Thread: Gokumyo users

So the much anticipated rock arrived yest. Birnando said it was a very hard stone - and he wasn't kidding. Get comfy when lapping - you're gonna be there a while.

I'm hoping to learn what methods have been found productive & helpful w/ this rock. Slurry? Dilute to clear? Have you tried slurry from frangible stones? (thuri/jnat) What methods have been your favorites?

Thank you for your counsel.

I took a Starratt machinist's straight edge and checked it. Had a slight crown in the center. I honed a shave ready razor on it about 10 round trips, concentrating my efforts on the domed area. The razor was definitely improved by the Gokumyo. Since then I've done 4 more over the past week and I can say that I love the stone. I haven't lapped it yet but I will get around to that sooner or later.

Originally Posted by pinklather

So the much anticipated rock arrived yest. Birnando said it was a very hard stone - and he wasn't kidding. Get comfy when lapping - you're gonna be there a while.

I'm hoping to learn what methods have been found productive & helpful w/ this rock. Slurry? Dilute to clear? Have you tried slurry from frangible stones? (thuri/jnat) What methods have been your favorites?

Thank you for your counsel.

___________________________________

Robert

Just use it as a plain old finisher with no slurry after the 10k/12k. 20 to 30 laps depending on the individual razor.

Jerry

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Just use it as a plain old finisher with no slurry after the 10k/12k. 20 to 30 laps depending on the individual razor.

I'm with that 'no slurry' too, even though the Gokomyo 20k, comes with a dual grit rubbing stone, like the Choseras. So far I've not done slurry on anything but naturals. Not saying it isn't good and effective, just not as far as I've gone ..... yet. Maybe one day I'll be inspired to experiment with that. One thing is for sure AFAIC, if the razor ain't shave ready, don't bother going to the G- 20K until it is. Same with the Shapton 30k. Just wasting precious stone if you go there too soon.

30 laps on plain water after 10k SS.
Very simple stone to use, super results

Gents, 'Most grateful for your kind help. 'Apologies - I got waylaid yest & couldn't see or respond to your posts. I sure appreciate it. So far, 7 blades. Gotta be shave-ready before getting there - YUP. I tried a blade that had 6 shaves on it, and the results suffered. Tried 3 on slurry - okay, but not better than with just water. 'Tried 2 on just water - not the exact same feel as the asagi, but MUCH less hassle, and really a pleasing shave. This morning, took a Genco Fluid Steel that had 5 shaves on it. 'Gave 5 strokes on a Swaty with a 6th stroke in stropping direction. Then, 30 careful strokes on clear water, and had a wonderful shave. I can certainly understand why guys love this stone. 'Certainly not a low-dollar rock, but to my thinking - still a tremendous bang for the buck. I don't know if anyone has tried finishing a heavy sheffield on one of these, but in the next day or so I'll be giving it a go. So far, the hardest thing is to lap it. Other than that - not thirsty, not prone to chipping, not fussy, full size, good feedback, really good shaves. Smoothness is only slightly less than the asagi - comparable to my thuri. Way smoother than the Kiita edges I've tried. Gents, thank you again. I'd have alot more $$$$ and hair left if I'd found this finisher first.

Good report, Robert. We knew you would like it. Let us know how you do with the Sheffield blades.

Jerry

Originally Posted by pinklather

Gents, 'Most grateful for your kind help. 'Apologies - I got waylaid yest & couldn't see or respond to your posts. I sure appreciate it. So far, 7 blades. Gotta be shave-ready before getting there - YUP. I tried a blade that had 6 shaves on it, and the results suffered. Tried 3 on slurry - okay, but not better than with just water. 'Tried 2 on just water - not the exact same feel as the asagi, but MUCH less hassle, and really a pleasing shave. This morning, took a Genco Fluid Steel that had 5 shaves on it. 'Gave 5 strokes on a Swaty with a 6th stroke in stropping direction. Then, 30 careful strokes on clear water, and had a wonderful shave. I can certainly understand why guys love this stone. 'Certainly not a low-dollar rock, but to my thinking - still a tremendous bang for the buck. I don't know if anyone has tried finishing a heavy sheffield on one of these, but in the next day or so I'll be giving it a go. So far, the hardest thing is to lap it. Other than that - not thirsty, not prone to chipping, not fussy, full size, good feedback, really good shaves. Smoothness is only slightly less than the asagi - comparable to my thuri. Way smoother than the Kiita edges I've tried. Gents, thank you again. I'd have a lot more $$$$ and hair left if I'd found this finisher first.

I have done Japanese, Solingen, Sheffield blades on my Suehiro all with great results.
A side note, referring to Jnats by color only is a very big generalization and can't represent all stones and the edges they produce.

I have a hate/hate relation w/ heavy sheffields, but had an eye-opener today. As most posts say - they're silent, no feedback. I don't like that at all, just feels wrong. Today, after 8k, tried 15 strokes on a 4"x6" pc of hard felt, sprayed w/ .5m diamond. From there, 40 strokes on the Gokumyo. The feel of the diamond was gone - which was the objective. The shave was smooth, but now this sheffield talks - quite a bit. It made for a nice shave. I've had 3dz sheffields, including somewhat rare one - sold them all. I've been using the diamond on the Soligens and US wedges that stayed silent, and had it help them find their voice. I didn't think it would work w/ the Sheffields. It did this time. And the Gokumyo felt great as it removed the feel of the diamond. When I got the asagi, I was sad to learn the heavy sheffields don't like them. Nuts. Its nice to have a rock that takes all comers.

Stefan, I know there's lots of variation amongst the color labels. No disrespect. I've perhaps gotten burned out by all the romantic language, most of which sounds like marketing around the naturals, and the jnats in particular. 'Love my Asagi, but stopped caring about verbal correctness w/ them. You've mentioned, you get more consistent performance from the jnat than the Thuri/eschers That's been my experience as well. I just found the verbal maze more than my patience could withstand.