Thread: Suehiro Gokumyo hones 10k, 15k, 20k. Update.

No mention of how bad the 20K smells??

I started with the 1K and 3/8K and for a finisher I used the 12K all naniwa SS. these hones gave me a great shave I thought. Now I don't have the micro scopes like some I just use a jewelers loop so I can't see the very small scratch patterns any stone leaves. I was visiting a friend who introduced me to the Suehiro 20K or should I say hooked me with the Suehiro 20K. once I saw and felt the difference in the shave that was all it took for me . the shave felt far better with the 20K. When I combined the ease of honing with the naniwa stones and also the 20 it made honing a lot better for me. others will and have had different experience's with these hones but I still believe they are the easiest hones to use. I now use the 1-3-5-8-12l naniwa SS hones whether I need the 3 or the 5 I don't know I just like the progression.

Originally Posted by Aldwyn

No mention of how bad the 20K smells??

Ummm, no.......
I never noticed any particular smell coming off of the 20k.

I agree Oz, it is what 'progression' is all about. A visible to the eye 'significant' scratch left by a 20k hone, is IMHO curious to say the least.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Ummm, no.......
I never noticed any particular smell coming off of the 20k.

When I first took mine out of the shrink wrap, the whole room stank of what smelled like strong nail polish remover. It still smells that way, just not as strong.

Granted, I have only had the stone a few days, and perhaps that smell will go away altogether eventually.

I am assuming it's a bonding agent that holds all the particles of the stone together. It smells akin to the stuff dentist sometimes use to seal fillings.

Also, if I might add, I was impressed that the stone comes with it's edges and corners already rounded off. A nice little added detail.

I see significant scratches, long lines across bevel. Lines looks like caused by some inclusions. Similar lines are typical signs of honig on some CF stones. Lines are visible only under a certain angle. Space between scratches is very shiny. Pressure is very small, like on very hard Ozuku asagi (source Hokuto).

I lapped the stone twice. First time up to 1k (FEPA P) aloxite waterproof sandpaper. Second time only by Atoma #400. But even after lapping by Atoma plate, the results did not improve. So this is not inclusion from sand paper.

I used only back side of stone (side without printing), maybe this is problem. I did not use supplied cleaning stone.

I'll make another attempt on the other side of the stone.

Originally Posted by Aldwyn

...like strong nail polish remover.

Nail polish remover smells like acetone often. No smell coming off my 20k Gokumyo.

I agree with Utopian. No smell. Not on any of the series.

I'd send an email to your retailer. I leave the side with writing alone, never , ever seen any, scratching the type you describe even under magnification. I'd get it looked at because it's not been mentioned before in this way that I'm aware of. I also use exclusively the Atoma
#400 for the lapping of the Suehiro Gokumyo 10k, 15k, 20k with no issues arising.
Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by bobski

I agree with Utopian. No smell. Not on any of the series.

Originally Posted by atercz

Nail polish remover smells like acetone often. No smell coming off my 20k Gokumyo.

*Sigh* I must be "lucky" with mine.