Thread: ebay score! Finally an Escher!

You cannot hone a razor by formula, the condition of the razor determines how you need to hone the razor? Neither does a quality or high grit stone automatically produce a fine shaving edge. There are no magic stones.

First, look straight down on the edge, if you see shiny reflections, the edge is not fully set, or you have chips. If you have large chips or shiny spots, the bevels are not meeting, you will have to re-set the bevel.

The second variable is the Ark and the stones condition, lapped, burnished and quality? They can be all over the map. But generally, a good hard ark should be enough to flatten a bevel and reset an edge in capable hands. Make sure the Ark is flat and edges beveled. Natural stones can not be grit rated. I doubt an inexpensive small paddle Ark is capable of producing an 8-10 k finish. Small stones are difficult to learn on.

Forget the Chinese, those stone vary way too much to add to the mix and will be either about the same grit as the Thüringen or way less. They are not 12k, though some, can finish.

The trick to honing is to simplify and remove variables, to make a repeatable process, and to do what the razor needs, not follow a formula.

The beauty of a Thüringen is the range and forgiveness of the slurry. Slurry itself, (making and using) is/can be an art form but start by going from thick to thin and check your results. A Diamond plate will make a good slurry, your ark also can be used to make slurry.


Slates are good stones to learn about slurry, because you can easily make a thick slurry and thin to finish. Ink your bevels frequently to monitor your technique and condition, (flatness) of the bevel, and ensure you are honing to the edge.

Bevel the edges of the Escher and learn to hone with the stone flat on a raised hard surface. Holding the stone, just adds another variable.