Thread: The Celebrated Water Razor Hone

I was told that this hone is the same as the Escher under another brand name. Is this true? I received the hone new so I started to lap it to see the true color which I will describe as a blue-gray. I'll enclose some pics - would appreciate if anyone can give me some info on it. Thanks.

yes

Originally Posted by Zomax

I was told that this hone is the same as the Escher under another brand name. Is this true? I received the hone new so I started to lap it to see the true color which I will describe as a blue-gray. I'll enclose some pics - would appreciate if anyone can give me some info on it. Thanks.

yes

They are just as good as escher hones, although they take more work because of their size, use a lot of laps. I own one and an Escher, they're both the same as each other as far as fineness.

I'm not an expert, but I have one exactly like yours. These 5x1 stones are acknowledged to be Thuringian water hones. Escher was a brand/distributor of Thuringians, possibly of select quality, but still Thurry stones.

It is a fine finisher, giving superlative edges to some razors, shaveable edges to most any blade. As a finisher, I'd rate it as some finer than my best coti finishers, on a par with my Nakayamas. Throw a towel over them.

Good find.

Originally Posted by Zomax

I was told that this hone is the same as the Escher under another brand name. Is this true? I received the hone new so I started to lap it to see the true color which I will describe as a blue-gray. I'll enclose some pics - would appreciate if anyone can give me some info on it. Thanks.

Hey Steve, it looks like mine only yours looks way bigger. You suck.

This Wiki article credits Escher as making the CGWS:
Escher Hones - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Also, read this thread:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ater-hone.html

Not that you asked, but the bay recently had a 5X3 go for over $300, so again, you officially suck.

Really great finisher. Nice find!

I don't think the one in the post is big, the old Thuringians in those wooden boxes are always the same 1X5 size from what I have seen.

I recall in the past a couple people buying them off of ebay and being completely shocked at their size when they showed up in the mail. I suspect the transition off a Norton might take some adjustment for a beginner!

They tend to be very good hones.

Originally Posted by Disburden

I don't think the one in the post is big, the old Thuringians in those wooden boxes are always the same 1X5 size from what I have seen.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I recall in the past a couple people buying them off of ebay and being completely shocked at their size when they showed up in the mail...They tend to be very good hones.

Do you guys think the size indicates they may be good to use sink-side, if the smoothness of the shave is falling off? I've never done this, I just strop some more, but I'm all about options.

Yes, you can use an Escher/Thuringian for touchups. They work well for that. You can start with 10 to 20 strokes and then strop and shave. You may need to repeat that the next day if the shave is still not up to snuff. You may need more strokes. Just experiment and make sure it doesn't fall off the sink.

It looks just like a thurington I recieved not long ago, it was only 1 in x 5 in , I personally did not care for working with such a narrow stone. What size is that hone.