Thread: Zulu discrepancy

Originally Posted by Geezer

...What does yours do with its use on a razor that you can accept some damage?? A loupe would be necessary to find any exceptions to a normal pattern...

Not in my case, Richard - although I can see the damage with a loupe (deep scratchmarks at the site of the damage and small microchips - very small) the 'feel' of my particular hone was horrible - and I have had my fair share of hones!

I don't accept any damage - some might, I don't. If the hone is damaging a series of assorted razors then the hone is a bin-job as far as I am concerned.

Like Jimmy said, they are naturals and each one varies. I would not give a blanket confirmation that they were all bad, nor would I give a blanket confirmation that they are all good. It seems that more people have good experiences with them than bad, and my particular one is bad, that's all I, or anyone else, can say.

I am not looking for a replacement either - I know for a fact that Mike is a gent, but there are enough other factors that put me off using the hone, not just the inclusions.

Regards,
Neil

To add a nuanced complication to this thread. I would say my Zulu is not bad but not an enjoyable hone to use. Actually right now the hone is being tested by someone who truly knows hones and so far the 'feedback' has been very good. Did you ever go into a store and get what you wanted, but the experience was such that you decided to never go into the store again?

Well update.... I carried out the lapathon from 80 grit up to 325. It took quite a while to be sure, but the results were what I wanted. The hones feedback seems normal and is putting on a good edge. I will probably finish my lapping up to 1000 later tonight as honestly my arms are tired. Thanks guys for all the help.

Originally Posted by aa1192

Well update.... I carried out the lapathon from 80 grit up to 325. It took quite a while to be sure, but the results were what I wanted. The hones feedback seems normal and is putting on a good edge. I will probably finish my lapping up to 1000 later tonight as honestly my arms are tired. Thanks guys for all the help.

See how it works at the 325 and shave with it. Do that before going to a higher grit. Originally they were to be lapped to about 400 grit and used. The site now does not give that information.
~Richard

The finish seems good enough off a DMT 325 to me.

Bob

Well that is gonna save me some time! Thanks guys! Now does anyone have a tip for honer's shoulder?

Switch arms,,,,

My ZG is only lapped to 325, and I'm happy with the results, so0 I agree with others here give it a shot. I have another one that is lapped to about 1200 but I have not messed with it yet to see the difference

I have one side laped to 400 the other to 1500 wet/dry sand paper dry. The 1500 side gives a very sleek surface that skips some times with water. If the skipping gets bad, I use smith honing solution, and that solves the problem for the most part. Or re finish with the 1500 wet/dry after a good refreshing with the Atoma 1200, let hone dry and then lightly finish with the sand paper. That seem to reduce the skip again. Doing 20-30 on this side seems to give a sharper edge IMHO.

Double O