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

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.

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.

Thanks for the reply. What other stones have you really liked in the past?

Originally Posted by jgjgjg

Thanks for the reply. What other stones have you really liked in the past?

Well I really like the Norton 4k/8k single grits that I've had for many moons. I'm liking the Chosera 1,3,5 and 10k, and they threaten to keep the Nortons in the cabinet. I've had the Naniwa super stones, the Shapton pros, a variety of naturals.

There are some coticules that I like, and others not so much. I've only had one J-nat, a Nakayama Asagi that come from So Yamashita, and was an excellent stone at a medium price point.

I've had a number of Eschers come and go, some stayed, and I never met one of those I didn't like. Some of the stones, particularly naturals, make me wonder, when I'm not getting the results I'm after, is it me or the stone ?

I have a Blue/Green Escher and a Zulu Grey. Since I purchased the Gokumyo 20K, those two stones haven't even seen water. I can do 10-20 laps on the Gokumyo and be good to go after the 12K Naniwa. The Zulu Grey seemed to take forever and with little result. The Escher was very nice, and probably as good as the Gokumyo, but the big Gokumyo is a treat to use.

I have had the ZG & 30K and have to say that from what I know I would recommend the 30K last. I'm a GS junkie and love the system...but sold off my 30K as it got used maybe 5x a year. Very few razors can handle that stone & fewer people even will know what I am talking about with that statement. I have not had the 20K in my hands, so can't make a recommendation between the first two listed.

You guys have to quit talking about the 20K, it's getting too much press for me to not have one!

I have the 30K Pro-version, the 20K Gokumyo and have pkayed around with two ZG's. Imho, the top spot easily belongs to the Suehiro.
Break down and buy it buddy, you will not regret it!

I also use the Shapton GS system up to 16k. I have lot's of different finishers, but since I've picked up the Suehiro G 20k, it's pretty much the only one I use. For me, it's hard to beat that edge.

Sorry Scott!

I use the Zulu often as a finisher. The Zulu is a very slow hone, in my opinion, it is best used with a 320 diamond surface prep as is in the instructions to work at its best. Perhaps, that is to allow a hard hone to not load up as fast with the honing swarf. The Thuringians, in my opinion, cut faster at the higher levels.
I have not tried man mades over 8K other than great barber hones. Some of the ones I have can go up to 15K in a few laps.
As always, steel, hone, water, and hand make the complete honing process.
~Richard

Originally Posted by shooter74743

You guys have to quit talking about the 20K, it's getting too much press for me to not have one!

I too have all three. Full Shapton GS set and that's the only reason I still have the 30k. Haven't given the Zulu much to do, but the Gokumyo 20k is excellent.

@Scott......PM me your address and I'll send you my 20k and you can try it for awhile. I'm currently mesmerized by my Nakayama Maruichi Kitta anyway.

Howard