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

Suehiro Gokumyo series, 10k, 15k, 20k. Update from six months of use.

Gents, much has been said and written about, in particular, the 20k waterstone, and most agree it holds a place atop the ladder for synthetic 'finishing' stones. Suehiro Gokumyo were a series involving, a light blue 10k with rubber base with an unusual cleaning stone of sorts at 400 grit. This was more a cleaner of scum that had accumulated during honing and is not any type of nagura or slurry creating stone, in fact the entire series were not stones that used any slurry at all. The 10k was a very smooth, yet aggressive cutting stone, that was more 'spray and go' not requiring any soaking, drinking very little water at all. Like most higher grit stones, pressure is your enemy, but you don't need to be overly worried about using a fair few strokes. In reality, the 15k stone in this series, one could easily go without and head straight to the 20k. I, for the sake of completeness and curiosity acquired all three and I used the 'army light green' coloured 15k very lightly, but it's purpose was genuine.

IMHO, the white 20K Suehiro Gokumyo, has a genuine dual purpose. As the final stone in your honing regimen, it is lovely, and can say in reality that Chromium Oxide strops don't add a lot to it's finish. In addition, as a 'touch up' stone for razors that have sort of just come off the boil so to speak is terrific at restoring it to prior excellence. As an excellent example of this series taking honing to another level, I just finished a razor that was sent to me by a friend who had a tough time getting anywhere with it, a Dovo Grenadille 6/8 stainless full hollow. It arrived over-honed and un-even along portions of the edge. In any event, I started with a Naniwa SS 8k with slurry and tape, progressing then through the Suehiro's, and over a couple of sessions, and final persistence with the 20k, the thing popped sharp, and is now a razor that I look forward to using.

Just to conclude, it is noteworthy that when first using this series of stones, they are a little different to other similar stones, if only, due to the steel they remove despite their grit rating. But, once you get the feel of them you will find people get sick of you telling them how good they are. Put simply fellas, these are nice hones to use and give predictable performance over the range. As I said, in most cases, the 15k is probably not essential, but it's still a great stone, and I enjoyed the whole series. There is a video of hibudgl (Sham) on U tube demonstrating the 20k. He is well known to most as highly accomplished, and that video shows the power of the 20k. I guess, the best description of these hones, is 'measurable'. They perform consistently well over the range and take synthetic hones to a different level. The only thing that people say is that they are expensive. No argument, but in my view they are well worth it. Their durability is incredible. I have not detected any dishing on any stone. Not a bit, and I use feeler gauges and stainless steel straight edges to measure.

So if you want to give them a go, they are terrific.

Cheers Bob

Great review of the stones, looks like these are very consistent and measurable....
Thats why i stay on naturals ;-) just because iam a natural stone guy....

But however they seems to be the best available synthethic stones at the moment....and iam sure many people do enjoy and will enjoy them in future....

Speaking of durability, the leaflet that comes with the 20k suggests the 1000/3000 rubbing stone is mainly for maintenance. However, given it's a hard stone, has anyone ever generated 1k slurry and tried setting a bevel/using it as a one stone hone?

I have had all three for about 3 years. Transitioning from my usual Naniwa SuperStone or Shapton GlassStone progression to these makes me feel better, but that's about all.

I can go from the Naniwa SuperStone 12k to the Gokumyo 20k and all is fine.
I can go from the Shapton GlassStone 10k or 16k to the Gokumyo 20k and all is fine.

Slipping in the Gokumyo 10k and/or 15k doesn't really seem to improve anything, it just makes me feel better about buying them.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I have had all three for about 3 years. Transitioning from my usual Naniwa SuperStone or Shapton GlassStone progression to these makes me feel better, but that's about all.

I can go from the Naniwa SuperStone 12k to the Gokumyo 20k and all is fine.
I can go from the Shapton GlassStone 10k or 16k to the Gokumyo 20k and all is fine.

Slipping in the Gokumyo 10k and/or 15k doesn't really seem to improve anything, it just makes me feel better about buying them.

That is my plan someday but them darn 20k's are pretty expensive so it will have to wait and I will have to try to get the best finish I can off the 12k or Coticule.

Originally Posted by SirMike

I will have to try to get the best finish I can off the 12k or Coticule.

And THAT is all that you need to do!

Seriously, a 12k SuperStone or a coticule used correctly can give you a fantastic shave! The difference between the edge off of either of these hones and a Gokumyo 20k is about $200. Now just see if you can feel that $200 on your face.

(disclaimer: The 20k CAN improve the edge, but in reality it is a minor improvement. Get the d@mn bevel set properly and the odds are good that anything else that you do with the edge after that will give you at least a decent shave.)

Great responses gentlemen. I found the Suehiro's a challenge. I gained great results from them. Glass half full? It's a personal decision and it's great to consider the possibility of a one stone hone, good luck trying to work up a slurry though! But if you are a beginner, I'd heed Utopian's advice, there are easier and cheaper ways of getting most razors ready for a shave. For me, If there was a refund on offer, I'd politely decline......
Enjoy your shaves guys.

Great review! I've been looking at the 20k as a possible future finisher. First I just need to get comfortable enough with the stones I have (Naniwa SS 1k, 5k, 8k and 12k) to be able to even feel a difference with a 20k. So maybe next year. Haha. But it's always fun to check out what's available.

Originally Posted by bobski

For me, If there was a refund on offer, I'd politely decline......

So would I!!!

But then again, that would apply to all of my hones, except for TWO.

I think your pretty well right with the Naniwa hones you have. I'd wait till you are comfortable and proficient with the naniwa's before anything else. If and when you want to add the Suehiro, you could easily make the jump straight to the 20k from that 12k Naniwa, which on it's own can give a great shave.