Thread: Current opinions on Zulu Grey and Suehiro 20k? Shapton 30k?

Originally Posted by jgjgjg

There are some older threads on Zulu Grey, Suehiro 20k, and shapton 30k. I'd like a refresh.

Can the current users please report? Compare and contrast to other stones especially appreciated.

By the grace of God, I have both! One is a natural, the Zulu, and the Suehiro 20k is Syntetic.

I like them both, but if I could have one only, it will be a hard decision, but I would have to say the Suehiro.

The Suehiro benefit most from a prefinisher like a Naniwa 12k or Shapton glass 16K. The Zulu does benefit also, but it can go from the 8k to the Zulu with very good success also.

They both give good shaves and the edges feel smooth. They have different feel on the face but I like them both. The edges properly finished on the Suehiro 20k are sharper and remove more hair per passes than the edges on the Zulu. A very good edge on the Suehiro 20k can remove 97-98% of my hairs in two passes and the best edges on the Zulu could remove maybe 94-96% of my hairs with the same passes. Both would give me 100% BBS with very little to no irritation.

The reason I would choose the Suehiro is because it's consistency ( like most good synthetics stones) it's easier to get a good edge consistently than with the Zulu. No matter what steel, if the edge is good out of the 16k, 12-16 passes is all you need for an awesome shave.

However. The Zulu has value. I use many more passes (175) and may have to tweak the edge on the Zulu more than on the Suehiro, but both give me close and comfortable shaves. The Zulu close to half price over the Suehiro.

Double O

+1 Double O.

I normally go from my Shapton 16k to the Suehiro 20k. It does benefit from a pre finisher....

The Zulu gave me really smooth feeling edges. But if you like an edge where hair separates at the mere sight if the razor, the Suehiro will get you there fast. I had mixed results with the Zulu. Sometimes I got a great edge, other times not so much. The one thing that made the Zulu harder to figure out was the fact that it cut so slowly. You never knew if you were maxed out on it or in need of more work. The Suehiro gives great results after 20 or 30 laps…..but the edge is different. In the end, I found that I simply preferred the edges from the two little Jnats that I have over the Zulu. I use them or the Suehiro to finish now. The small Jnats that I have can be difficult to use with blades that have a smile or that require rolling x strokes. So I have the Suehiro for anything that makes the Jnat’s job difficult. But you have to decide what kind of edge you prefer. The Suehiro edge will never require pastes or sprays. If you go that route, you’ll never need those again. But you may prefer a different edge that only a natural can deliver and the Zulu may agree with you more than a synthetic. If you have the time to invest, send two similar razors to someone who has both. Have them finish them on each and see how you like them. But nothing makes the job easier than the Suehiro. Whether it’s the best option for you is debatable but I doubt you will dislike it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I like the Suehiro 20k very much. Used on an already shave ready razor it enhances the edge/feel perceptibly. I've never had a Zulu so I cannot comment on that. I did have a Shapton Pro 30k but sold it a few years back. At that time I had the Shapton Pro set from 1k to 30k but found, at the level of honing skills I then had, I probably did not appreciate the 30k and rarely used it. The 15k seemed to be enough.

I don't know if I would feel the same now. The only finisher I can compare to the Suehiro is the yellow green Escher and I find that I use it most of the time. I am not saying it is "better", rather that I've become accustomed to the feel of the edges off of the Escher and prefer them to any other stone I've tried. As in all things wet shaving ....... YMMV.

Jimmy,
If you want to try a ZG, PM me your address & I will ship it out. I'm still hung up on my old faithful escher after 16K & hardly use it any more.

Where can you get the Suehiro 20k from?

Originally Posted by clamup1

Where can you get the Suehiro 20k from?

Search Results : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.

Howard

Enough with the Suehiro talk - I'm only human!! Am I going to have to bury my credit card (again)?!

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Jimmy,
If you want to try a ZG, PM me your address & I will ship it out. I'm still hung up on my old faithful escher after 16K & hardly use it any more.

I do appreciate the offer, thank you very much, but if I did like it that would mean I'd have to get one so I'd rather just be satisfied with what I've got and put the $ into something sensible, like another rifle .........

or ammo

Not sure if the underlying thread here so far is really obvious

JimmyHAD - "Used on an already shave ready razor it enhances the edge/feel perceptibly."

Ace - "and be good to go after the 12K Naniwa"

Shooter - "Very few razors can handle that stone & fewer people even will know what I am talking about with that statement"

Geezer - "As always, steel, hone, water, and hand make the complete honing process"

Double0 - "The Suehiro benefit most from a prefinisher like a Naniwa 12k or Shapton glass 16K. The Zulu does benefit also, but it can go from the 8k to the Zulu with very good success also"

Zib - "I normally go from my Shapton 16k to the Suehiro 20k. It does benefit from a pre finisher"

Note that most everyone is explaining how they get to the stage before the finish,