Thread: Escher AFTER Coticule?

Originally Posted by Scipio

I wonder how much difference the final edge off the Escher has from a 12K as opposed to an 8K.

I tried that 12k to Escher on a Charlie Lewis frameback last night. I did 50 laps on the blue/green Escher (weight of the blade) with water only. The 12k edge had been good on the shave test a week or so ago but last night's shaving edge was even better.

In terms of honing I don't think there are absolutes. As Glen was saying, what works for one guy might not work for another. Sham isn't wrong in saying that the Escher should be gone to at the 12k level but , like you, I've gone to my Escher after the 8k or the coticule many times with stellar results.

I know that Gary tried a couple of first rate Eschers and he personally didn't like the edges off of them. The Topher, my original honing mentor when he was around, didn't like his 8x3 natural coticule's edges and sold it to me. It is unreservedly the best coticule out of many that I have had. So it is really a personal preference thing. Many guys have posted in the past that they are perfectly happy with the shave they get from their 8k Norton. In addition to the YMMV nature of the results you also have the variations in the stones so it never ends. That is why I experiment and find what I like. I am open minded to what the other guy says but none of it is carved in stone.

I stop by Starbucks every morning for a medium (grande) black coffee. Every morning they ask the same question, "Do you want bold or Pike Place?" Every morning I give the same answer, "Whichever, I can't taste the difference."

I wonder if my face is as ignorant as my tastebuds. Would I notice the difference between the (my) coticule edge and the (my, if I owned one) MST Thuringian edge? Probably not. I hope to experiment soon, tho.


Me

Originally Posted by CJBianco

I stop by Starbucks every morning for a medium (grande) black coffee. Every morning they ask the same question, "Do you want bold or Pike Place?" Every morning I give the same answer, "Whichever, I can't taste the difference."

I wonder if my face is as ignorant as my tastebuds. Would I notice the difference between the (my) coticule edge and the (my, if I owned one) MST Thuringian edge? Probably not. I hope to experiment soon, tho.


Me

I have challanged couple people in srp and some will respond some not.
Now i will hone for you 1 of your blade and finish the edge on Escher.
You just have to do 1 thing.
come to this thread after shave test and say truth how was your face feel after the shave.( To me doesn't matte if it is bad say as it is)
Send me pm if you like to try. gl

Though I'm new to honing, I've been under the impression (from reading SRP) that one could use only a Coticule and have terrific results forever. In fact, I purchased my my beautiful Bout from Invisible Edge under the assumption that it would the one and only hone I could ever need short of developing a case of HAD.

Was I poorly informed?

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

I have challanged couple people in srp and some will respond some not.
Now i will hone for you 1 of your blade and finish the edge on Escher.
You just have to do 1 thing.
come to this thread after shave test and say truth how was your face feel after the shave.( To me doesn't matte if it is bad say as it is)
Send me pm if you like to try. gl

What a generous offer! Unfortunately, I just mailed my new (secondhand) AOS Thiers-Issard to Lynn for a good honing before I use it. I asked him to finish on a natural stone such as the coticule or Escher. He chose the Escher. I can't wait to feel an Escher edge! =)

Of course, comparing the Lynn/Escher experience to my own newbie coticule skills is like comparing apples and bananas.

Thanx again, tho. =)


Me

Interesting thread. I'm with Jimmy in that experience and skill with honing and then the specific hone will get the most out of it. I'm with Sham in not wasting the Escher and to use it as the last hone. Time is also a factor here. I've been playing around for a while now with several coticules and an Escher and a couple of Thuringian hones. I have found that the Escher and Thuringian refine the edge best following the coti as opposed to going to the Escher w/o the coti. I get really nice shaves right off the coti and can stop there. Adding the Escher/Thuringian or even the C12k after the coti just puts it over the top. The shaves are still just as smooth but the edge is just wicked sharp. To be honest here, I don't hit this sweet spot on every razor, just a lot of them.

That being said, can you get the same results? Dunno. The one thing ya need to remember is that the final results of honing starts with the bevel setting. Miss the mark here, and it is a fine line, and nothing else matters.

Great thread!!

Originally Posted by MarkinLondon

Though I'm new to honing, I've been under the impression (from reading SRP) that one could use only a Coticule and have terrific results forever. In fact, I purchased my my beautiful Bout from Invisible Edge under the assumption that it would the one and only hone I could ever need short of developing a case of HAD.

Was I poorly informed?

this is tough to swallow.
Were you poorly informed? i should say no you weren't .
In fact if you got the right coticule you will be very happy.
1 st you have spend less money
2nd you will get the shave you like
3 rd you don't have to struggle to learn more stones.
Now bad side of the deal.
if you will not get the right Coticule you will be in a little trouble.(for Some people it takes time until they Get their blade honed by Pro's and that opens their eyes)
you will look for better stones .
and that will not stop. you will get next Chinese 12k and think wow there is better edge out there then you will get japanese stone oops you will think what is going on i had no idea what is a nice edge should feel like then You will look for Escher's ,charnley forest so on on on.= HAD.
In the Other hand People are different. Some people will shave off 4k and be happy Some Even after finest stone won't get satisfied.
Hope this give s you better idea.
gl

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I imagine Lynn could take a razor to a cinder block and get a better shaving edge than some guys could with a Nakayama asagi.

We have to be a bit more specific here Jimmy! Are we talking about the hollow or the solid cinder blocks? do we know the strata that the cinders came from? Is there a makers name or stamp impressed in the block? Are there any glassy inclusions? Has the block been lapped?

Call me Joe Friday, but all I want are the facts....!

At the least your talking natural stones and the quality can vary so it's hard to compare stones from one person to another when the stones could be from different sources and ages.

I use my coticule and Escher as my main finishers and both give me a great shaving edge. Yea, in general the Escher is a bit nicer but it's a matter of degree here nothing huge. A few razors seem to prefer one over the other but personally I never use one after the other.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

We have to be a bit more specific here Jimmy! Are we talking about the hollow or the solid cinder blocks? do we know the strata that the cinders came from? Is there a makers name or stamp impressed in the block? Are there any glassy inclusions? Has the block been lapped?

Call me Joe Friday, but all I want are the facts....!

Thank you Neil, I should have qualified that statement .... it is a Devonshire oil cinder block.