Thread: Suehiro Gokumyo 20k review

Originally Posted by bill3152

I wouldnt consider lather detergent. And for the time it takes for the 40 laps its rinsed off. The stone doesn't appear to absorb much water. I don't honestly know but I've done this many times on my Norton 8, naniwa 12 and this one with no known issues.

Neither is washing soda a detergent but still harmful. Norton's & Kings are a different animal & pretty bombproof. Ceramic stones are more susceptible.

Interesting thread.

The 20K being discussed is definitely, in my opinion, one of those stones that produces a really nice edge virtually every time you use it. It doesn't need or get better with lather, .25 diamond, cbn, slurries or whatever so far in my experience. It simply produces a nice shaving edge more consistently than any natural stone I own (and I own some pretty good ones). That said and if Naturals are your preference, then you're good to go. Comparing the shave difference between the naturals and this stone would be completely subjective.

Have fun.

Just ordered one. Got good results with a Sharpton 30k but looking for a little better. How many laps do you use on the 20k?

I asked about the 20K and the Zulu Gray as a finisher a couple of months ago... ended up buying both so I could make my own (albeit expensive) decision.

Use the 20K for the first time tonight... fantastic stone! Fast & smooth. And the later adjective describes the shave... silky smooth!

Originally Posted by Aldwyn

I asked about the 20K and the Zulu Gray as a finisher a couple of months ago... ended up buying both so I could make my own (albeit expensive) decision.

Use the 20K for the first time tonight... fantastic stone! Fast & smooth. And the later adjective describes the shave... silky smooth!

How do the two stones compare?

Originally Posted by Thug

How do the two stones compare?

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.

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 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 jkatzman

Just ordered one. Got good results with a Sharpton 30k but looking for a little better. How many laps do you use on the 20k?

Some do significantly more, but I tend toward no more than 10-15 at most. Because the hone is white, you readily can see swarf accumulation showing that this hone is an incredibly fast cutter.

20 to 25 for me on my first try... looked nice and smooth under a microscope!