Thread: SG20K or Zulu Gray?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Bill, when Lynn discovered the SG 20K he told me I'd sell my Eschers if I bought one. I was sceptical, but I had 4 Eschers then, and only have 1 now ...... so the two of those will have to wait for the estate sale after I'm gone.

Love estate sales,shapening stone $6,00 obo

I don't have an SG 20, but will get one maybe next year.

As far as the statement that a Zulu , ",,, works best with a slurry." I can't run with that one...
Slurry on any stone is not an "automatic", it depends on the individual razor & the progression route that you take to get to the Zulu.

My vote is for the sg 20k. Spray and go will rarely need lapping and done in about 10 laps. Quick and easy. No slurry or dilution no learning curve and no fuss. Im my opinion a fantastic edge

I have them both. I use the 20K regularly, the ZG among others has been just sitting...well worth your $

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I have them both. I use the 20K regularly, the ZG among others has been just sitting...well worth your $

Yep. My naturals have been napping ever since I got mine over a year ago. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

If I were you, I'd get the Gokumyo. I've had my share of bad luck with the Zulu, and other naturals. With the man made, you can be sure you are getting what you paid for.

Had a couple of Zulu Grey's - didn't like them.

Have the SG20k - don't like the price.

With regards to the SG20k, at five months in I don't think you have to or need to spend that much money - stay with synthetics at around the 15k - 16k mark and you will save a lot of money, but I don't think you even need one of those two if you are good enough at using your SS 12k, which is a wonderful hone in its own right.

That is just my humble opinion though, and it is not shared by many people who idolise this stone (a hangover from when it was new, IMHO, like you get when ever a new or previously unheard of 'wonder hone' hits the market).

Regarding prices, a straight conversion from japanese yen to dollars:

SG20k - $224
SGS 16k - $81
SGS 30k - $215

If you have the cash then no problem - go for the SG20k - just remember though, if your edge is not perfect on your penultimate stone it won't be after the SG20k either.

Despite what people say about it, the SG20k is not magic, it does not improve your honing skills and it works better with some steels than others - some steels produce a bevel which gets too fragile with high grit stones like this, so you have to drop back to a lower grit hone, which happens surprisingly often if you hone enough razors

Regards,
Neil

Had a ZG and gave it away for the good of mankind. I would add that there is a hidden cost to the SG20K: An Atoma 400 for lapping or more patience than I have on a worn DMT 325. I like the tactile experience of the SG and the fact that I can see the black swarf on the white surface...one of life's simple pleasures like listening to a mockingbird sing or a helicopter seed spinning to the ground.

Thanks, gentlemen! Much food for thought, and I appreciate you sharing your experiences!

And Jimmy, I am sorry this thread turned into wishful thinking for your timely demise! Perhaps if you dont sell those stone, honing will be the death of you yet!

I liked what Neil said. Although I don't have either it makes perfect sense to me. That's a huge jump in $$