Thread: Suehiro Gokomyu 20K Waterstone

After using this somewhat amazing stone for a few weeks, allows me to offer an opinion I can only say that this stone works, 'every' time.No worries going from 8/10k to this 20k stone. "price is an issue' . True but if you can imagine your best bevel set and then polishing it with this luxurious stone, I swear it's a magic shave..I'ts a $300 stone. It should be, thats it. Many will go the natural ROUTE and use the various JNATS. I'm not suggesting there is no role for nats, I'm simply telling you guys that your best finishers, haven't got a chance against the Suehiro Gokumyo 20k. I am amazed seriously. This hone is half the price of a shapton equivalent.I mean how many of us have a thousand bucks for a 5mm shapton glass hones set. I'll stay happy with the Suehiro Gok 20k. Gents, feel free to rebutt my views, I just look to advance the techniques.

I read nothing but great reviews from the Suehiro Gokumyo 20k. There's roughly a 125.00 price difference between the Suehiro Gokumyo 20K and the Shapton 30K.

bobski:
Thanks for the review, can you elaborate on the way you are using this stone? Obviously as a finisher but what is your progression pre- finisher? What stones are you using? Any particular techniques work better than others?
Did you find that taking the edge past 8k made a difference in the final edge?
I have been using this stone also with a Naniwa Professional P310 1k, then a Norton 4k-8k, then G20. I am switching the Nortons for the new Choseras, getting the 3k and 5k and am wondering if an 8k to 10k would make a difference in the end or not.
I also find that this stone is very easy to have success with and for my face the best synth finisher that I have shaved off of so far.

It's on my want list. One day.....

Originally Posted by FranfC

bobski:
Thanks for the review, can you elaborate on the way you are using this stone? Obviously as a finisher but what is your progression pre- finisher? What stones are you using? Any particular techniques work better than others?
Did you find that taking the edge past 8k made a difference in the final edge?
I have been using this stone also with a Naniwa Professional P310 1k, then a Norton 4k-8k, then G20. I am switching the Nortons for the new Choseras, getting the 3k and 5k and am wondering if an 8k to 10k would make a difference in the end or not.
I also find that this stone is very easy to have success with and for my face the best synth finisher that I have shaved off of so far.

The Nortons actually are excellent hones and you will gain little going to the Choseras. If you do want to make the switch, I would recommend the 3k and 8k, rather than 3k and 5k.

The Suehiro is truly a great finisher. I have the Shapton 30K glass and it's been mothballed. It's the one stone that never really worked for me. I usually wind up with a harsh edge with it. The Suehiro is easy to use, fast, and puts an outstandingly keen and comfortable edge on my razors. It even bests my blue-green Escher.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The Suehiro is truly a great finisher. I have the Shapton 30K glass and it's been mothballed. It's the one stone that never really worked for me. I usually wind up with a harsh edge with it. The Suehiro is easy to use, fast, and puts an outstandingly keen and comfortable edge on my razors. It even bests my blue-green Escher.

Do you go from the Suehiro 20K directly to the strop or is is there a post hone step? (CrOx etc.) Thanks

Cheers Gents and thanks for the question.
My progression is similar to all of the above, with the secret being the setting of a good bevel, so your 1k stone is (Next to you best finisher ie. 20k) is the platform for the quality of the final product. I use a Naniwa 1k, a Naniwa 4k, a King 6k, (Don't always use this one) naniwa 8k/Kingstone 8K and a King Icebear clay based 10k stone. I like the smoothness of the Icebear as it is clay based, and an excellent size, (205 x 75 x 25) on a substancial base and comes with a synthetic nagura. If you have the chosera, by all accounts their 1k is a lovely stone, but expensive too, So the main thing I have found that if you have'nt set the bevelon the 1k nothing post that will get you shave readiness, so yes I go from the 10k directly to the Suehiro Gokumyo 20k without any issues. I do depending on the razor, mostly complete the razor, use a pasted Crox linen strop, no more than a dozen strokes, then normal leather. I like hard backed strops, but have no issue with the use of conventional hanging strops, just a personal choice. So to conclude, it's not of vital importance to have an expensive 1k, just awareness that this stone and the setting of your primary edge is mostly 90% of the process, then the use of little pressure as you proceed to your finishing hone. I mentioned in the initial post, that your 1st razor needs to be either shave ready when it arrives, or send it out for professional honing, it's the starting point. At that time, all you will need to keep the razor going is to use a touch up stone (8k) and a strop. Sure those other stones are great, but for your 1st one, take it slow, seek out advice on honing on this forum, and for you guys in the US, the home of honemeisters! you should have no trouble finding a good honer. In Australia, check out onimaru55, who is by all accounts, an exceptional man to get you shave ready. The learning process is long, can be frustrating, but when you get it, it's a terrific feeling. That Chosera 1k is a lovely stone, but my Nani 1k 205 x 66 x 34, no base is easy and moves steel OK for me, but the Chosera is a class bit of kit. As to my method with the 20k, little is better, no more than 10 strokes on a polished bevel, will really be sufficient, I learnt that from Oz (Onimaru55) as it's such a great feeling stone, you want to sit there and give 50 strokes, it's a compelling stone, good luck fellas, but the key is get your 1k right, then it's much more plain sailing.

Regards,
Bobski

Originally Posted by bobski

but the key is get your 1k right, then it's much more plain sailing.

Yup, and if you don't get the bevel right, then you simply are polishing a turd.

You cant polish a turd. You can only smudge it!