Thread: NOS Escher vs Thuringian

I have had both of the hones.

The larger hones is a dark grey stone. It comes in a wooden box with a rubbing stone. It is quite dirty to use but quite a good hone never the less. Mine did not have quality issues but overall I did not find is as flexible as a Belgian coticule.

The smaller stone, the 5" by 2" comes in a cardboard box , also with a rubbing stone. They are coming from a Mr Mueller in Germany who has his own internet sight for dealing with the trade. He doesn't really deal direct with the public.

My smaller stone is the most consistent finishing hone that I have and I rate it very highly indeed. It is a greenish grey in colour and the rubbing stone is a yellowish green. I understand that the colour can vary and that some stones are a blue grey. I don't think the colour issue matters so much. The main point is that the the more expensive (smaller stone) is a finer grit and puts a much smoother finished edge on a blade.

I use mine as a regular finishing hone and find it gives a smoother edge than a Belgian coticule. I do not find the need to use any other finishing pastes after using the hone.

As to price, I think if memory serves me well, I paid about 60 euro about a year ago. For $300 you can purchase an old labelled Escher stone. I don't know if the vintage Eschers are better than this newly cut stone, but I suspect the stone is of a similar quality. What I do know is I am very pleased with the one I own and use it as my finishing hone of preference.

Hope that helps.