Suehiro Gokumyo 20k Stone

[jpcwon]

Hey Guys,

I have been hearing more & more about this thing (mainly from other forums), and how it's supposed give a "JNAT-Like" finish from a synthetic stone (sharp AND smooth)... I was more or less just curious if anyone has any experience with this stone & whether it performs as people say it does, or if all this is just hype....I have used several different synthetic finishers, and have sold them all as I did not prefer the shave (naturals are much more "skin-friendly" IMHO...plus they're more fun to use!!)....

I can't afford one ATM (they're NOT cheap!) & would quite frankly rather just stick to "the real thing" (JNAT), but the Gokumyo has admittedly piqued my curiosity....Has anyone used one and if so, what do you think?

Your thoughts are welcome!!!

Thanks in advance!!

JP

 

[Doc226]

Before I got banned I read some on it at other sites. I believe Stephan (mainaman) has one as does like it. I'm sure he will be by soon enough or try pming him.

 

[global_dev]

I wish I could tell you about my experience with it, but I haven't got one sadly.

 

[Ecl]

I like mine enough to have bought a second one as a backup.

It's the best synthetic finisher I've found, and it beats the pants off most of the naturals I've tried.

As far as the jnat comparisons, yes it's similar to the edge from a good jnat. Jnats involve a lot of ritual and practice, and the Gok 20 just gets the job done in a jiffy, so the guys with 3-hour jnat rituals will naturally look at the thing with hostility.

A jnat edge is the non-repeatable result of a particular honing session on a given set of stones, so a Gok 20 may or may not be an improvement on your jnat. It is, in my opinion, clearly better than the Naniwa 12 or the Shapton 16. It's at least comparable to the best edges I've got from my jnats, and it's faster and more predictable.

So if you're getting great edges from your jnat, you're not missing anything. The Gok 20 doesn't add some mystical extra dimension of sharpness. If you were currently jnat-free and trying to decide between buying a jnat and the Gok 20, I'd point to the Gok 20, given the uncertain quality of the naturals currently coming from Japan.

 

[smalltank]

does the 20k polish and sharpen like a coticule does at the sametime?

 

[Loner16]

Just another "latest greatest..."

Don't fall for the hype!

 

[Bayamontate]

I tried the Suehiro 20K on several razors at a meet and it is everything its advertised to be, a very good finisher, excellent polisher, mirror finish and very efficient. Whether or not it's worth it is completely subjective, it is a very nice synthetic finisher.

 

[ANeat]

I havent tried one myself, I personally havent had a sharpening experience go easier than when I got a JNat and a set of naguras.

As mentioned, with a quality synthetic you get stone to stone consistency. I would sure try one of the 20k if the opportunity came up.

I dont think any hone junky could resist...

 

[Fuzzy Chops]

I can't afford one ATM

Worst case, you resell it on the BST and you're out $20-$30. Are you going to tell us you can't afford $20?

 

[jpcwon]

Worst case, you resell it on the BST and you're out $20-$30. Are you going to tell us you can't afford $20?

Ahh yes, the power of "B+B Enabling" at work!!

Who knows, maybe I'll snag one on a whim...My impulse buy skills are exercised quite frequently these days!! Lol..

Well it's nice to hear that people like them for the most part....I appreciate the responses! I am currently enjoying my new Nakayama & coticules ATM so I think I'll stick with them for right now, but some day my HAD may get the best of me!!!

I'll be sure to fill you all in if that's the case..

 

[Brooksie967]

I've read and read and read and It WILL be my next stone purchase.... after that other Jnat arrives.... But seriously, I'll be ordering one, once those other stones... i've said to much.

Honestly though I want one and WILL get one!

 

[rockviper]

Just took a look at the price. I'll need a few minutes to try to sit back upright.

 

[jpcwon]

Just took a look at the price. I'll need a few minutes to try to sit back upright.

Yeah, exactly....But a Chosera 10k is the same price (roughly), and so are a lot of jnats, so the cost is, well, it is what it is....I'm not gonna say I'm not intrigued, though!!

 

[mainaman]

I like mine enough to have bought a second one as a backup.

It's the best synthetic finisher I've found, and it beats the pants off most of the naturals I've tried.

As far as the jnat comparisons, yes it's similar to the edge from a good jnat. Jnats involve a lot of ritual and practice, and the Gok 20 just gets the job done in a jiffy, so the guys with 3-hour jnat rituals will naturally look at the thing with hostility.

A jnat edge is the non-repeatable result of a particular honing session on a given set of stones, so a Gok 20 may or may not be an improvement on your jnat. It is, in my opinion, clearly better than the Naniwa 12 or the Shapton 16. It's at least comparable to the best edges I've got from my jnats, and it's faster and more predictable.

So if you're getting great edges from your jnat, you're not missing anything. The Gok 20 doesn't add some mystical extra dimension of sharpness. If you were currently jnat-free and trying to decide between buying a jnat and the Gok 20, I'd point to the Gok 20, given the uncertain quality of the naturals currently coming from Japan.

back up ?
hehe that thing will lats a few life times, this is a s hard a stone to lap as a good hard Jnat.

@ OP
edges are superb from this hone, works great with any steel I have tried.

 

[rickboone1]

I've been thinking about this. I'd like to try one. I'm from the camp that it ain't the horn so much as it is the musician. I think, in this hobby, it's far too easy to fall into the "if only I had a better stone" mentality. We run around and have to get a better rock instead of learning what we have. However I am curious of this one.

 

[jpcwon]

back up ?
hehe that thing will lats a few life times, this is a s hard a stone to lap and a good hard Jnat.

@ OP
edges are superb from this hone, works great with any steel I have tried.

Thanks, mainaman; I've heard the same....I don't know how long I can fight the HAD for, we shall see!!!

I've been thinking about this. I'd like to try one. I'm from the camp that it ain't the horn so much as it is the musician. I think, in this hobby, it's far too easy to fall into the "if only I had a better stone" mentality. We run around and have to get a better rock instead of learning what we have. However I am curious of this one.

I hear ya, Rick. Should I be happy with my coticules + JNATs? Yes, but that doesn't preclude me from being curious about the "next big thing", whatever that may be....

 

[mainaman]

Just another "latest greatest..."

Don't fall for the hype!

Why hype?
It is a great stone, if one has the funds to spend on it why not?
If I had to start over again with hones, I'd get that one and forget about anything else. I think this stone can stand its ground against any famous natural finisher just fine.
I think it will be very hard to top that one as I do not see how a synthetic can get better than that for razor.
This is first synthetic I have tried that like a good Jnat produces an edge that does not need of any paste stropping before it sees the leather.

 

[mainaman]

Thanks, mainaman; I've heard the same....I don't know how long I can fight the HAD for, we shall see!!!



I hear ya, Rick. Should I be happy with my coticules + JNATs? Yes, but that doesn't preclude me from being curious about the "next big thing", whatever that may be....

I am also not sure why people think this is expensive, it is cheaper than most Jnat finishers, it is cheaper than Escher. It used to be , when the dollar was weaker, in the $400 range, now it is so much cheaper... I waited for a while till the dollar got better and jumped right in, never regretted it.

 

[jpcwon]

I am also not sure why people think this is expensive, it is cheaper than most Jnat finishers, it is cheaper than Escher. It used to be , when the dollar was weaker, in the $400 range, now it is so much cheaper... I waited for a while till the dollar got better and jumped right in, never regretted it.

Oh I agree fully. I have had no issue plunking down a few hundred for a good JNAT or coticule in the past, so I don't see why this is any different. Plus, hones like this hold their value pretty well, so if I decided it's not for me (which I doubt would happen), I could likely recoup most of my money....

See what you're doing to me?!?! Must. Resist....

 

[Gamma]

They're not that expensive. Hell- I have Nagura that cost more.
Seriously - I've seen big Eschers sell for a grand, and little ones go for 300. Frictionites have sold for over 300, a 200x60 Coti is around there too.. and the beat goes on.
Expensive? That's relative. If this stone is the missing link for them, then it might save someone money in the long run.
If not - it's just another pass-it-along for a few bucks less thing.

I'm not jazzed on them, never was. If I had been - I would have picked one up a long while ago.
Prices are better now I think - under 300 right?
Question - is it 'better' than a 30k Shapton?
That's a rhetorical question.... just making a point... not an arguement.