It is very common to see the opinion that the Suehiro Gokumyo 20K is the best synthetic razor finishing stone out there. Having finally broken down and obtained one, I agree. The blade was both impressively keen and impressively comfortable. Not at the level of the very top JNat results, but awfully darned close. I was seriously impressed. For me, it exceeded the results from the Naniwa 10K (comfortable, but not keen enough) and the Shapton 30K (functional, good shave, but somehow not adding up to an appealing experience compared to other finishers). I don't have the Naniwa 12K, so can't compare with that.
What is not so common is to see a single written word about a 2K stone in the Gokumyo series, the 2K DGL-203. It has the deluxe trappings of the 20K -- even more so, in a way. It is larger, has a 150 grit stone on its back, and comes with a rubber stone holder, much like the 20K.
It also shares the intent of the 20K, in that it was built to prioritize stone wear above everything. That means very dense abrasive. As a woodworking hobbyist in a former life, I do not find this hard to understand. Anyone who has worn a trench in his King stone trying to flatten the back of a 1/4" Japanese chisel would understand.
But having acquired this stone in a momentary impulse, I faced the problem of what possible good it is for me? I will spare you a recitation of the many unsuccessful experiments with knives and razors, using my usual approach, and cut straight to the solution: use heavy pressure.
With heavy pressure, applied not only at the beginning of the process, but all the way through the end, when I would usually be applying only the most delicate touch, this is a darned good bevel setter, maybe a truly excellent one. I never let up on the pressure once, and wound up with an edge that competes with a SG 1K/SG 2K sequence.
In retrospect, this is not surprising. The Method relies on a light touch and light abrasive density. Honing in general relies on a light touch with the final strokes. So it makes sense that the most revered synthetic hone is very restrained about exposing its abrasive, and that its low-grit counterpart shines only by applying enough pressure to expose the right amount of abrasive for that more aggressive job. Happy to have figured this out.
I'm not saying you should spring for this expensive stone. I'm just saying i finally figured out how to make it dance to my tune, and I am very pleased with the results.
Now I have to figure out what to do with the 150 grit underside. Not razor honing, certainly. Hmmm, maybe I should buy a machete.
What is not so common is to see a single written word about a 2K stone in the Gokumyo series, the 2K DGL-203. It has the deluxe trappings of the 20K -- even more so, in a way. It is larger, has a 150 grit stone on its back, and comes with a rubber stone holder, much like the 20K.
It also shares the intent of the 20K, in that it was built to prioritize stone wear above everything. That means very dense abrasive. As a woodworking hobbyist in a former life, I do not find this hard to understand. Anyone who has worn a trench in his King stone trying to flatten the back of a 1/4" Japanese chisel would understand.
But having acquired this stone in a momentary impulse, I faced the problem of what possible good it is for me? I will spare you a recitation of the many unsuccessful experiments with knives and razors, using my usual approach, and cut straight to the solution: use heavy pressure.
With heavy pressure, applied not only at the beginning of the process, but all the way through the end, when I would usually be applying only the most delicate touch, this is a darned good bevel setter, maybe a truly excellent one. I never let up on the pressure once, and wound up with an edge that competes with a SG 1K/SG 2K sequence.
In retrospect, this is not surprising. The Method relies on a light touch and light abrasive density. Honing in general relies on a light touch with the final strokes. So it makes sense that the most revered synthetic hone is very restrained about exposing its abrasive, and that its low-grit counterpart shines only by applying enough pressure to expose the right amount of abrasive for that more aggressive job. Happy to have figured this out.
I'm not saying you should spring for this expensive stone. I'm just saying i finally figured out how to make it dance to my tune, and I am very pleased with the results.
Now I have to figure out what to do with the 150 grit underside. Not razor honing, certainly. Hmmm, maybe I should buy a machete.
