Thread: Zulu Grey vs Naniwa SS 12K comparison

Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

I agree that there is not yet an established optimal way to use the ZG. Patience with this hone will really reward you. I do see a general consensus though in making sure that any razor you bring to it is ready for it. That is, that you have got the the most out of the last hone. Then starting out with some slurry and eventually finishing with water only. The number of strokes seems to be about 150-200. Sort of like an Arkansas translucent in its cutting speed.

I agree with the diluting slury. I have tried from 8k to ZG and from Shapton glass 16k to ZG. The 8k to ZG I had good results with a milky slury to water (140-180 strokes) and from the 16k to ZG, water only or very light slury to water only (80-120 strokes). I get more consistency when using the 16k before the ZG.

At this moment I have my Zulu with dry turi slury on it. I have a very light gray turi 5"x1" stick that is softer than the ZG and it slury easily on it. The best edges out of the Zulu yet. Just water and stroke, keep the slury and add water as needed (evaporate). If slury gets thin, I raise some more. Every 3 or 4 razors, I clean and refresh surface with the Atoma 1200, raise turi slury and let dry on counter, then put away in plastic bag, to keep debris from reaching the stone. When needed, water and hone away. Double O

Originally Posted by Double0757

I agree with the diluting slury. I have tried from 8k to ZG and from Shapton glass 16k to ZG. The 8k to ZG I had good results with a milky slury to water (140-180 strokes) and from the 16k to ZG, water only or very light slury to water only (80-120 strokes). I get more consistency when using the 16k before the ZG.

I've had similar experiences. The 8k stone doesn't buff the edge as smooth as I'll want. Raising a slurry on the Zulu will buff that edge smooth and remove the remaining scratches from the bevel. But in order to get that last level of sharpness, I need to run the edge over plain water. The first fifty strokes across it will usually have slurry. By the time I get above 50 or 60, I'm down to water. From here I'll usually want another 50 to 100 strokes on just the water. I find that a Naniwai 12k doesn't buff as nicely as the Zulu. But it cuts really fast so any attempt to do any excessive buffing on the 12k will end up with a really harsh edge. If there is any trick to using the Naniwai, it seems to be in pushing the edge just to the next level of sharpness and quickly stop before it gets nasty. If I find that a particular razor is not reacting to the Zulu the way others have or getting the sharpness I want, I will give it 5-8 strokes on the Naniwai to finish and that usually gives me the best of both worlds. The final edge off the Zulu can be deceptive. Other edges will pop hairs all over the place but the final Zulu edge doesn't always do that. But in spite of it, the edge may shave exceptionally well. If you're used to the speed of the Naniwai 12K, the Zulu will frustrate you until you find out how many strokes it takes to get where you want to be. I kept stopping short and thinking that the Zulu wasn't doing its work. It was/is my first natural stone and it has been a learning experience.