Suehiro’s “DUAL STONE”

The interesting thing about Suehiro’s Dual Stone series is, you can use it with either water or oil. More on that later. The claim is though, the stones are harder, more dense and cut beyond thier grit rating, particularly when using oil. I had to find out for myself.

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https://www.suehiro-toishi.com/en/category/dualstone2/

Thier ~3” x 8” stones range from 600 grit, to 8,000 grit. Would this be a set of stones worthy of us straight razor honing nuts? One that we might recommend to noobs over the synthetic gold standard we’ve come to accept as the Nani?

Of course we all know that other Suehiro series have insanely high grit finishing stones to finish the set when that time comes, but there are two things that stand out to me that might be of concern.

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The first is, there is a weird gap in grits (in my mind). 8,000 - 6,000 -?- 1,500 - 1,000 - 600. I don’t know, but jumping from 1.5K to 6K seems a like a little bit of a hole. But then, it’s only 4.5K. Many of us jump from 3 or 4K to 8. So maybe in reality, it’s not that big of a deal.

What might be a bigger deal is that the average 8x3 DualStone costs $150 USD. Like I said, I had to see for myself, but I really don’t want to be replacing my Nani’s on a “I wonder moment.” So I got thier compact size. A little 6” x 2”, 800 / 6K grit combo stone, with a 500 grit diamond plate, and a base, all for the price of one of the 8” stones.

How would I like it?

The first thing that stands out was the packaging. In the end, it might be meaningless, but I buy into first impressions. And let’s not forget, they aren’t free. So it’s a nice touch.

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Speaking of cool packaging, the base for the stones is on an angle for those people who don’t hone often. It’s kind of cool. Moreover, the stand hides the “cleaning stone”, and sits on top of a skid pad that actually works! It’s really kind of cool.

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INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The first thing you’ll notice on the stone is that the 6K section is like 1/10th the size of the 800. At least I assumed that was the case because the stone isn’t numbered. I was of course proven right when I used the 500 grit diamond plate to lap the stone. The 6K side took 6 times as long to flatten. It was pretty hard! The 800 lapped pretty easy, but it felt like I was lapping a maybe uh, 2K Nani stone.

Speaking of the diamond plate, it rests on the base too and feels like it’ll hold its particles.

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Ok, so here was the weird(ish) thing. I dunked the stone in a bowl of water to let it soak for a bit before lapping - right out of the box - but there weren’t any air bubbles popping out. Odd. For a wet stone. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, i keep saying it’s hard, and it is, but it’s not as hard as a Ark obviously. Moreover, I’m not sure the 6K side is harder than my Nani 10K, but at this point, it kind of felt considerably more dense than a Nani. Odd. But whatever, the proof of the stones worth would come at the end of a knife, so that’s what I did - I sharpened my edc.

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Look, I saved the best for last, with water, this stone feels awesome when you are rubbing metal over it. Just awesome. I loved my other Suehiro stones over my Nani’s, but there was a definite chalk feel. Which was ok, but this stone is all that and a box of chocolates! Very little chalk feeling, just a nice and smooth glide. Love it!

You don’t feel like you’re gouging a hollow in the middle of this stone like other synthetics. And it cut quickly! I’m really liking it! And yes, it feels like it’s honing beyond its grit rating. I’ll test that later. And using oil.

But for now, I’m stoked with my new toy!

Just what my HAD needs, another stone. So 8k is as high as that line goes? Pretty spendy stone for a full bench size considering grit, up there with the Shapton gs.

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Originally Posted by jfk742

Just what my HAD needs, another stone. So 8k is as high as that line goes? Pretty speedy stone for a full bench size considering grit, up there with the Shapton gs.

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Did you mean to say spendy? As in expensive? Cuz I’d agree with you. I do get the feeling the stone would last a long time though. I’m flirting with the idea that it might be more forgiving too. But that’s ridiculous. A scratch is a scratch. But you know the old 60 to 80 zoom is coming out for a look soon enough lol.

Yup, 8K is where it stops. Which I suppose could be a reason why some wouldn’t want the series. Personally speaking, going from an 8K to a finishing stone is a-ok with me though.

I did mean spendy, apparently auto correct thought differently.

I’ve been on the look out for another finisher. Been fooling with an arky and have had my eye on a g20k for a couple years. The Gok is way more than I would like to spend though.

I hope this stone fits the role you got it for, sounds very interesting. What kind of oil are you thinking of using? Is there any worry of going to oil and then back to water?

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Originally Posted by jfk742

I did mean spendy, apparently auto correct thought differently.

I’ve been on the look out for another finisher. Been fooling with an arky and have had my eye on a g20k for a couple years. The Gok is way more than I would like to spend though.

I hope this stone fits the role you got it for, sounds very interesting. What kind of oil are you thinking of using? Is there any worry of going to oil and then back to water?

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I’ve got a black ark that’s really doing well by me. Putting CrOx on it has been a pleasant experience. Being I don’t mind small, and the stone is only a 6x2... it was pretty inexpensive.

I’ve wanted the g20k for a while now too - I’ve heard good and bad. One day I’ll pick one up.

As for the Dual and oil, I fear oil might change it. I can’t see it being that big an issue really, but I’ll play with water for a while before I make that leap. When I do, it’ll probably be vergin olive oil.

Anyway, thanks - I really wish I could explain better how cool it is to run a knife over this stone though! Tomorrow I’ll have to take a straight to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jfk742

I’ve been on the look out for another finisher. Been fooling with an arky and have had my eye on a g20k for a couple years. The Gok is way more than I would like to spend though.

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The 20k is spendy but now that I have one, wouldn't be without it.
Gok 10k just landed on my doorstep also. Cheaper than the Chocera 10k & a super nice stone to boot. Bit softer than the 20, easier to initially lap flat. 10 mins on the Atoma 140 & 5 mins divided between the 400 & 1200. The cleaning stone is 400 grit but doesn't seem to bite much into the 10k. the 1200 Atoma is better for slurry & cleaning. Nice n fast stone. Shave is average but comfortable . Much prefer the 20k to shave off.
Mini review done :p

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

The 20k is spendy but now that I have one, wouldn't be without it.
Gok 10k just landed on my doorstep also. Cheaper than the Chocera 10k & a super nice stone to boot. Bit softer than the 20, easier to initially lap flat. 10 mins on the Atoma 140 & 5 mins divided between the 400 & 1200. The cleaning stone is 400 grit but doesn't seem to bite much into the 10k. the 1200 Atoma is better for slurry & cleaning. Nice n fast stone. Shave is average but comfortable . Much prefer the 20k to shave off.
Mini review done :p

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Got a slightly used SG20k here on B/S/T for $210 shipped and absolutely love this stone. What a deal!

David -- What's the "bad" you've heard regarding the SG20k? Other than the fact it's a bear to lap...

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Originally Posted by Speedster

Got a slightly used SG20k here on B/S/T for $210 shipped and absolutely love this stone. What a deal!

David -- What's the "bad" you've heard regarding the SG20k? Other than the fact it's a bear to lap...

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Pretend you are looking into one again and start reading reviews. I'm shocked to see how many guys are claiming that the stone is an uncomfortable shave, that it's a waste of cash bla, bla, bla...

As always, you have to be diligent in your review reading - but I figured with dudes dropping the cash they do, no one would be bad mouthing it in order to not feel like a tool for dropping 260 for a stone. But nope.


Listen Mark, just so you know, and I'm not blowing smoke up yours or onimaru55's ... If you guys like it, then I'm chalking it up as worthy. It's nice hanging on a forum like this and getting to know what others like and finding you like it too - it helps.

I BS you knot. I don't need anymore synthetic stones - or any stones of any type... but it's a sickness. And when it strikes again, if it's going to be a synthetic, it's going to be a Suehiro. I know they are dear, but I'm going to start recommending them too.

I didn't know the dual-stones came double-sided like that. I thought they were mounted on metal stands like the diamond plates.