Thread: Expensive hones?

I was browsing the classifieds, looking for a strop and I ended up seeing that theres a hone on there for over 500 bucks?

Im wondering......What makes a hone so expensive? Is it some kinf of Martian Diamond hone or something?

Im not critisizing the listers price but I was thinking...what is the nature of the hone that fetches a price like that? Rarity, collectibillity, the brand?

Eventually Ill get into honing (after I get a decent shaver going) so Im just curious.


Eric

Ability, rarity and demand!

What makes the price of anything what it is; what people will pay for something.
If people will continue to pay a price for something then that is the price of that item, but if sales drop off, then the price will drop.
I know it sounds facetious, but I am serious. I do not have any trouble with what anyone charges on the classifieds, but if the market states that this stone is worth $XXXXXXX then that is what it is worth. Attributing reasoning behind this is a near impossibility. For some people it is just conformation to the market, for others it is performance, for others it is collectibility; This is the basis for all economy.
It can be frustrating for certain groups who share a commodity. Case in point is str8s. There are those who collect scales or blades and those who use them and others who just think they are cool. These groups are all competing for the number of str8s available at any point in time. This is why in an area like where I live there are str8s in antique stores that sell for $30-100 and people will pay these prices despite the no-name brands/high hone wear/broken blades/rusted out blades...

Sorry, rambling.
-G

I assume you're referring to an Escher. These come from Thuringia, a state in Germany and were mined by Pike an Co. The mines are now closed and Eschers are technically extinct, meaning that no more will ever be produced. They constantly go for those sort of prices on ebay, sometimes a little less, sometimes more.

They are said to be rare, however alot of members here have them. Outside SRP perhaps they are rare. I see pictures of them on a regular basis so it is hard for me to associate them as rare! I'd say Water of Ayr stones are quite rare. But I digress. So to further my point, they are rare and they are said by many to be among the ultimate finishing hones. I have one and can attest that they leave and incredibly smooth edge, arguably nicer than a Charnley Forest.

A few years ago they could be had for comparatively very little. Some people buy them just to gaze at without ever using them. Grab one while you can, inflation is imminent!

They may have been referring to that NOS Norton stone. I looked at it early on, and said "I wont be able to afford that" and HOLY FRIGGIN EXCREMENTAL REFUSE was I right!
Last I looked it was over 700.

Fortunately you don't need a rare collectible to hone your razors to shave ready. The trusty workhorse, the Norton 4/8 combo, can be had for less than $100.00 or the Naniwas or Shaptons for a few dollars more. The natural stones can run into some $ for those so inclined but they aren't a necessity.

Well, that hone is gone!

I don't remember if it was that Escher or not, but the 525 hone is not there anymore. But since I am a collector of other things (Synthesizers, new and vintage and their related equipment) I do know about market fluctuations and such, but I was wondering what about the hone specifically made it warrant such a high price.


Man I had no idea that getting into shaving was going to entail so much!

Eric

You can get your razor going for a lot less!

It is all a matter of getting a razor a teeny weeny bit sharper than you used to get it with your best hone until you got your latest toy.

A 10-12 K hone is all you need. I am now getting to the point that the Nakayama gets my edges too sharp.