Thread: Lapping the GY20k

Haven't seen very many postings about lapping this stone. My method of lapping the GY20k goes like this:

Remove pencil grids with the Atoma 400.
Then lap on the DMT 325 until I am satisfied with the finish on the stone surface. Usually no more than a minute or two.

Anyone have a better way to lap the 20k, I'm all ears.....

I don't know about better, but here's what I did/do.

Pencil grid was initially removed with an Atoma 140, then I polished the finish on the stone with an Atoma 1200.
Nowadays, a few swipes with a 600, followed by a few 1200 every once in a blue moon seems to keep it going

A hard and very stable hone, that Suehiro Gokumyo 20K.

I think it is absolutely amazing that the GOKUMYO 20k has proven to be next to foolproof when it comes to finishing razor edges.

We all have read that finishing on an Escher is the cat's nuts but only if you know the secret to using the Escher. Similar claims have been put forth about the Thuringian "if you know the secret" . And this also applies to Jnats depending who you talk to.

But lately, it seems that a nine yearold girl with basic honing skills could set you up with a decent shave from the GY20k because it is that simple to use.

Am I wrong or what? As relates to honing razors, this stone is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Am I wrong or what?

Well, it is a very good hone.
Very consistent, and with few quirks like friable grits, warping and glazing.

That said, there is no magic in it.
It will only deliver if the edge you bring to it is already finely polished.
Furthermore it will require the lightest of touches to really max out, and as we all know, that takes some time to get right

But yeah, I cannot think of a better finisher, and I have tried many.
Some will match it, but not with the ease and consistency that this one has.
IMHO

My experience has been that pencil-created grids take forever to remove because the stone is rather hard. I generally lose patience with the DMT and use 180 grit sandpaper and move up from there after the grid disappears. I usually stop at 400 grit.

Its size makes it more effective in emergency self-defense situations too, always a plus.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

... But lately, it seems that a nine yearold girl with basic honing skills could set you up with a decent shave from the GY20k because it is that simple to use.

Am I wrong or what? As relates to honing razors, this stone is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Am I wrong or what? ...

Well Jerry, I'm not saying you are wrong, but that 9 year old girl would have to be capable of:

dealing with minor blade defects if any existed
be able to deal with smiling blades
be able to deal with frowns
set a bevel by 1k grit
refine the bevel on a series of other grits, without;
micro-chipping
over-honing
forming a burr/fin
Then I suppose she could go onto the GY20k

I suppose that all I am saying is that you have to nail the basics first. Just getting the GY20k isn't magic, as Birnando said. If you were crap at honing before getting the hone, then I guess you are still going to be crap at honing after getting it. The only thing to have changed will be the thickness of your wallet!

Regards,
Neil

Where would a fellow get one of these rocks?

I am very excited to receive my Gok 20k (just placed an order for one). I will be using it in conjunction with a synthetic/natural progression (synthetic up to 5k, then JNAT or coticule, then Gokumyo 20k)..

My plan was to just lap it with my well-worn DMT325, then the Atoma 1200. Does that sound reasonable?

Cheers,

JP

A well worn DMT took forever for me to lap the G20. I'm starting to think its not the hot tip for lapping - until the heavy work has been done by sandpaper.
.
I'm w/ Jerry about the stone's wonderfully friendly properties. 'Wish I had stones this friendly in all grit ranges, but that's likely not possible. Even though expensive, I would still consider it a best bang for the buck in its class - sorta like the nani 12 in its grit range.

Originally Posted by pinklather

A well worn DMT took forever for me to lap the G20. I'm starting to think its not the hot tip for lapping - until the heavy work has been done by sandpaper.
.
I'm w/ Jerry about the stone's wonderfully friendly properties. 'Wish I had stones this friendly in all grit ranges, but that's likely not possible. Even though expensive, I would still consider it a best bang for the buck in its class - sorta like the nani 12 in its grit range.

Gotcha. Maybe I'll look into picking up some w/d sandpaper (maybe 220 grit?) to do the initial lapping...I used to have a DMT 120 but I sold it...kinda wish I kept it now!!