Thread: SG20K or Zulu Gray?

I may not be a veteran but I have both of these hones and my vote goes to the SG20k. I have been able to produce fantastic edges more consistently with this hone going from a Naniwa 12k SS. Oh and it took a fraction of the time. 10-20 laps from the SG20k as opposed to 100-200 on the ZG maybe more depending on whether you slurry or not.

As for lapping, my experience was the same with both stones. They are both a pain in the ass to lap.

I bought a Zulu but haven't tried it. Honestly if your asking the question then in your mind you are probably looking for the adventure of a new stone. I am the same way. Do you need it? No. Do we want it yes. I get fantastic edges well before ever touching a 12 know . 12 k or so give the cherry on top. So my 2 cents is go by what you can afford. You will always be curious oF the other stone till you get to use one. Let us know which you get.

I have had my 20k for several months, and had issues with inconsistant edges. I had to lap a lot off the stone to flatten and smooth a low spot in the middle with a 140 grit plate and finish with a 300. It is a very hard stone and took a lot of lapping.

Yes, the stone can produce a good edge consistently, on a properly prepped (shave ready) edge, but too much is definitely too much, there is narrow sweet spot.

But, it is not much better than a good 12k Super Stone and a Chrome Ox stropped edge and really not, that much better, than a good 12K and properly stropped leather edge.

There is a lot of hype on the 20K stone and really you don’t need it. Chrome Oxide, Cerium or CBN will get the same results or pretty darn close for a lot less money.

You guys are making this tougher!

I am going to follow OCD's advice, and send off a razor to have honed on a G20 for a comparison (thanks, Frank!).

BTW, though I've never had a zulu gray ........ I'd still say that comparing the SG20 to a zulu is tantamount to comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagen. YMMV ..........

Never had issues with consistency with the 20k. Zulugray is natural and as such there will be variations in properties. I had two of them and they were not very consistent for me.

My synthetics stop at 12k Nani. When I ordered my Zulu I told Micheal what I was doing and what I wanted. The 12k put a very sharp edge on my Ducks but left them feeling a little harsh. The Zulu smoothed it all out perfect. And it has worked out with all my other razors too.
Now when it comes to using it and keeping it finishing the way I want, that took me awhile to figure out. You don't need slurry to accomplish what I use it for. I tried the small card to get slurry and then bought a DMT 1200 to make it easier and clean it up after I put some scratches in it I didn't like.
I use it just wet and at about 100 laps it's done it's job for me. When the razors started to stick I used to lap it with the DMT but found the Zulu slurry stone is great for taking the sticky spots out of it. Now I use the little stone frequently just to clean the surface which keeps the blade moving nice and smooth. Shows up in the shave.

That's just the sweet spot that works for me :<0) And of course none of it matters if the foundation isn't set properly.

Had a Zulu and dispatched it for what I paid for it..

Never used the SG20 so I can't speak to that experience, but it sure is a lot of coin.

Not looking to confuse things on you, but how about a simple Apache Strata?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

BTW, though I've never had a zulu gray ........ I'd still say that comparing the SG20 to a zulu is tantamount to comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagen. YMMV ..........

In high school I had a VA Beetle, yellow,,, when the parking lot at the E&P would flood,, it would fill with stalled, flooded vehicles who unknowingly drove into it. I would drive into the the lot with the Beetle & float across to the other side as my buddy Beaver would hold a toy fishing rod out the passenger window. So long as you kept your foot on the gas, it would not pull water up the exhaust.

Never saw a Ferrari do that,,,

I can't imagine you'd find too many Ferrari owners who would want them to either! Haha.