Thread: South African Hones....

How about the lapping suggestion?

Originally Posted by Double0757

How about the lapping suggestion?

I described a consistent lapping procedure in my review in post #85

I did some testing of the Zulu gray in the days since I received it, the results were great.
I tested Sheffield steel, Solingen, Russian, Japanese and stainless on the stone, the resulting edges were always very smooth and sharp. I did not feel the edges needed any paste action after honing to get the max of them.
For me this is a very very good finisher, easy to use and very reasonably priced.

Originally Posted by Double0757

Zib, could this hone be a straight finisher? Without having to to go to an Escher? My last stone will be a shapton glass 16k, after that I will go to the Zulu Grey with slurry. Well, there is only one way to find out, try it myself! I'm hopping to avoid a finer stone in between (like Escher $$$) to get an "Escher" like shave.
It's all Jimmy Had fault! For introducing me to the most comfortable and BBS shave I had from a razor he finished for me on an Escher. Ever since I've been obsess of finding one on the wild. That is, until I read your review here and took the plunge on the much more resanobly priced Zulu Grey.
On another note, can I lappe it on my DMT 325 then go to straight to an Atoma 1200 to smooth out, or do you recommend me go through a wet/dry progression, up to the 1500, then use the Atoma to raise the slurry? Thanks and apologize for the many questions at once. Double O

What Mainaman said....

I use the Shapton GS stones myself. I like them, but I find the edge from the 16k a bit crisp for me. I take it to the Zulu, I used to go from the 16k to the Escher. I believe you can go from an 8k to the Zulu with slurry, but higher seems to work better.

Once I lapped mine, it was cut and sent right from the quarry I think. It took a while to lapp. I started with a DMT XX, then the 325 or DMT C and then 400g up to 1200g wet, and now I use an Atoma 1200 to raise a slurry, it keeps the surface of the stone like glass, which is what you want. I treat it like you would a quality Jnat.

Originally Posted by zib

What Mainaman said....

I use the Shapton GS stones myself. I like them, but I find the edge from the 16k a bit crisp for me. I take it to the Zulu, I used to go from the 16k to the Escher. I believe you can go from an 8k to the Zulu with slurry, but higher seems to work better.

Once I lapped mine, it was cut and sent right from the quarry I think. It took a while to lapp. I started with a DMT XX, then the 325 or DMT C and then 400g up to 1200g wet, and now I use an Atoma 1200 to raise a slurry, it keeps the surface of the stone like glass, which is what you want. I treat it like you would a quality Jnat.

Can I use the back of the DMT plate as a flat surface to do the wet/dry progression? Quality J -nat? Never had one or read about it. Guessing, need to keep surface scratch free and mirror like? Double O

Originally Posted by Double0757

Can I use the back of the DMT plate as a flat surface to do the wet/dry progression? Quality J -nat? Never had one or read about it. Guessing, need to keep surface scratch free and mirror like? Double O

I usually wrap the wet sandpaper around the DMT plate itself. That way you can use whatever grit sandpaper you want, and you have a nice flat lapper. It works great. I lay mine in the sink with water dripping on it, and rub the stone on the wrapped plate....Hope that makes sense...

Yes, Jnats, like the Ozuku. It's best to have a mirror like finish, scratch free on your stone for best results.

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I use a marble tile from Home Depot or Lowe's as a base for the wet/dry sandpaper. It's nice to have a little more area to lap on.

I just got four blades that Stefan honed on the Zulu today and will test two of them tomorrow AM. Shave report to come

Eagerly awaiting my hone. After reading how well then work I have a lineup awaiting it!

Zulu Shave report:
I did not strop these blades ( not sure if Stefan did or not)

Imperial razor 5/8 full hollow

Used it for first pass WTG: Excellent. smooth and sharp but not a one pass shave, Handled the tough one day chin stubble with no trouble. Handled the whole pass with no problem

W&B Near wedge: Second pass XTG also very sharp and smooth. I like it a lot ( although, obviously there was little to shave). Went ATG for the sides of the cheeks into the chin a bit and it handled it no problem

two more blades tomorrow.

I would say that the Zulu off these two examples ( very different grinds)and Stefan's excellent honing touch is a serious finishing stone.