Thread: 20K water stones

Just a quick question. other than the Gokumyo 20K stone for finishing are there any 20K stones similar that one could afford. I wouild like to have a good finishing stone but 300 is just out of my range.

What stones you have?

There are three 0.5 micron stones that I can think of, two shaptons (pro and glasstone) and the gokumyo. Each is a little different, I guess.

The closest thing that isn't expensive is the sigma power 13k, which is a bit different in feel than the shaptons (haven't used the gok, but I hear it's unyieldingly hard, which may allow it to break in and work a little finer than its particle size suggests). The SP 13k is a little softer, but it's 0.73 micron or thereabouts, uniformly fine and easy to use. I think the one without a base is a hundred bucks or less.

If you follow any of those with a loaded stop, you'd never know the difference between any of them, they are a luxury, but not a necessity.

Right now I have the 1K 3/8K 12K naniwa SS. I can shave off the 12K but I have two of my blades that was finished with the 20K gokumyo and those two razors are quite a bit better that the ones finished off the 12K. I rarely use the loaded strop . before shaving I will do 40-50 rounds with the English leather strop and as said I get a ok shave. I guess I was hoping there was another company out there that had one the same or close to the Gokumyo. looks like i'll have to save my penny's and get one.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I guess I was hoping there was another company out there that had one the same or close to the Gokumyo. looks like i'll have to save my penny's and get one.

I have one and besides it being expense, i find it was worth the money. That said, opinions will vary because of the cost. ie. is the improvement worth the money. Again to me it was but i will add a disclaimer: MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET YOUR RAZOR TO A COMFORTABLE SHAVE BEFORE GOING TO THE 20K!!!!!!!!!!!! This stone will only show you an improvement IF you are truly shave ready when going to it. Practice away on your stones while you save up for it. That way you won't be disappointed and will really appreciate what it does.

Just my.02

.5/.3 micron paste on paddle strop or balsa strop.

Originally Posted by rhensley

Just a quick question. other than the Gokumyo 20K stone for finishing are there any 20K stones similar that one could afford. I wouild like to have a good finishing stone but 300 is just out of my range.

I am not aware of any other 20k hones, and really this one works just perfect.
As said above the razor has to be honed properly to get the benefit of the Suehiro.

Originally Posted by coachmike

I have one and besides it being expense, i find it was worth the money. That said, opinions will vary because of the cost. ie. is the improvement worth the money. Again to me it was but i will add a disclaimer: MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET YOUR RAZOR TO A COMFORTABLE SHAVE BEFORE GOING TO THE 20K!!!!!!!!!!!! This stone will only show you an improvement IF you are truly shave ready when going to it. Practice away on your stones while you save up for it. That way you won't be disappointed and will really appreciate what it does.

Just my.02

So if you're getting a comfortable shave BEFORE the 20K, what does the 20K give you? Please pardon my ignorance, as I'm still new at this honing thing. Thanks!

The suegiro 20k really picks up where the nani 12 leaves off. If the edge off the 12k is worthy, then the 20k will take it one step further. There are various natural stones that with practice can do what you need to do and with smoother imo results than the suehiro. But they are not a cake walk, it will require time and expense as you will spend as much if not more on the jnat and naguras than the suehiro.

The 20k will give you a better, smoother shave. More comfortable, in my opinion. In order to give you that you need to have the razor "ready" for that stone. It will take that edge to a higher level. I've tried a finished razor off other stones(zulu grey, jnats,and the grey slate everyone seems to love) and get great shaves off those edges. I then have taken those razors to the 20k and get a better, smoother feel on my skin. At the end it's all a matter of what works for you and what you like, but you have to understand it is NOT a magical stone. It has needs and those are good edges to work with. It removes very little steel so it can't improve an edge that needs to be prepped by other stones first. No short cuts here.