Thread: Escher question

Regarding the 5 x 2.5 x .75 inch stones, are they all "Barber's Gem" stones? Did Escher produce other models in these dimensions? I thought a Escher is only a Barber's Gem if it was a Pike/Escher stone.

The box it came in was a golden yellow and just has the Escher barbershop scene on the top and no name or model type. It has the standard Escher label on the inside top of the box. I can post pics if that would help.

If anyone has any info on it I would appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Matt1222

Regarding the 5 x 2.5 x .75 inch stones, are they all "Barber's Gem" stones?

Not saying this a definitive answer... but you can infer what you like! Someone here i'm sure has the answer

definitely post pics though!!!

Originally Posted by Butzy

Not saying this a definitive answer... but you can infer what you like! Someone here i'm sure has the answer

definitely post pics though!!!

To me, it's rather surprising to see that the Barbers' Gem was priced about double that of most of the 7-8" bench sized Eschers. Up until now, I had presumed it to be the more affordable size back "in the day."

Man to think of the price now!


Enjoy the day,
Benson

Escher stones came in Barber's Gem, and Barber's Delight. I see more of the latter than the former. I've only had/seen one Barber's Gem, and it was a light green according to the end label. Basically if it is an Escher it is an Escher IME, regardless of the dimensions and the packaging.

Also Schleifmittel Aktiengesellschaft as a follow up company offered stones in these sizes, they were sold on the german market but also were sold as export products....the stones have been shipped over Hamburg where they had a storage location directly at the harbour.

Here is an extract from the old pricelist, with products sold as type "Barbierstube" or "Barber Shop"

Originally Posted by doorsch

Also Schleifmittel Aktiengesellschaft as a follow up company offered stones in these sizes, they were sold on the german market but also were sold as export products....the stones have been shipped over Hamburg where they had a storage location directly at the harbour.

Here is an extract from the old pricelist, with products sold as type "Barbierstube" or "Barber Shop"

Interesting the German unit of measurement is Zoll from this old diagram. Same unit as Heibert Wacker uses for his razors. Another subject in a different thread. Still, interesting.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Interesting the German unit of measurement is Zoll from this old diagram. Same unit as Heibert Wacker uses for his razors. Another subject in a different thread. Still, interesting.

"Zoll" is German for "inch."

Originally Posted by eKretz

"Zoll" is German for "inch."

Zoll many very well translate to inch, but they ain't the same unit of measurement. I've been all up and down this.

Barbers Gem was only a brand name that Escher and others gave to this small sized stones. So why this name and why such small stones?
A gem is a little treasury. Some of the old barbers who did a lot of shaves over the day liked to refresh the razor with a stone from time to time or even before every shave (sometimes instead of stropping). They did this just in front of the client. Therfore they had a small hone in their trouser pocket.
From our point of view today, this might be nonsense. But keep in mind that these small refreshing of the blade might have been the only honing that the razor ever saw. There often was no general complete progression honing, staring with bevel setting, progression, finishing. Just short refreshing between the shaves - for the whole lifetime of the razor maybe. Then this would indeed have been necessary to keep the razor sharp somehow....
And it was of corse also a bit of show for the clients " ...see you get a fresh honed razor - only for you...."