Time to upgrade: Thuringian or Zulu?

Time to upgrade: Thuringian or Zulu?

I am interested in buying a finishing stone for my routine touchups on razors.

I regularly use my Nortons for honing up to 8k and then the Chinese stone which was proved to be a very nice finishing option and I am very happy with it.

I think now it is time to upgrade my finisher. My new stone will be used mainly for touching-up the razors after 8-10 shavings.

I have read many posts on the hones’ section and I am between choosing the Thuringian or the Zulu grey.
Which one of these would you recommend for fast and quality touchup?

Thank you in advance for helping.

I'd say both could work, providing you got the right specimen.
The Thuringians/Eschers that I have or have had are/were all great finishers.
The Zulu I tested for a few weeks did not impress me all that much.
It wasn't bad, but it sure was no Escher!

So based on my tiny amount of experience on these two types of hones, I'd say go with the Thuringian/Escher.

+1 on what Bjoerner says.

I would only add that your chinese hone is probably in the 10k+ region, and a good, unbranded thuringian is not a lot more than that - 11 - 12k maybe (12k and 12k+ is getting into branded Escher, etc, territory - extremely pricey). It might not be much of a jump, but the edges left by thuringians are noted for being smooth and friendly, also its faster and a bit more user-friendly than the chinese hone.

Regards,
Neil

Thank you very much Birnando!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I would only add that your chinese hone is probably in the 10k+ region, and a good, unbranded thuringian is not a lot more than that - 11 - 12k maybe (12k and 12k+ is getting into branded Escher, etc, territory - extremely pricey).

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And what about the Zulu Neil? Is this around 12K or less?

It is certainly in that range, but I have had a number of samples that have been a bit, well lets say 'iffy' and on account of that I rarely use the Zulu these days. Mainly that means a slight grittiness present in two that made them unpleasant to use. Apart from that, they seem 'metal specific' and not so much an all-rounder as a good thuringian. I also found the Zulu painfully slow - but that is probably just me - as you know I hone commercially so I need something that doesn't take 100s of laps!

Regards,
Neil

Thank you Neil for the answer. Very useful to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Birnando

So based on my tiny amount of experience on these two types of hones, I'd say go with the Thuringian/Escher.

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I think I will Birnando.

I have heard the Gokumyo 20K is a very popular option and might end up costing you a bit less.

Thank you Siguy! But I cannot understand why the price varies so much.

Here you can buy it for about 260$ and here for about 460$.
Is this the same quality stone? :confused:

Yes, they are the same stone! That Gucomoyo is like the Big Green Egg of the BBQ's, it will make you instantly a better honer, that's how I feel since I got it.

I now have 2 Zulus and 4 +1 one the way Turingian/Escher. I would say that the Turingian has a better consistency, as far as getting sharp and smooth than my latest Zulu. I still think that the Zulu has value ( more stone for much less money), but if money is not a problem, then a turi/ Escher would be my choice.

Double O

I always oggle the first link. That's the direction I was sent from some fellow SRPers.

That's where my money would go. You should check out some of the raves about it.

You're not risking the varying qualities of a natural stone, either. You know you're getting the goods.

+1 more with Birnando and Neil...

I am testing a Zulu now ( The 2nd one for me). It seems to be a good example of this stone, and my impression is that it is a lot like the better C12k's of which I have 2. Side by side against a labeled Escher...Not even close IMO, but it should suit your purpose of refreshing a blade well enough, and it is a decent finisher if you are up to doing dozens of laps.

YMMV ....

Thank you Double0757.

If you were in my position, using the Nortons up to 8K and the Chinese finisher, which would be your next choice ? Thuringian or Gucomoyo? Cannot buy both.

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Originally Posted by Slur

Thank you Double0757.

If you were in my position, using the Nortons up to 8K and the Chinese finisher, which would be your next choice ? Thuringian or Gucomoyo? Cannot buy both.

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I love my Eschers, they are truly great finishers.
That said, I'd get the Gokumyo over all of them.
Consistent, fast, exceptional polish, yep, a true winner in my book.

To get a nice big Turingian of a quality that could get close to the finesse of the Gucomoyo, you are talking upwards so $600-$900. Out of the 4 turi/Escher that I have, only one, a 1"X 5" sliver of very light grey turi, can give me an edge that I like better than the edges of the Gucomoyo.

When I first bought the 20k Gucomoyo, I thought it was more suited for people that did commercial honing, since I could get close with that 1" light grey turi I had, plus I had a very good Zulu that I was happy with. But after trying other turi/Escher and Zulu, I see how fortunate I was to have gotten very good naturals I the first try. I read on Zulu, turi (to some extent) and more so in Jnats, that variation is the norm, more than the exception.

Now I would recommend the Goucomoyo with one caveat, and that is that I think you would benefit from an intermediate stone after the 8k. I use my Shapton glass 16k with very good and consistent results. I know that the C12k could be that stone, I just haven't played with one to say. And I don't know if any one has gone from the 8k to the 20k and what type of edge you get. I do know that with slury you could, in theory, close that gap, maybe?

On the other hand, find a 2" label yellow green Escher, and money was no option, that is what I would buy, but I haven't seen them for less than $600.00 on the bay. I have tried going from the 8k to the 2" label dark grey with some slury for an enjoyable shave, however, after this I have used the 1" light turi on water only for an even better and closer shave.

I do get very close and enjoyable shave out of the Gucomoyo, but that's after stoping on the 16 k Shapton glass before I move to the 20k.

Hope this is clear as mud for you! Double O

Order of Consistency, This is simple the only part of this that I feel is quantifiable basically your chance of getting a good stone with the first try

1. Suehiro Gokumyo 20k - Without fail if you do your part the hone is up to the task

2. Labeled Escher - I have only heard of one person ever not being pleased with one, and the guy he sold it to "Cheap" sure was happy :D

3. Vintage Thuringen with a label - These do have a bit more variation then the Escher but are more then capable but you might have to adjust a bit with your honing to get the best from it..

4. Zulu I am on my 4th one in testing them (Extensive not just a couple of razors at a meet) and have not had a bad one, I have not found them to be to MY liking on Sheffield razors but others have..

5. Newer Thuringen, If you can get it from a Razor person or you can hold it in your hand first then you might get a good one, but many have inclusions that are not good for razor honing.


As to quality of the edge, feel, comfort, etc: etc: that is all YMMV just like me saying I don't use the Zulu on a Sheffield, I probably wouldn't use the G20K on one either :) that is personal opinion... For you coming from honing on a C12K the G20K might feel pretty different to you and will take some adjustment in your style..

Concerning, major steps in hone progression, i.e., 12K-20K, I would say that it should be possible to slurry on the 20K to speed up/narrow the gap, then water-only hone on the 20K.

Great post, Glen. I always love it when you use bullet points or numbered points. lol.

I vote shaptons. I'm going to get rid of my Zulu. Just don't use it.