Thread: Does this Escher need a slurry stone?

So I've been trying to buy one of these forever, but every single one that comes up for auction goes for over $300. Then I spotted this Escher last week, which is kind of small (5" x 1") but at least it has its own box, right?

Anyway, here's the question. Other Eschers I've seen seem to have a little slurry stone or nagura included in the box (presumably made of the same stone that the hone is cut from). This one, however, does not. So how do I (1) buy an Escher slurry stone to use with my hone or (2) get a slurry to develop without using a stone?

Thanks!

I use my Escher as a finisher only and just with water. There are others here that only use their Escher w/ slurry. I would say just try it with water only and then determine if you need a slurry stone. My Escher is really soft and develops a slurry as I hone. If you really want a slurry stone try this site: Original Escher Stone - Sharpening Stone from Germany

You may need to contact them directly to see if you can get just a slurry stone.

Good luck

+1 Joed.
The need for a slurry stone, depends primarily on the speed, in which you desire this hone to finish for ya...otherwise, depending on your hones you progress with, one is not needed, per se.
I personally, finish with my Escher, following the yellow coticule and have not needed the slurry stone i have.
As for an alternative...a high grit diamond card, would do...though less desireable, imo.

Thanks,

Mac

i also almost never use it with slurry despite the directions.
i am not convinced this is an escher though, I don't see the company logo or name on the label. it's a thuringian for sure, and they appear to have become very expensive of that price is representative.

Thanks for the help! Appreciate all of the responses, and if it does not turn out to be an actual Escher, I will try working with the seller through PayPal. --Jeff

This is probably a generic Thuringian hone. Some have on the label a trophy cup with E&S in it in which case it is Escher. They were sold without slurry stones but if you want one I can get you a slurry stone.

Kees is correct, they were sold without slurry stones, I have one just like it, with an Escher label in the box...
I'm with Gugi on this, I never use a slurry and I get fantastic results....I never use a slurry when I'm on a finishing hone...
Actually, I only use a slurry on a Coticule....That's it....

I've used them both ways. With water only and also with a slurry diluting to water gradually. I find the slurry and progressively diluting is a good thing though I don't do it that way all of the time. A little credit card sized DMT 325 is fine for making slurry if you don't have a matching slurry stone.

Well, this is kind of interesting. I asked the seller about whether the hone has the actual "Escher" label on it somewhere, and I got a response about how the stone "must be" an Escher because nothing works or feels quite like an Escher and this stone is therefore one of them. The seller asked where I might have gotten the idea that the stone was not an Escher, and when I answered SRP, he started bad-mouthing Lynn and this site!!

Anyway, all of that is besides the point, and so now here's the real question. According to eBay, I have seven days to return the item to the seller for a full refund. I'm sure it is a fine hone and that I will enjoy using it on my razors, but I think the price I paid for the stone ($167) is only really worth it if it is in fact a real, verifiable Escher. I know that we're not supposed to talk about value here, but would you return this stone or not if you were in my position? In other words, is there some way to find out if it is in fact a real Escher, rather than just a "purported" or "alleged" Escher.

Thanks, and just so no one accuses me of being a label-obsessed noobie, I am only concerned about the label because it seems like that is what others look at when placing a price tag on these stones. In other words, a stone may be a fantastic polisher and have no label and cost $20, or a stone may be a piece of crap and have a fancy label and cost $200. Everyone here (including me) would purchase the fantastic stone for $20 -- no argument. But the problem here is that I thought I was purchasing a stone with a fancy label and instead find out that I'm getting a stone without the label. It might still be a fantastic stone, but you can see how the lack of a label would change my idea about whether I was getting a good price. Thanks.

Some natural stones are better than others. If you are unsure give it a try and see if it is worth the $ value to you as a finishing stone. If it is a really exceptional stone keep it and if not send it back. Among my natural stones I have some that are stand out among the same family of stones. IOW, I would sell or trade the others and keep those outstanding examples if I had any sense. The guy bad mouthing Lynn and SRP would have me inclined to question anything he told me.