Thread: Speed of Escher/Thuringain?

I've read a ton about how slow the Peoples Hone (C12K) cuts, but nothing at all about the speed of a vintage Thuringian (Escher-type). I recently added a big, juicy Hohenzollern / Droescher (vintage Thuringian) stone to my collection, and I'd like an idea of what to expect.

Thanx,
Christopher =)

Try and see how it goes.
From what Jimmy said , different color Eschers have different speeds, yellow green being the fastest IIRC.

I usually test out finishers by doing 10 strokes, cutting a hair, doing 10 more, cutting a hair, doing 10 more, cutting a hair etc etc. I stop whenever I stop noticing an improvement, and that's usually a good guideline.

On my vintage Thurry, I usually do about 30 strokes, and that number has been dropping as I experiment more. Not sure what color it would be considered, as it's the only one I have.

As a finisher right???
Your not asking how fast it cuts being used like they do with Coticules and slurry are you???

Anyway as a finisher only, I do the same thing with all Naturals and adjust from there...

Very light slurry 10 laps to "train" the razor to the stone, then about 20 laps with clear water... I have never moved away from that with my Thuringen but try 5 laps more and 5 laps less and see what happens..

The tip I got from Sham, and I like it, is to use a Thuringan/Escher after the 12k level. I always used to use it after the 8 and that works too. Not sure about how fast. I just mess with it until I feel like it is where it ought to be. I never really pay that much attention to speed. Honing razors is good for developing patience IME. If you don't have it when you begin to hone you'll acquire it if you stick with it.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

As a finisher right???
Your not asking how fast it cuts being used like they do with Coticules and slurry are you???

Yes, as a finisher.

And I realize that I might find the answer on my own by experimenting, but I thought it might be nice to start a public thread about it and maybe add a few helpful keywords like speed, cutting, fast, slow. That's all.

(I didn't know the different color Eschers had different cutting speeds. Interesting news.)

Thanx,
Me

I'm probably not using mine correctly, but I don't find that the Escher stones (or Thuringians for that matter) do any "cutting" at all. They seem to smooth and polish, and you can feel that the edge is sharper after even a few strokes (I like 30-50 myself), but I don't notice much if any actual metal is removed during the process.

I just got my Thurry this afternoon and lapped and used it right away.
Although I am far from an expert, especially because my damn wrist keeps dipping on the draw stroke even though I know I am doing it!
Anyway, I see it does sharpen as well as polishes but the big difference I notice is it does not cause micro teeth from overhoning so far. I get that when I tilt and with this I have done around 50 strokes with not one crack!
You gotta love that
As far at what grit it is, I am feeling around 10-12K but it is the first day so I will know more by the end of the weekend after I have used it on a few different blades.
As far as color, mine is a dark blue, the slurry cuts quick, and with water finishes great as well as polishes when super light touch is used. I think
it is going to make me a better honer getting to know it and how it fits in with my other stones.
I have yet to get a Jnat as others have mentioned because of the risk of getting a subpar stone while paying a premium price. I know one day I will do it but I need to research a bit first.
Happy Honing


Straight Razors Sharpen The Mind

Originally Posted by CJBianco

I've read a ton about how slow the Peoples Hone (C12K) cuts, but nothing at all about the speed of a vintage Thuringian (Escher-type). I recently added a big, juicy Hohenzollern / Droescher (vintage Thuringian) stone to my collection, and I'd like an idea of what to expect.

Thanx,
Christopher =)

If you are planning to use your Stone as a sharpening stone ? Then Big SORRY .
what you have is a Escher and to use it
as a finisher You have to get your blade Shave ready condition before you move to your stone.
This is why so many people have problems with Escher's.
Everyone thinks this stone is Magic .
After trying couple razor's they just give up or say Escher doesn't do nothing.
the right way to use Escher use it as a finisher.
Move to it Only when you are on your last stage of honing.
Generally i will never go before 12k level.
i think to move before 12k to the escher is just waste of time and Escher.
I used to say if you are ending up making more then 20-30 strokes on escher and don't feel differences on your edge -- ?
This means you have move to the Escher too early.
Go back to your early stone and finish the sharpening before moving to Escher.
i hope i did emphasize enough how important when to move to Escher.
hope this helps
GL

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

as a finisher You have to get your blade Shave ready condition before you move to your stone.

Huge plus 1

I think Sham is dead on with this statement, finishers are just that...