Thread: Suehiro Gokomyu 20K Waterstone

Hello everyone!

I got HAD once again, after some years of not buying any hones. This time I bought a Chosera 10k, and a Gok 20k, this way I have a full chosera progression: 400-1000-5000-10000 and the Gok to finish.

I have been playing with this combination for a few days now, and I thought that I should share my findings. First off the 10k Chosera is the best synth 8k+ hone of those I have owned (Shapton 12k pro, 16k glass, Nani SS 10k, 12k, Sigma 13k), and I am really happy with it so far. After the 10k Cho you need really few laps on the 20k Gok to remove the scratches. The progress is so natural and easy, that it feels like the Gok is part of the Chosera progression. Some people said that I would need the 15k Gok in between, but it is totally unneccessary. This stone is so darn fast, that I was amazed how fast it polished up a bevel with light finishing strokes.

The initial lapping was slow, but the stone doesn't warp (which I hated in the nanis), and really needs only a spray of water before use.
And the edge it leaves, wowza. Easiest "Jnat level" edge of all times, for me at least It was on par with the best Jnat edges I could achieve (sub 300$ Jnats), much faster, and much more consistent. I am sure that this edge isn't the best there is, but I am sure that there are really few stones under this price range which can perform better than this one.

The shaves from this stone were really sharp and smooth from the first try, and it was really easy to dial the edges in, no pastes were used. I am really happy with this purchase, maybe only my 1k and 5k Choseras were the only stones which worked this well from the first try. Best synthetic edge so far I have tried.

I won't stop trying out japanese naturals, because they are fun to use, are beautiful, and have their own soul. But it will be hard to find something that comes close to this one in the ease of use, speed, and final edge sharpness, smoothness.

Originally Posted by jeness

Hello everyone!

I got HAD once again, after some years of not buying any hones. This time I bought a Chosera 10k, and a Gok 20k, this way I have a full chosera progression: 400-1000-5000-10000 and the Gok to finish.

I have been playing with this combination for a few days now, and I thought that I should share my findings. First off the 10k Chosera is the best synth 8k+ hone of those I have owned (Shapton 12k pro, 16k glass, Nani SS 10k, 12k, Sigma 13k), and I am really happy with it so far. After the 10k Cho you need really few laps on the 20k Gok to remove the scratches. The progress is so natural and easy, that it feels like the Gok is part of the Chosera progression. Some people said that I would need the 15k Gok in between, but it is totally unneccessary. This stone is so darn fast, that I was amazed how fast it polished up a bevel with light finishing strokes.

The initial lapping was slow, but the stone doesn't warp (which I hated in the nanis), and really needs only a spray of water before use.
And the edge it leaves, wowza. Easiest "Jnat level" edge of all times, for me at least It was on par with the best Jnat edges I could achieve (sub 300$ Jnats), much faster, and much more consistent. I am sure that this edge isn't the best there is, but I am sure that there are really few stones under this price range which can perform better than this one.

The shaves from this stone were really sharp and smooth from the first try, and it was really easy to dial the edges in, no pastes were used. I am really happy with this purchase, maybe only my 1k and 5k Choseras were the only stones which worked this well from the first try. Best synthetic edge so far I have tried.

I won't stop trying out japanese naturals, because they are fun to use, are beautiful, and have their own soul. But it will be hard to find something that comes close to this one in the ease of use, speed, and final edge sharpness, smoothness.

Totally agree on all points, but the 10k Chosera since I do not have it yet.

I use the traditional Naniwa 1k for bevel setting, Naniwa 5k and 12k then go to the Suehiro 20k. I watched Lynn use this progression and found it works quickly and puts a great edge on razors with minimal effort. However, I've been using either my Escher or Ark Surgical Black for an edge that is very sharp and making it smooth. It just takes the bite out of the edge and makes it comfortable.

Generalisations, as to the best stone for razor bevel settings,in most cases lead us to the Chocera 1k. The populist views uphold that, and without fear of contradiction. The most economical and effective method of making an edge, the combining of a bevel into an edge comes via that stone. As to the new naniwa 'Traditional' stone, well it's a 1k stone. I'm listening with great anticipation to the man who says the Chocera 1k is a lesser hone than the 'Traditional 1k' as a bevel setter should put his name to it.

The Naniwa Traditional 1k is not as good of a bevel setter as the Chosera 1k. However, given that it is half the price and still works very well, it is a great option for anyone who wants to save some money and does not need to have the very best. Sometimes, really good is good enough.

Originally Posted by jeness

Hello everyone!

I got HAD once again, after some years of not buying any hones. This time I bought a Chosera 10k, and a Gok 20k, this way I have a full chosera progression: 400-1000-5000-10000 and the Gok to finish.

I have been playing with this combination for a few days now, and I thought that I should share my findings. First off the 10k Chosera is the best synth 8k+ hone of those I have owned (Shapton 12k pro, 16k glass, Nani SS 10k, 12k, Sigma 13k), and I am really happy with it so far. After the 10k Cho you need really few laps on the 20k Gok to remove the scratches. The progress is so natural and easy, that it feels like the Gok is part of the Chosera progression. Some people said that I would need the 15k Gok in between, but it is totally unneccessary. This stone is so darn fast, that I was amazed how fast it polished up a bevel with light finishing strokes.

The initial lapping was slow, but the stone doesn't warp (which I hated in the nanis), and really needs only a spray of water before use.
And the edge it leaves, wowza. Easiest "Jnat level" edge of all times, for me at least It was on par with the best Jnat edges I could achieve (sub 300$ Jnats), much faster, and much more consistent. I am sure that this edge isn't the best there is, but I am sure that there are really few stones under this price range which can perform better than this one.

The shaves from this stone were really sharp and smooth from the first try, and it was really easy to dial the edges in, no pastes were used. I am really happy with this purchase, maybe only my 1k and 5k Choseras were the only stones which worked this well from the first try. Best synthetic edge so far I have tried.

I won't stop trying out japanese naturals, because they are fun to use, are beautiful, and have their own soul. But it will be hard to find something that comes close to this one in the ease of use, speed, and final edge sharpness, smoothness.

lI thought i was getting a great edge with my naniwa SS 12K and didn't need paste or another stone. Then a friend showed me the suehiro 20K and what it could do and i too had to have one. I know you'll never be disappointed with it.

Best few hundred bucks that I have spent on hones. I even honed a 5$ Gold Dollar on it, and it gave me a really nice shave, not to speak about my japanese razors, especially my Tanifuji

Best synthetic money can buy I love mine and as you say an extremely fast cutter considering it's a 20K.

I find an edge that's been tuned up on the 20k even more comfortable that second time around than the first. It's super polished and oh so smooth. I just shaved with an edge that was recently touched up on the 20k. Beautiful shave.

Originally Posted by jeness

Best few hundred bucks that I have spent on hones. I even honed a 5$ Gold Dollar on it, and it gave me a really nice shave, not to speak about my japanese razors, especially my Tanifuji

I picked up a gold dollar that was honed on the Gokomyu 20K, best shave I have had so far and I will own an Gok 20K in the future, a must have if you want to get to the nitty Gritty in short order and yes they are an amazing stone, just short of a miracle.