Thread: Escher or Charnley

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

Originally Posted by CJBianco

So going from coticule to Charnley (skipping the Escher or C12K or whatever) is not a good idea?

Me

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.

Originally Posted by CJBianco

So going from coticule to Charnley (skipping the Escher or C12K or whatever) is not a good idea?

Thanx,
Me

You can do it, but the going is slooow!

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).

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

Originally Posted by CJBianco

Do you own an Escher and a Charnley Forest? Which do you prefer? And why?

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.

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