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.

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

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