Thread: Are thie Eschers so worthwhile ?

I was wondering how the Eschers are reachinbg so high prices.

VINTAGE ESCHER & CO. WATER RAZOR HONE - eBay (item 290530826466 end time Feb-09-11 08:46:01 PST)

Do they stand for the legend ?

Cheers all,

Wal

This one is a yellow green which seems to be the most popular color because of it's speed and it's huge: 9 13/16" x 2" x 7/8".

The Escher label is a proof of quality and adds to it's collectors value.

I would give my firstborn for that stone .... but I'm 62 and never had any kids .. the seller would probably want more than that anyway. It is apparently worth it to two individuals. I have one that is 7x1&9/16ths and I like it a lot. Dunno what it is worth. Depends on the day of the week with ebay and who is looking, how much disposable income they have. I was going to bid on that one but it went beyond where I would go. YMMV.

if you know what are you doing it is worth every penny you spend on it.
gl

To me, this is the best evidence yet that we're in the middle of an Escher price bubble. I'd bet a nickel that this will collapse in a year or so. $800 for a rock is absurd, kind of like $500,000 for a 3/2 home in Stockton. The crows are enjoying those homes now...

I couldn't agree more. I''m so glad I go my Escher's when they were affordable. I saw that, it makes me want to sell a couple...I have a really nice Y/G with a complete label, but it's the standard 7x1.5 which, as Sham stated, is fine if you know what your doing.
Another 2 L and .5 width, doesn't matter to me...It's just nice to have...

Here's some pics, The one in the middle I use often. I got it from Lynn a long time ago. The one on the far right, with the really good label, is really Y/g. It's one of the nicer one's I've seen. I have two other's in boxes with complete labels...

They're a great finisher, but I don't think they're worth 800.00 IMHO.

There are hone collectors out there who don't use them.

I guess a vintage piece in that size and condition was worth much to a few people. I have one and it's a great finisher but in the end there is no magic.

I would rather have an Escher that cost 600.00$ then a new coticule 8x3 that now cost 450.00-500.00$, I'm just saying it's all relative.

Eschers being high in price really isn't that new. One that was large y/g and mint condition sold in the classifieds here a few months ago for over 700.00. I have seen dark blue ones with boxes and labels go on Ebay for over 500$, etc.

For people that buy these hones, it's not just for the shaving purpose, we are collectors, like people that buy $5000.00 paintings or sculptures. We have these things because they are collectible, rare, and old.

If you are personally not interested in that then you can buy a Shapton set for the same amount of money (or more with the 30K and the lapping plate) or a Naniwa set for less money and live with that forever and be happy. Others aren't happy with that, we want to collect antiques as well as have great shaves too, it's a duality in the hobby.

Personally I am one of those people that like Old Natural hones. I don't want to just own a norton and a naniwa 12K, they work great, but I want to collect old things too.

I own an Escher or two and I enjoy their use and their collectible value as well. Some razors go on ebay that are old and mint for 200-300USD which is comparable.

8x3 Coticules are now 450-500, really....Where have I been....?

About 1 year ago, you could get a 7x1.5 Escher for about 200.00

While I love my Escher Y/G, at this point in my straight razor journey I sometimes wonder if I should have just opted to send the razors to someone for honing. $800 buys a bunch of honing, 40 razors @ $20 each if my math is right, plus postage. Add a barber hone for touch-up and you're good to go.

Of course if you're like most of us and end up with more than 40 razors, the investment in stones begins to look worthwhile.

Or if your a do-it-yourself type.

Or if you just like the stones.

Or if you think honing your own razors is cool and self-reliant.

Or...............

You get the idea.

So I think that if you want only a couple of razors, or a seven day set, and are not going to purchase more (good luck with that), and don't want the hassle of learning how to hone, go with sending them out. Otherwise you're doomed like the rest of us that realize that 40 razors are going to pass through our hands in a heartbeat and that sending them for honing out is really not an option.

Yes the stone is expensive, so is the alternative. Any further justification needed?