Thread: Gokumyo 20k One Stone Hone Experiment

Recently Bobski was talking about the Gokumyo series:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...0k-update.html

and I posed the question that since the 20k is a hard stone with ceramic binder - and it comes with a 1k/3k rubber, could it be used as a one stone hone.
I am definitely not an adventurous honer, I prefer the simple and safe route of naniwa 1 - 12k followed by a few laps on a natural, but I gave it a try.

Here's what happened: I completely blunted my extra hollow bengall test razor.
Generated a good slurry with the 3k side of the rubbing stone - circles and Xs - bevel set and popping hairs in floating aht all along the edge within 5 minutes.
Diluted as per dilucot and then a final 20 or so with just plain water.
Gave the stone a rub down with the 1k side to clean it up.

It gave a pretty good shave, with the characteristic edge.

Of note, the 1k side of the rubbing stone made a very rough slurry. I used it briefly but didn't like the feel, so tried the 3k. The gok is an aggressive stone and with the 3k it cut a lot of steel fast.
I don't have a microscope, just a simple glass loupe, so I can't see too much detail but it seems to leave some deep scratches on the edge, but still gave a really smooth and sharp shave.

It would be interesting if anyone else wants to give it a go.