Thread: Zulu grey question

So my ralf Aust razor was beginning to pull a bit and I decided to give it a go on the Zulu grey. Since the edge hasn't dropped off too much yet, I went with water only for about 150 laps. Shaved with it again and I didn't notice any difference in the edge at all. It was pulling a bit just like it did before.

Is this where I should try a little slurry on the Zulu, then go to the 80-150 laps on water after that? Thanks

I don't have any personal experience with the zulu but if you don't have a 4/8, or the equivalent, I would say give the slurry a try. Do the circles and dilute the slurry as you go. If it isn't getting there with water only the slurry, diluting as you go, may bring it back. If you do have a 4/8 that might be a better bet depending on the condition of the edge. IMHO.

I have some experience with the Zulu, my 2 cents: just to touche up the edge on that razor I would have only done 25 to 30 strokes, then stropped & shave tested. I think 130 was too many laps. The Zulu is a slow, hard stone & I have done 80 to 140 strokes coming off an 8K. Normally a touch up for my razors is 8 to 12 strokes on say my Shapton 16K, but the PHIG, Zulu & Welsh Slate take 25 to 30.

Like Jimmy said, I would revisit the 8K, then gradually test the Zulu as you increase increments. I don't slurry the Zulu, BTW.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I have some experience with the Zulu, my 2 cents: just to touche ...

touche!


(i love a pun, unintentional ones are often the best)

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I'm not honing anything like that number of strokes. 40-60 if i really concentrate (concentration challenged). But I'm just learning it and using self-slurry and slate slurry. Shaved with three edges from it yesterday, and they were all good. Maybe not super butter (SB) but very good.

I have the Zulu and a coticule to use. The edge was new and honed by Lynn at Christmas, it probably has 15-20 shaves on it is all. Just didn't think I'd need to go to the coticule yet, so I thought the Zulu slurry would be a logical step down the grit chain.

Not sure there is any logic when it comes to natural hones. I have a Zulu and mostly follow the recommendations of the man who quarries them. I've tried to dilute to water from the extra fine DMT card and at some point I would lose contact with the stone so to speak. I dilute just enough to keep the razor moving, and keep a light slurry. But whatever you do, don't stop here, keep reading and keep working at your hones. 'Logical step down the grit chain' sounds good for synthetics. Good luck. Pay special attention to guys, not like me, who have start dates that go back aways.

Originally Posted by Wxman2000

I have the Zulu and a coticule to use. The edge was new and honed by Lynn at Christmas, it probably has 15-20 shaves on it is all. Just didn't think I'd need to go to the coticule yet, so I thought the Zulu slurry would be a logical step down the grit chain.

I had read that many people were using a lot of laps on it I guess. I was testing it on arm hairs every 20-25 and didn't notice any improvement until I got to the higher numbers. Hope I didn't ruin what edge was there!

It requires high numbers when stepping off a 8k, but touching up a rotation razor is a different approach, IMO.