These are the hones from this guy in Germany.

MST - Müller Schleiftechnik You need to look under "neue produkte". The hone is reboxed by the Canadian supplier.

I have the same hone, but mine is green in color not blue/grey. The blurb says there are color differences but I'm sure they all cut the same.

The hone is smoother then a coticule and softer.

Like Joed, all I can say is that I am very satisfied with edge it produces. I've stopped looking at hones after finding this hone. It's as sharp as I need a razor to be. Not all coticules are the same, but my Escher sharpens and polishes my razors to a sharper level than my coticule.

Is it better than a chinese 12k? Well I think both hones will bring you to the same end result.

The Escher however is a natural stone, it is fast cutting/polishing, it gives great feedback and it is a pleasure to use. The Chinese hone is significantly cheaper and bigger and clingy in use and not so much fun in use.

I use my Escher first with a heavy slurry and then with just water.

Joed, you should lap the hone. I used 1500 grit wet and dry paper on a flat surface. You use the paper wet.

You can easily put a nice bevel edge using the same paper once you have finished lapping. The hone will let you know when it is lapped, as it will feel as if it is stuck on the lapping sheet. The bevels can be put on the edges by holding and rubbing each edge at 45 degrees to the paper. The lapping and beveling will remove the slight nicks on the stone and may improve it's efficiency a touch. You should give the rubbing stone the same treatment.