Do you own an Escher and a Charnley Forest? Which do you prefer? And why?
Thanx,
Christopher
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Do you own an Escher and a Charnley Forest? Which do you prefer? And why?
Thanx,
Christopher
Neither would replace the other, the Escher comes after the coticle, the Charnley comes after the Escher.
Kelly's got it BANG on. In fact to add, I find the Escher to be an extremely versatile stone an often go from 8K to Escher diluting a slurry missing the coti.
But to answer you're question the Charnley refines the Escher's edge a degree more. Noticeably more, however the Escher leaves a super edge. Which do I prefer - I can not say, I USE them both.
What are you finishing on now?
So going from coticule to Charnley (skipping the Escher or C12K or whatever) is not a good idea?
Thanx,
Me
They are both really good finishers.
I seem to prefer my edges finished on the Escher,but the CF does a fine job as well.
I've had the Escher the longest, so my conclusions may change down the road:)
I have not tried it, but I imagine that as long as it is a good finishing coticule, that raising a slurry on the Charnley would allow it to bridge the gap for you, then finish with just water.Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
You can do it, but the going is slooow!Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
IMO Charnley forest stones just aren't worth the money the way an Escher is. They are getting higher and higher in price lately and are hitting Escher type prices, a year ago you could buy one for 50.00$. I really wanted one for a while but then I already have an Escher and to pay another 300.00 on a stone just to add to the Escher at the end of my progression just didn't seem worth it.
I mean 300.00$? I can buy a Japanese Natural and Naguras for that price and have a lot more diversity with it (which is what I did).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disburden
I agree to a great extent, if I had known these rocks were to go through the roof I would have stocked up on them, putting them somewhere between the MREs and the AK rounds!:rofl2:
I fall into the either or category with mine. I find both the Escher and the Charnley to be great finishers off the 8K with just water.
Have fun.
Lynn
I appreciate the feedback, guys. Personally, I'm not too concerned with the price. (Both stones are expensive.) Mostly the finishing characteristics. I guess what I'm really wondering is if it's worth having a Charnley in the collection if I already own an Escher.
Thanx,
Me
Depends on how bad you have HAD I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
I'll be able to answer this in due time as I have an escher and recently scored a Charnley for $150 that is on it's way to me.
As said before, it is a HAD issue!
Amen, brother.Quote:
Originally Posted by nun2sharp
Me
I've been wanting a Charnley for some time, I always seem to just miss one, now that the prices are so high, I think I'll pass. I have Escher's, J nat's and even a Shapton 16k among countless other hones...I don't think a Charnley will really do much for me. I'm trying to convince myself I don't need it....
BTW, I love the edge I get off an Escher w/slurry, slowly watered down until I'm just using plain water on it...what a nice edge it gives.....
Exactly, Zib, with owning an Escher, a Naniwa 12K, I had a Shapton 16 which I just sold, A jnat on the way, etc... Just doesn't seem worth the price.
But maybe if we keep talking about how they aren't that big of a deal the price will go down and we can grab one! :rofl2::beer1:
I really like both stones. As far as inflated costs go, both are affected by this issue to the same degree, so that is a side issue as far as I am concerned - if either stone was still commercially available I'm sure the price would not be as high - or maybe it would, seeing as they would have rather limited demand! Sure enough, you could pick up a CF for little money back in the day, but back in its day a Penny Black stamp was worth a penny. I haven't got a time machine, so I don't concern myself with what-ifs.
I have used CFs with oil, water, slurry, no slurry and have got outstanding edges. I have also got outstanding edges from eschers. The one thing I like about eschers is the smoothness - I usually have to knock back the CF edge with chrome oxide to make it smoother - I find that it gives a very crisp, sharp edge otherwise that my particular skin type is not happy with. I also find that the very hard, glassy nature of the stone is very uncompromising and that an escher with slurry slowly diluted to water is a bit more forgiving and softer.
I have had a number of JNats too - one I have kept is on a par with a 30k shapton GS and I keep it because I can use it with slurry. Some razors that seem prone to micro-chiiping will only get by (in my experience - others no doubt will find differently) with slurry. In these cases a hybrid BBW with a lot of coticule inclusions, an MST thuringian and the JNat is my chosen course.
My standard finisher, though - because it is dependable and gives consistent results - is slowly emerging as a 30k Shapton GS. It gives the smooth, buttery finish that I like, like I get with eschers and that I don't get with CFs, and a finer edge than either of the other stones. Not all steels can take it, though. And it is horrendously expensive for what it is - a sliver of ceramic hone on a bit of glass. That takes it into the same price bracket as eschers and CFs as far as I am concerned. And it is nowhere near as pretty as a nicely figured CF!
I guess you pay your money and make your choice - the value of a high-end finisher is not just related to its finishing qualities - imponderables such as collector value, rarity, historical perspective, attractiveness, perceived value-for-money all enter into it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks when these intangibles are taken into consideration.
Regards,
Neil
I often thought about buying a Charnley. or to exchange an escher against you, because I have escher fourth for 2 years I think. But I have all the Naniwa, a Nakayama and some of Escher.
when I think how long you have to grind with a Charnley. and no slurry. and oil.
Jnat escher and are quick with slurry. Charnley's sado ..... I would rather save and buy another ozuku.
I have both and am an "either/or" person after 16K. What you will run into is finding a quality CF is tough, where if you get a true Escher, you WILL have a good stone. My first finisher was a CF, bought from a respected razor guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by CJBianco
My recommendations:
Either
Only buy guaranteed stones that are good for straight razors.
If you get a CF, get a longer stone around 10-12" as they are 2-3x slower than a normal 7" Escher.
Try to find someone within driving distance to you and try out their finishers...
Scott