Thread: Suehiro Gokomyu 20K Waterstone

Technically a prep stone to clean off swarf & not a nagura so just water is all that's needed really.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Technically a prep stone to clean off swarf & not a nagura so just water is all that's needed really.

Thanks Oz,

I took 3 razors that were not dull, just 4 weeks since they saw crox. Reasonable shave with them. Today I went back two stones 8K, then 10k, then 6 strokes on the well lapped 20k. I find it is best to make an assessment the next day, I see it as settling in. Your view? Other than that for members, it's a lovely smooth stone that even at 20k removes a little steel. In the three razors I did, there was a little swarf, by the 12th stoke. Surprising consider it was feather like pressure on all three stones.

So the mythical Suehiro Gokumyo 20,000 grit waterhone (Requires no soaking, just a spray), is as it has claimed a lovely slick surface, for honers who like to think they have got the best edge on the block.simple. I've tried the Shapton 15k, and at a glance the gokumyo looks similar, but is I'm searching for the word,,,the G20is 'creamier', hard, yet usable and comfortable To be fair, I've used it for half an hour, so if anyone here who knows the best way to treat such a stone, please message. Cheers Bob.

Originally Posted by bobski

Thanks Oz,

I took 3 razors that were not dull, just 4 weeks since they saw crox. Reasonable shave with them. Today I went back two stones 8K, then 10k, then 6 strokes on the well lapped 20k. I find it is best to make an assessment the next day, I see it as settling in. Your view? Other than that for members, it's a lovely smooth stone that even at 20k removes a little steel. In the three razors I did, there was a little swarf, by the 12th stoke. Surprising consider it was feather like pressure on all three stones.

So the mythical Suehiro Gokumyo 20,000 grit waterhone (Requires no soaking, just a spray), is as it has claimed a lovely slick surface, for honers who like to think they have got the best edge on the block.simple. I've tried the Shapton 15k, and at a glance the gokumyo looks similar, but is I'm searching for the word,,,the G20is 'creamier', hard, yet usable and comfortable To be fair, I've used it for half an hour, so if anyone here who knows the best way to treat such a stone, please message. Cheers Bob.

The best way... I cannot resist... if the answer is not just use it...
Well, Just send it my way...

I am a fan of maintenance honing. Once a week splash some water on it
and give your razor a light 6-20 strokes and shave test. I would not back off
to 8K or anything... just a gentle visit. Might not need lapping for a year either.

All these modern hones are near magic.... and once the razor is sharp keeping it
shave and strop ready may be easier than old timers think. My 13K is the only
hone if have used on my razors in six months.

Originally Posted by bobski

Thanks Oz,

I took 3 razors that were not dull, just 4 weeks since they saw crox. Reasonable shave with them. Today I went back two stones 8K, then 10k, then 6 strokes on the well lapped 20k. I find it is best to make an assessment the next day, I see it as settling in. Your view? Other than that for members, it's a lovely smooth stone that even at 20k removes a little steel. In the three razors I did, there was a little swarf, by the 12th stoke. Surprising consider it was feather like pressure on all three stones.

So the mythical Suehiro Gokumyo 20,000 grit waterhone (Requires no soaking, just a spray), is as it has claimed a lovely slick surface, for honers who like to think they have got the best edge on the block.simple. I've tried the Shapton 15k, and at a glance the gokumyo looks similar, but is I'm searching for the word,,,the G20is 'creamier', hard, yet usable and comfortable To be fair, I've used it for half an hour, so if anyone here who knows the best way to treat such a stone, please message. Cheers Bob.

All good Bob.
Not sure what you mean by 'settling in' but a fresh honed razor is ready to shave immediately after it is stropped.
As far as treating the stone goes I treat mine like any stone. Keep it flat & keep it clean. A diamond plate will do it all but the supplied prep stone will help keep it clean if lapping is not needed. Not much else to do really.

I'm reading so many good things about the Gokomyu 20k that i started to think on my next purchase. My SWMBO gonna kill me.

Is it possible to safely cut the hone horizontally to make 2 x 8-10mm thick hones (allowing for some loss of thickness due to the cutting)?

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Is it possible to safely cut the hone horizontally to make 2 x 8-10mm thick hones (allowing for some loss of thickness due to the cutting)?

What ? No volunteers ?

G'day Oz

What I meant by 'Settle in' is in my travels, you tend not to use the same razor day in day out. No doubt like you and many on our forum, have more than a couple of razors, and I find if I leave a razor a couple of days after shaving, then when re-stropped it is in my view a better shave. Similar in my view, after you have honed it, it can feel a little like you would want hone it more, but knowing better, I wait till the next day, when, after honing/crox/oiled, the blade feels slick as.
BUT, dare I say it, I have given many of my razors the honour of being honed by the Suehiro 20k. I don't need to say anything more about it. But back to the settling in. I do think the 'fin' improves after 24 hours after stones. Thanks mate for all your input, this forum is a real treasure for blokes like me, who aren't metallurgists, to hear well researched views is priceless.
Regards Bob

Originally Posted by bobski

I do think the 'fin' improves after 24 hours after stones. Thanks mate for all your input, this forum is a real treasure for blokes like me, who aren't metallurgists, to hear well researched views is priceless.
Regards Bob

Cheers Bob.
No idea how one would research this concept as it would imply using the razor before the 24hours were up to have a comparison but for me if the razor is not shaving optimally after the hones & a strop it just means more work until it does or until I can acquire some elves to do it for me while I sleep .

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Is it possible to safely cut the hone horizontally to make 2 x 8-10mm thick hones (allowing for some loss of thickness due to the cutting)?

You would want to back it with something...
Perhaps Belgian blue slate and yes use an adhesive that is worthy of decades.

I am finding all my 10K and finer hones to be almost interchangeable.
Most importantly they are sufficiently slow that the stack of hones I use before
my finisher is more important.

For me the critical path to an ultra fine hone lives near 8K and my
favorite 8K gateway hone is the "Naniwa Snow White 8k." It
and my 8K shapton glass... Shapton Glass hones are way underappreciated
because they just work.

For maintaining a good shaver these seem to be near equals ....
Chosera 10,000 Grit (dense acts more like 15K or finer)
Naniwa Super Stone 12,000 -- marvelous
Shapton GlassStone 16,000 Grit -- too easy
Sigma Power 13K -- dense and nice.
Pinnacle Honing Film .3 Micron (may be unavailable,best value).