Info please: "The Celebrated German Water Hone"

Would those of you who know, advise please on exactly what I have here; ("water hone" doesn't tell me much), and where it would fit in my honing progression? Dimensions are 2-1/2 x 5 inches. The lettering in the diamond says, I believe, "TTO" or "TTC". It's smudged and hard to read.

The finest grained hone I have now is the "Chi-12K", but this feels smoother than that.

I have looked in the database, but being new to this I may not have been looking in the right place so thanks for any info or a link. Thanks.

Escher stones have those dimensions, but since the label does not sate the manufacturer I would speculate it's a thuringian..
That should be capable of producing better edges than the C12k.

+1 with Stefan...

There is a saying to remember, "All Eschers are Thuringens not all Thuringens are Eschers" try that baby out and let us now how it goes...

BTW I would put it in the progression, in place of the CH12k for the first try

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Escher stones have those dimensions, but since the label does not sate the manufacturer I would speculate it's a thuringian..
That should be capable of producing better edges than the C12k.

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I just found this in the Hones Comparison Table here: Hones - comparison table - Straight Razor Place Wiki

"Other hones made by Escher (grit rating 12K) with different labels were, The Celebrated German Water Razor Hone-[emphasis mine],Barber's Delight,and Barber's Choice."

I'm wondering; does this imply that this actually is an "Escher Stone" or is it more likely that this stone is not "up to" the standards of a "brand named" Escher and therefore marketed more generically?*

*(Yeah, I know. The true test is how it performs, but hey, I'm new and it's still all so exciting... :) )

Vintage Thuringian - may be an escher as stated above as it is the standard size of those Escher barbers hones.

I would use it in place of the C12K. I have a vintage Thuri (celebrated water hone) and escher and they both put on a better edge than a coti. I slightly prefer the escher (dark blue to the thuri being grey) and it is an easier size to hone on (7x1.5" vs 5x1").

Nice find!

Since it is selected for barber use, it is hard to believe that it would not be an superior finisher. I like the fact you have the original rubber and it is a nice size to hold in your palm and the 2.5 in wide makes it easier. Take your time and use the slurry, they cut slow.

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Originally Posted by Harvitz81

Vintage Thuringian - may be an escher as stated above as it is the standard size of those Escher barbers hones.

I would use it in place of the C12K. I have a vintage Thuri (celebrated water hone) and escher and they both put on a better edge than a coti. I slightly prefer the escher (dark blue to the thuri being grey) and it is an easier size to hone on (7x1.5" vs 5x1").

Nice find!

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Thank you for that. My neighbor, a garage sale enthusiast, said he found it for $10 bucks and picked it up thinking I might like to have it.

I had to beg him to take $15 for it.

Those stones are just like escher, good job.

Just for an FYI I just saw one of these sell for 350.00 if you needed some perspective LOL. :mace: