Thread: Suehiro Gokumyo 20k review

Reason why I asked is that the ZG is a locally available stone albeit at a US Dollar price level. So it could potentially be an option for me down the road.

Originally Posted by Thug

Reason why I asked is that the ZG is a locally available stone albeit at a US Dollar price level. So it could potentially be an option for me down the road.

I've had both. I found the Zulu to give a smooth, comfortable edge but the level of sharpness seemed on par with an 8 to 10K stone. Some people don't like an edge quite as refined as the 20k will give you. But if you find yourself going to pastes or sprays to get that last little push after the stones, you might like the 20k. You won't need the pastes after using the 20k. After using the Zulu, I was still looking for more. I moved on to a couple Jnats and they were closer to what I was looking for, quite good actually. But the 20k was the the answer. Its easy to use, produces a great edge consistently, and does so with no fuss. There's no special magic you need to figure it out. But what kind of edge you like most is what will determine if you should get it vs. the Zulu. My suggestion is to have someone hone one of your blades on the 20k before you buy it. If you like the edge you'll have your answer.

Originally Posted by Aldwyn

I havnt tried the Zulu yet, I am afraid. But I can tell you that my G20 smells like acetone, while the Zulu just smells like a rock.

Don't worry, the smell of the G20 will disappear fairly soon. The Zulu may require a few millennia.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Don't worry, the smell of the G20 will disappear fairly soon. The Zulu may require a few millennia.

That's cool... I'm a pretty patient guy. I can wait.

My 20k stone arrived yesterday and I lapped it with a 300 and 1000 diamond. I bought on eBay a Mastro Livi that came in with some chips on the front quarter of the blade and uneven bevel on the back quarter. I was able to hone the blade with my shapton 8k, 16k and 30k stones and get a pretty good even edge on it. Still, it wasn't really what I wanted. Took the 20k stone and lapped the Livi 5 times blade edge first. Much better. Then I put the stone under running water and lapped it 5 more times spine first. WOW! I tried the HHT and it sucked the hair against the blade and cut it. Then tried on my arm and cut hair half way up. Then to my face, don't even feel the blade cutting. I am a believer. Best stone I've used and I have used Norton, Shapton and a couple more I can't remember. Worth every penny. Will be dynamite for touch ups.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

My 20k stone arrived yesterday and I lapped it with a 300 and 1000 diamond. I bought on eBay a Mastro Livi that came in with some chips on the front quarter of the blade and uneven bevel on the back quarter. I was able to hone the blade with my shapton 8k, 16k and 30k stones and get a pretty good even edge on it. Still, it wasn't really what I wanted. Took the 20k stone and lapped the Livi 5 times blade edge first. Much better. Then I put the stone under running water and lapped it 5 more times spine first. WOW! I tried the HHT and it sucked the hair against the blade and cut it. Then tried on my arm and cut hair half way up. Then to my face, don't even feel the blade cutting. I am a believer. Best stone I've used and I have used Norton, Shapton and a couple more I can't remember. Worth every penny. Will be dynamite for touch ups.

Now that you've seen what the stone can do, get ready to be accused of over-honing your edges every time you mention how much you like it.

I only do 5 to 7 laps on my Mastro Livi and found I don't need more on the Austs either. I also only do 10-15 laps on a leather modular strop and the edge is perfect. Less can be more with the right tools. It's also very simple to use. I found I got better results honing under cold water with the spine leading. I usually hone with the edge leading.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

I only do 5 to 7 laps on my Mastro Livi and found I don't need more on the Austs either. I also only do 10-15 laps on a leather modular strop and the edge is perfect. Less can be more with the right tools. It's also very simple to use. I found I got better results honing under cold water with the spine leading. I usually hone with the edge leading.

If if you're preparing your defense, don't bother. You won't win the argument anyway. And I'll tell you something else, if you don't have a bevel that stone is just polishing a dull edge. In case you are wondering, this is all in jest.

Let he who hath not tried it cast the first stone. I'll settle for the incredible results with minimalism.

I have had a SG20 since the first of the year and honed quite a few razors on it, with good results. Results will vary as will the number of laps depending on the condition of the bevels and edge. I use it after a 12k Super Stone. It can be harsh if too many laps are done on some razors, nothing a light jointing and a few more laps can’t quickly resolve. I also had some issues, until I got it lapped completely flat, they are hard, and mine had, a small pocket right in the middle of the stone.

I have tried a few Zulus, I don’t own one, and was a bit disappointed after all the hype. The ones I tried were each a little different, and on the smallish side, they probably produce less than a 10k edge,( 8-10k as OCDshaver said). For a natural it is a nice stone capable of producing a fine shaving edge, but typical of natural stones each will be different, some better some, a little less so, prep and the honer make a difference.

You can’t compare the two, while they are both finishing stones, they are very different stones.

Do you need a SG20, probably not? You can achieve a very similar edge with a 12k Super Stone and good Chrome Oxide, or CBN, 1um and .03um film on glass, for a lot less money. You might want to try some film as a finisher, before you invest in a SG20; a pack of 1um film is about $15.

They are both nice stone, but there are many way to skin that cat… for a lot less money.