My African Zulu Grey

[Gasman]

The Zulu that I got in the mail today is very smooth. Lapped and feels like glass on the finished side. The other side is rough cut and to lap it flat would mean to take off around a 1/8" of rock. Don't think I'm quite up to that job.

I had a Simmons #1 full hollow razor that I had put on the hones up to 12K this last weekend and have 2 shaves on it. Keen but not in the comfort area as of yet. Sometimes I manage to get a little comfort but most the time I don't. And this is finished on a 12K. So I went back to the 12K till it was undercutting clear water. Then worked up a slight slurry on the Zulu with its rubbing stone. That took some effort to do. And I noticed after cleaning the stone up that I had left some scratches on the surface of the stone making slurry. Then started honing and taking it to clear water. With the size of the stone (3X8) I had no problem keeping the water on the stone and it sure doesn't suck up water! After around 100+ laps I called it finished. Went to leather for 60 laps and will test shave tomorrow. Went to the Dentist today and had an infected tooth pulled, so I'm not really in the mood to shave. Plus with the painkillers I'm on, I might not notice if I slice my throat. LOL.

So here is the stone...


Really hoping this will be the finisher of my liking. I've tried a Thuri and Coti and they just didn't get along with me. Plus being still new to honing I know I got a lot to learn. Can't blame the stones. I've read a few post about people using slurry and others using water only. Working up the slurry with the rubber or a DMT Card. Also, I know Roy likes to use a bit of Windex on his final finishing laps. I haven't read anything about how many laps is normal with this stone. And of course, this is different from person to person. But being such a hard, Smooth stone, I'm thinking getting into the 100+ laps is not out of the ordinary. Like using an Arkie. Just guessing of course.

So, If you have any opinions, or want to post your regiment in finishing with a Zulu stone, please do. I can use all the help I can get. I got a great feeling about this stone and hope it feels the same about me.

[sharptonn]

Looks nice! Few years back, these dominated the threads.
I suppose most everyone has one.
They have a following. IIRC, they are a slow finisher.
Like to see how you do with it!

[BobH]

IIRC about 100 to 150 laps was being used in those old threads. Let us know how it turns out.

Bob

[sharptonn]

IIRC about 100 to 150 laps was being used in those old threads. Let us know how it turns out.

Bob

That's right up Jerry's alley! He loves to hone!

[BobH]

That's right up Jerry's alley! He loves to hone!

I haven't the patience for that so my Zulu Grey has been gathering dust these past few years. Really should give it another go sometime when I am in a Zen like mood should that ever occur.

Bob

[sharptonn]

I do that on my Escher, Hum de hum. Oh crap! Where am I? Hum-deHum.....
Beer.....

[outback]

Been there too. Throw in a movie, start w/ slurry, end the show on water. What the..!! How many laps was that.?!

[sharptonn]

Yeah, sometimes the harder naturals will let you know. Sometimes not!

Is that the sun coming-up?

[sloanwinters]

been using my zulu mostly as a base-stone for jnat nagura progressions.

[Gasman]

Glad to hear it takes lots of laps. Tom is right though. I do tend to do more than needed. I bet i could do 400 to 500 laps if i wasnt counting. I cant help but count.

On my weekend ill check to see if it needs lapped. Who am i kidding. I will lap it! Better for it to be right to start with. I will post my finding on this first edge tonight. A bit excited to try it. I got a good feeling. BTW, this thing sure is heavy. Im used to the weight of the synthetic stones. Guess i hadnt thought about how heavy natural stone this dense would be.

Crossing my fingers!