Thread: Question about Thuringens

Thanks guys. I guess what I'm gonna do is get that vintage Thuringen then, and combined with some cheap synths (not too cheap, Nortons or the like) and my Swaty, learn how to hone, touch up and/or finish them. My absolute romantic dream is to do all natural honing, somehow combing BBW, coticule, and Thuringen from start to finish, maybe using a japanese once in a while. But I'll learn to hone first.

I agree 100% with Ron, there is always a benefit in having more hones. A 5X1 is a nice size, particularly for smiling blades and/or warped spines. I think that when getting used to honing with the 8x3 I've developed a stroke that just feels right with that length hone. I have them from 4" long to 10" and the 8" is the one where I utilize the stroke I am most used to although I can adapt my stroke to the shorter hones with no problem and they are effective. FWIW, Escher made a series of hones labeled "Barber's Delight" that are 5"X2". I have a couple of them and they are real good. The "Old Rock" and "Deep Rock" labeled coticules I have are 4"and 5"x2" and were distributed to barbers back in the old days. Your Swatys and other barber hones were usually short and around 2" wide so there is nothing wrong with the smaller hones and alot of guys prefer them.

The one's Kees has are called "Echter Thueringer Wasserabziehstein" Original/Real Thuringian Water-Whetstone. I doubt they're Eschers, but there are reports they are as good and since they are vintage, they certainly stand a chance to be similar/same stone, different brand. They are 4 7/8" x 1". Anyway. This, the Swaty, the set or synths and a lap stone shouldn't run more than $200 or $250, and I like the idea, so...
Eventually I want a nice big: Escher, BBW, and Coticule for honing, and small: Nat Coms and Eschers/vintage Thuringans for touch ups. Maybe a japanese for fun.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Just my personal preference but given the same stone I would opt for the 8X3 every time over the smaller stone. As for slurry, I have gotten very good results following an 8k with an Escher with slurry and then diluting down to water only. One of the reasons I began to do the slurry with the Escher is that the label on the stone instructs the user to do that. I figure that those who mined and distributed the hones must have known something about them.

I think size choice should depend on if you like to hold the stone while holding or if you put it on a table. I prefer to hold the stone while I hone, and 6" works really well for that. If on the table, the longer the better I'd image.

-Chief

I have a little 5"x1" vintage thuringian. It does take a bit longer to hone on, but if you're not in a rush that's not necessarily a bad thing at all! I've just used my thuringians with water after a coticule (w/ just water) or an 8k. I've never really found the need to use a slurry. I'm sure it would speed things up, but I think you can get just as good of a polish using just water, albeit it may take you more laps to get there.