Thread: Zulu Grey

Sarcasm?


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Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

I've been using mine now for just about a year. Absolutely love it! And it's easier to use than you might suspect. Mine is extremely smooth, as most are that I've touched. It will believer a very smooth shave. Basic honing skills should be acquired first. But don't be deterred.

This will blow your mind. Try this, or not: after you get comfortable with the stone, hone on it dry.

Can you give me an idea how you use your? With slurry, if so how heavy of a slurry, how many laps et cetera. I have one I purchased and promptly forgot about when I went in a different direction. I kept his silk vein stone in the kitchen to use with kitchen knives and I really like it for that application.

Originally Posted by dan656

Can you give me an idea how you use your? With slurry, if so how heavy of a slurry, how many laps et cetera. I have one I purchased and promptly forgot about when I went in a different direction. I kept his silk vein stone in the kitchen to use with kitchen knives and I really like it for that application.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to be an expert. I am only a hobbyist.

A Zulu isn't like a Coticule where you raise varying thicknesses of slurry. To me a Zulu is a finishing polishing stone. It is so dense, and heavy, a stone, I find it difficult to raise a slurry. Though a slurry rubbing stone is usually provided. When I have taken a razor through a finishing Coticule or Arkansas Translucent, I will then employ the Zulu. Lately I have been using it dry for touch ups. Stone in left hand, razor in right and commence to stroking. Usually watching TV. I use reps of 25 laps. I often go out 200 laps. For me it is a comfort, zen thing.

I'll say this: putting a razor to a dry Zulu is like laying a hot butter knife on a cold stick of same. It's like the Zulu was made to use dry. Very smooth. But, that's just my opinion, experience.

Originally Posted by Carlospppena

Kaptain zero. You got me. Ordering my ZG now...

Do let us know how it works out for you!

As for slurry.... Most of what I have heard/read is that users of the ZG use a very light slurry, if at all. I got a slurry stone with mine, but I had problems with scratches from it so I tried using diamond slurry. For me and my hone, I have settled on water only when it comes to my ZG.

My other natural hones seem to work their magic slowly, needing about 200 laps. My ZG, on the side I lapped with fairly coarse loose grit and just left as is will do an excellent job in 60 to 100 laps.

The original polished and burnished side is slower and I had problems with uneven sticking.... some parts of the hone felt sticky to the blade and other parts were slippery, making it difficult to get a smooth stroke. The backside is very even and the coarser surface texture makes honing a breeze.

This is all part and parcel of a natural hone.... sometimes you hit it right off the bat, other times..... well... it took me almost a year, and I've still got things I need to try, dry honing is one of them!

Any comparisons between it and a Vermio?

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

Any comparisons between it and a Vermio?

+1

I'd like to hear more than the one opinion I have already heard. Don't own the ZG myself, so I feel it would be unfair to make comments.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I do not see how an expensive rock will make someone feel better just because of the price tag if the function is is not there.

I don't see how either but for some people it most certainly does.

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Well... to be picky now.... I didn't say a $1000+ Jnat would magically hone a razor, I said it *might* bring instant gratification, which *tongue in cheek* means holding a pretty looking $1000 rock in yer hands *might* bring instant gratification, all by itself, no razor required! <grin>

I haven't had any thousand dollar j-nats, or hones in general thank God, but I've had plenty of 'instant gratification', and IME it doesn't last but a few seconds and it is 'on to the next'.