Printable View
I am curious:
Is there anyone who has used both sides of the SG 20k and noticed any difference in performance of each side?
I just received mine last week and did some honing on it this past weekend. Mine is a 3rd generation stone and I have only used the bottom side so far.
I am not opposed to using the stamped side if there is proof that it performs better. It just took so long to lap one side, I'd hate to have to do it again if it is not needed. :banghead:
If the stone is made up of homogeneous material, I don't see why there would be a difference.
I would imagine they are the same, that the material goes all the way thru homogeneously.
I don't know though, mine came on a rubber base, and there it shall remain;)
My thoughts are the same, however, I have read several threads talking about how their has been some inconsistencies (discoloration, performance, etc.) between the stamped and base sides. I believe I read somewhere that Stu recommended using the stamped side on the 1st and 2nd generation stones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
So far I have only honed 6 razors on it, but the results have been fantastic. Makes me wish I could make my hair grow back so that I could shave test more than 1-2 razors at a time.
Yeah, that stone is something else.Quote:
Originally Posted by sdj1214
Possibly the very finest finisher I have ever played around with
All this type of talk is what led me to order mine. It arrived Friday and I will take her on her maiden voyage tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
Received mine a few days ago...it did not require a lot of lapping but I chose the stamped side. I did not see the stamp as something to revere like the Jnats...this thing is a worker bee, a leaf cutting ant, and wonderful. I wanted to find a good size Escher but was priced out of that market and wanted something just beyond my 12k Naniwa. This stone has feedback and really turns your crank when you see swarf on a 20K hone after a few strokes....I wish I could afford naturals of this quality.....I really like this hone and Stuart is the archetype of an old fashioned vendor, personal, professional, and knowledgeable.
After seeing and testing the results from Bill's 20K at our recent meetup I ordered one 2 weeks ago but you guy's must have got the last of them for now :cry: Mine will ship when the supplier gets a new batch to Stewart. Apparently this stone is in great demand.
WW243 and coach - just curious when you ordered yours?
I have two 20K's at my house right now before I send one back to the owner. Having two in hand, I can say that they are VERY consistent. I have had two yg eschers in hand and immediately could tell the difference in them, not so on the 20K. I've got only 20 razors "experience" on the 20K so far, but I do have to say it's a top notch finisher. You can overhone on it though...but it was an effort to literally try and do it. It will not replace a few of my precious finishers, but it has a permanent home alongside my finishers & makes it to the "top 3" at my home.
Mmmmokay...
Based on this feedback I will not worry about using the bottom side of the SG 20k. I guess until someone can prove the stamped side produces better results, I will leave my stamp :rock:
Ten years out, after they aren't making any more ........ we'll see them on ebay, or in the classifieds. Suehiro gokomyo ...... $500 ....... with stamp ......... Said to be a Suehiro Gokomyo ..... but the stamp is gone so I can't guarantee it ....... best offer ....... :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by sdj1214
It took awhile. I don't think you could pin it down really. My understanding is that Stuart has to order in a fairly large quantity. What if you ordered 15k worth of stones and suddenly the next new thing pops up and everyone runs to the other side of the ship?Quote:
Originally Posted by GC7
I guess I need to go buy some more nail polish... :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Thanks - I was not complaining at all. I realize he has a small business and I'm in no rush. Just curious. They are apparently selling quite well and I'm looking forward to getting mine. In the mean time my razor's were all honed and tuned up and shaving great for now.Quote:
Originally Posted by WW243
I don't know if anyone thinks this is weird or has had a similar experience but I have more feedback off the 30K SG than my Naniwa 12K. A final word on the inscription, it is in English not beautiful Japanese Kanji (?)Quote:
Originally Posted by GC7
I wasn't attempting to preserve the stamp for its aesthetics. My attempt was to make it identifiable to possibly my grandkids or great grandkids if they were to end up with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by WW243
I ordered mine 2/25Quote:
Originally Posted by GC7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
Yeah. Hmmm... Got people googling this succer as we speak, guys. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by coachmike
Is this place the only place to get them? http://www.toolsfromjapan.com/store/...=shopping_cart
That is where I got mine. There is a possibility that Deiter's Fine Tools in Germany might carry them. His is a pretty complete website for waterstones, but I haven't checked myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Siguy
I got mine from Dieter.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
It's been about 2 years since I bought it though, so who knows
Favorite 2 sides! I always lap one side of the stone also, I don't use it much but sometimes a warped blade can be accessed easier on the side of the stone. And shipping is a few weeks at least. Recently got the 10k and was 3 weeks or so. I also have the 15k.
Not to get off topic here, but I just wanted to comment on everyones feedback of this stone.
This stone truly is remarkable. I am by no means am I a pro honer (I only hone the razors I use), but this stone just gave my confidence level a huge boost. I was getting satisfying shaves off of my escher, coticule and naniwa 12k SS, but nowhere near some of the pro honed razors I own. Now, it is hard to tell the difference between my edges coming off of the SG 20k and my pro honeds (Not all, but seriously damn close). I would literally spend hours trying to get a good to great shave off of my coticule/escher to basically 20 minutes with the SG 20k for an even better shave. This stone is easy, has great feedback and most importantly it's just damn fun to hone on. Kudos to the Suehiro Gokumyo 20k. :chapeau
Now back to the original topic at hand.... :OT
It is a great stone, I agree, but there is nothing mystical or magical about it. It doesn't do any honing for you or make up for poor prep, sp please don't imagine that by buying one you will become a better honer overnight - aint gonna happen!
If your technique is good than you should get a great edge from any finishing stone once you get a feel for its characteristics. If your edge is not quite there than no finishing stone, the SG20k included, is going to make up for that.
In short, in the hands of someone who knows what he is doing it is a marvelous tool. In the hands of anyone else it is a bit of man-made rock.
Regarding the OP, I only use one side. With a set of Atoma plates it is easy to lap the hone to readiness, and I find no point in lapping both sides, especially as differential movement affects this stone a bit, like it does the higher grit choseras and shaptons, and super stones. No point in leaving something lapped if there is no guarantee that it is not going to be as flat as when you lapped it when you do come to use it. For this reason I always lap before honing and not afterwards.
As for the markings - sheesh, its just a tool, who cares whats written on it?! :)
Regards,
Neil
It is synthetic , should be uniform
To be fair, being synthetic is no guarantee of uniformity in a hone. We all know of synthetics that have to have the bejasus lapped out of the top of them to get down past the shiny 'laitance' layer...
Regards,
Neil
I have never had issues with any synthetic, but in general I agree there is no perfect in this world.Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
The slurry stone they give you works great in cleaning swarf. I also use a kiita tomo for this as well. As was said if your 12k or whatever edge preceding the sg is worthy, it will take it that much more.