HAD strikes again.
I can't talk. ;)
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Question; I have a Zulu Grey and I'm quite pleased with the results I get with it being the caboose of my progression. (1,5,8,12,Zulu) Would the 20K GOK add to this party or end up being a coin toss or nullifying the Zulu?
PS; having HAD is fun but I want it, at least, to make "some" sense!
IMO, it depends! Read my post #54 on this thread. Out of those initial blades, one developed micro chips from too much edge thinness I guess. I have done two blades now from full progression to the 20k Gokumyö, 1k, 4k, 8k, 16k and then 20k. The first blade was a dream, the second was lacking on the 8k, so had to go back and finally finished very good. After shaving with the first, I did the CBN progression, and was even better ( like a fine Y/G Escher).
What I like about the Gokumyö ( mind I have done only 6 or 7 blades so far), is the consistency of the finish with different steels I have tried. The feeling on the smoothness and sharpness (as long as it has a good bevel and comes out sharp of the 8k) is very close to the same on all the blades I have tried. It does change the Zulu feeling, to smoother, and it adds sharpness, so it is a different finisher all together. I didn't notice a difference from the blades first finished on Zulu, then on the Gokumyö 20k, to the blades that went from 16k directly to the 20k.
So, IMO, if you have a big collection of blades or hone for living, and want a stone that will give you very good results all the time with any of the blades, then yes, it's worth it. If you have a smaller collection and enjoy changing finish once in a while, then I would buy a vintage turi or Escher first , for close to the same money. Just my opinion, and please consider I haven't used the stone enough to have a strong opinion about it yet. Hope this helps you! Double O