Next Step

[apipeguy]

I have been learning to hone for the past year now and use Nani's 1,3,5,8 & 12k's. Very happy with my edges but would like to move to the next step or level. I have read a little about the Suehiro 20k and it seems to be a good option for a synthetic person. No idea of where these are available and am interested in suggestions as to where to go from here. Other options for that next level. I am very picky/critical about my edges. When I googled Suehiro 20k I only got one eBay hit for purchase and I'm not too enthused about eBay.

Thanks.

[RezDog]

There is also the naturals rabbit hole! There are a ton of different rocks for finishing on, and then the Japanese hones with the many different rubbing stones. The possibilities are endless. A friend on this four has sent me a few razors with a SG20 finish and they have all shave very nicely, better than any of the synthetic edges over 8K that I have done.

[10Pups]

I used synthetics up to 12k as I learned. Then went really hard with a Zulu. The 12k left things sharp but kind of harsh. The Zulu smoothed everything out to that buttery feel. Maybe the same with 20k , just adding my 2 cents. It's nice to have and use a natural and thankfully the HAD stopped there.

[tab]

toolsfromjapan stocks them, and many other great stones. Stu is a great guy to work with.

[apipeguy]

toolsfromjapan stocks them, and many other great stones. Stu is a great guy to work with.

I looked up the 20000K Suehiro Gokumyo and see it contains a 1000/3000 conditioning stone. To show my ignorance, would that be to create a slurry? Also was surprised that shipping was not bad at all.

[Razorfaust]

I looked up the 20000K Suehiro Gokumyo and see it contains a 1000/3000 conditioning stone. To show my ignorance, would that be to create a slurry? Also was surprised that shipping was not bad at all.

I believe the intention of that stone is for cleaning. i myself did not receive that accessory stone but the 400k cleaning stone with my GMN-200. I'm pretty shure Utopian used your particular stone to make slurry for a " One stone hone" solution. I believe it went reasonably well but may take some extra time. certainly you would not have to do this if you have coarser stones for this job. Congrats at getting a really nice finisher I hope you get good use and enjoyment from it.

[apipeguy]

Haven't placed the order yet but it is looking like this is what I'm going to go with. Just need to wait for a little extra cash, first. Not really ready to go to the naturals. Feel that I need more experience with synthetics and known qualities, before I start down that path.

Just finished refreshing a Ralf Aust 7/8 Spanish tip horn today and got a fantastic shave from the 12K Nani. Really kind of excited to see what a 20K would bring to the experience.

[Euclid440]

So really from a 12 Super Stone edge, you options are, Naturals (A large Rabbit Hole), the GS20, (if the 12k Super Stone is the Honda Accord of stones), the GS20 is the Lexus, and PASTE, a smaller Rabbit Hole, but can be a dark one...

You might want to look at CBN, probably the .50 and .125um to finish a 12k edge, buttery smooth and super keen.

With the GS20 you can easily over do, but a quick edge joint and re-set on the GS20 and you are good. It is so easy it is almost boring…

[apipeguy]

I'm starting to get more excited about that GS20.

Thanks

[Razorfaust]

With the GS20 you can easily over do, but a quick edge joint and re-set on the GS20 and you are good. It is so easy it is almost boring…

I have to agree, the performance of this stone is so easy is almost boring, but I was never one to inject romance or anything esoteric in my honing. I like what works well and this does do it for me. I live for the shave, that's where my pleasure comes from.i don't sport any facial hair and I really love the shaves this stone makes happen. I like my Thuringian as well but that is also a very easy to use and consistent natural. Every body is different in what they are looking for, some like the complexity, searching for the ultimate natural progression. Me i'm not there yet, I just want to shave, and I want it to be good.