Thread: My method for a Gokumyo 20k Refresh

Just would like to share the method I have been using for my refreshes lately.

Since getting my G20K I had been using it alone for refreshing an edge. Once a razor had started to give me sub standard shaves.

If the razor did not respond well to it (G20k) alone. I would go back down to my Norton 8K. For some very light strokes. Then back on the Gok to finish. This had been working well for me.

But frequenting this site had me reading up on using my finisher to its maximum potential. A couple threads by members here much more experienced mentioned using the supplied slurry/cleaning stone to the mix.
Curiosity being what it is. Gave it a try.

Using only the 3K/cream colored side of the rubbing stone. I rub the wet surface of the hone. Generating a small amount of slurry. With this I make passes till the color of the slurry turns to a gray tint. Before I rinse the blade and stone. I do 10 WOTB passes. Then dilute the slurry and 10 more WOTB passes.

Then I thoroughly rinse everything and finish as I normally had been doing.

For the last five razors I have refreshed using this method. It has made an improvement on the edges I had previously achieved.

This is by no means an assertion that this way is the best or only way to do it. Just a humble submission of what method I have copied/arrived at. From the knowledge in this forum.

The members here through their posts and feedback. Have helped me achieve success rather pain free. Much quicker than would have been possible through trial and error.

Tips and feedback are as always welcome. Thanks guys. Ken..

Ken:
Very interesting, I would not have thought to try that.
Your previous progression would have been similar to my thoughts, as I have a 10K and 12K synth stones I would have gone back to one of those and then on to the 20K to finish.
I sometimes reset bevels that have no significant damage on a Nani Pro 3K so the 3K cleaning stone just didn't make my radar for a refresh but the Gok 20 is a good cutter for being so fine. Still 3K to 20K is quite a jump but not exactly like using a 3K stone either since it's just the slurry.
Not knowing what that paticular3K stone is made of and how consistent the grit is in it would give me pause to use it as a nagura for slurry honing but 5 successful edges is a good beginning in testing out this approach.

Originally Posted by Maryland998

Just would like to share the method I have been using for my refreshes lately.

Since getting my G20K I had been using it alone for refreshing an edge. Once a razor had started to give me sub standard shaves.
......
Tips and feedback are as always welcome. Thanks guys. Ken..

My favorite issue. I have big piles of progression rocks and hones but
for a touch up the progression is not needed.

The trick is to not let the blade get dull, Touch up when you get sub standard shaves sounds about right
then strop calmly and enjoy the shave.

I have been refreshing on an 8K Snow White and a 13K with a Japanese hone that has a name I cannot type.
I like the polish.

The trick is to not let it get dull but just touch it up."
Now I need a G20 ;-)

Ive never bothered using the slurry stone, the Gok 20k is a fast cutting stone, after 15 or so shaves 5 laps on the Gok is usually enough to keep my razors ever from going to a lower grit hone.
Frankenstien and Utopian have used the Gok as a one hone stone with the dual slurry stone.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...xperiment.html
It really is quite a remarkable and versatile hone.

Slurry can be very interesting and provide unique results.

Are you only doing the 20 laps, or just finishing laps?

Be careful honing on synthetic slurry edge forward, as synthetic slurry does not break down and can beat up an edge. Anything more than what you are doing may degrade the edge.

Try some stropping, edge trailing strokes instead. I and others have had good luck with the SG20, finishing with edge trailing strokes on just water.

Trailing strokes will polish ½ to a 1/3 of the bevel to the edge, so do not do too many, the edge can get thin, and not all razors can support that edge.

If it does, Joint and re-set on the 20.

Thanks for the input and tips.
That is one of the threads that I read. Big nose.
Euclid I shall certainly try the stropping strokes. So far I've only done 5 this way a Robeson, Gold Rex, 2 Otto Buschs and a Ern Ator.
All seem to be able to support/ take an edge this fine. Haven't tried it on my W&B Celebrated.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that G20K was made with the idea being a synthetic stone that could be used like a Jnat.
I apologize if this is not correct.
If I were to describe the feedback I get when using the slurry. It starts out feeling "chalky" and that seems to lessen as the slurry turns the gray color I describe. Then I add water just as you would with a Jnat.
Is it possible the composition of this slurry stone is made of material that "breaks down" like a natural would?

I did not count the strokes with slurry first part. Just once it turned grey. Then I lighten the pressure to 10 WOTB and then dilute it and do 10 more WOTB. Then clean everything and finish it with plain water until the razor pops hair the way I look for.

I will for sure try the stropping strokes next go round to se how that does. It's been fun playing around with this so far. Thanks guys. Ken

I get great results touching up edges with my SG20k on just water also. If a razor starts to tug a tiny bit it's good to go with 5 or 10 laps on the SG20k. The key is catching it early when it doesn't have a whole lot of damage. I refresh my SG20k when it needs flattened (not very often) by using a JNat Tomo to smooth the surface after flattening with a diamond plate. This gives great results for me.

I've used the G20k for a number of years and as a finisher or touch up stone it's brilliant. I've never used slurry as such, but I'm an advocate of using the conditioning stone to disrupt the surface of that stone in particular. The water tends to pool on various spots and it's hard to keep it uniformly wet. My way is to use an Atoma plate to remove the marks that appear on the G20k, keep fresh unclogged stone to hone on. It's not a waste of stone, especially with this stone being so indestructible.