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Thread: escher for maintenance honing.

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    Still Learning ezpz's Avatar
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    Default escher for maintenance honing.

    Does anyone use an escher only (no other hones in addition) for maintaining a razor indefinitely? how effective is this? is this something that was common in the past?

    i've heard some people say that when honing from a 1k bevel setter on up to escher one should reach a 12k hone before heading to the escher as the escher will polish slowly, but do little to actually sharpen. what do people think of this idea? any reason why a 1k->4k->8k->escher progression wouldnt be as satisfactory?

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    Master of insanity Scipio's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ezpz View Post
    Does anyone use an escher only (no other hones in addition) for maintaining a razor indefinitely? how effective is this? is this something that was common in the past?

    Amongst other finishing hones, I use a 'Barber's Delight' genus of Escher, which is basically a yellow-green. I am very certain one could use an Escher to maintain an edge indefinitely, the provisio of course being that one does not chip the razor etc. I am also certain that this was highly common in the past, particularly in Germany. It would also have been quite popular in the US, as were barber hones.

    i've heard some people say that when honing from a 1k bevel setter on up to escher one should reach a 12k hone before heading to the escher as the escher will polish slowly, but do little to actually sharpen. what do people think of this idea? any reason why a 1k->4k->8k->escher progression wouldnt be as satisfactory?
    I do not have an artificial hone past my 8K Naniwa. I have successfully honed 1-4-8-Escher, with the application of slurry before finishing on just water on the Escher. (As regards to finishing with water alone or slurry on an Escher is another controversial topic). It would certainly be easier and require less strokes on the (considerably more valuable/rarer) Escher if one was to employ a 12K hone prior to the Escher, but I for one do not need to do so and I am sure several others would confirm this.

    My coticule leaves a finer finish than the 8K and at times as I have used it as an intermediate between the 8K and the Escher; however in my experience it just is not needed. Some may tell you the 12k is preferable because the Escher is rarer and its against your interest to 'wear it down,' but I highly doubt you are going to wear it down anytime soon, or at all. My Escher was around a long time before me and I am sure should any of my successors decide to use it, it will too outlive their successors.
    Geezer, Steel and AndrewJM like this.

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    Master of insanity Scipio's Avatar
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    BTW, if you do decide to get an Escher, please post pics. These are my favourite finishers and in my opinion out rival ALL other finishers. And I've tried a fair few!

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    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
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    Cool

    1-4-8 or 1-3-8 here also, then the Escher...

    The trick to finishing this way is to be a shaving sharp before the finisher, I feel very comfortable at "Shaving Sharp" off of either my Norton 8k or the Naniwa 8k if you don't, then go higher first..

    My finishing routine is about 20 Pigtail strokes with a light slurry then dilute out to clear water over the next 20-30 stokes... This gives me that buttery feel to the edge that Eschers and good Thuringens are known for...

    So pretty much I agree with Scipio


    Edit: I misread part of your question, and Yes you can use the Escher as part of a One Stone Honing regime look at the thread on it that Lynn and I did ..
    Last edited by gssixgun; 03-19-2011 at 01:34 PM.
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    aka shooter74743 ScottGoodman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ezpz View Post
    Does anyone use an escher only (no other hones in addition) for maintaining a razor indefinitely? how effective is this? is this something that was common in the past?

    i've heard some people say that when honing from a 1k bevel setter on up to escher one should reach a 12k hone before heading to the escher as the escher will polish slowly, but do little to actually sharpen. what do people think of this idea? any reason why a 1k->4k->8k->escher progression wouldnt be as satisfactory?
    It would work, but your 8K may work better if your razor starts to pull, then use the Escher to polish/refine the edge.

    On the progression, to be direct...no, you don't need anything over 8K before Escher. Key is though, you must have the razor shave ready at 8K. Ensure your razor is shave ready at 8K by shaving with it, then refine the edge on Escher. Use Escher with a light slurry, then dilute to just water you will have no problems at all.
    Last edited by ScottGoodman; 03-19-2011 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Clarification
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    Quote Originally Posted by ezpz View Post
    Does anyone use an escher only (no other hones in addition) for maintaining a razor indefinitely? how effective is this? is this something that was common in the past?

    i've heard some people say that when honing from a 1k bevel setter on up to escher one should reach a 12k hone before heading to the escher as the escher will polish slowly, but do little to actually sharpen. what do people think of this idea? any reason why a 1k->4k->8k->escher progression wouldnt be as satisfactory?
    I use some intermediate finisher stones before I take the razor to the Escher or any high grade Thuringian stone. Saves on the Escher. Learn your final finishers. My 2cents.
    MIke

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    I routinely go to my Escher at the end of my honing routines or following the 8K. I have used, 1-3-8K, 1-4-8K and 1-5-8K followed by the Escher with great results. Typically, I use 10 no pressure X strokes with just water to finish on the Escher and in most cases, the razor is ready to go. It is one of the best finishing stones I have.

    You can also use your Escher for refreshing and again I just use 7-10 no pressure X strokes with water.

    Have fun,

    Lynn

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    Still Learning ezpz's Avatar
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    thanks for the replys.. once i get back a few other razors ill try maintenance honing with my escher alone.

    i have a barbers delight escher. also a 1k, broken 4k (barely usable, fine as a slurry stone), 8k, swaty, slow coti (something like 7"x1.5") a fast coti (4"x0.5" still very usable).. ive got a few other hones elsewhere..
    i wish i had a good 4k to work with so i could move from 1k to 8k without bridging with 4k slurry on my swaty, or skipping the 4k altogether..

    my razor is a smiling near wedge, wide bevel and wide spine wear..i think the wide bevel and spine wear might slow my work down a bit.. but i think the smile slows me down a lot by reducing the amount of contact i get in a stroke.

    i could picture using a swaty and an escher to more easily maintain an edge..

    i last honed my razor with a coti, when it starts to pull should i hit the swaty and maybe the escher? straight to the escher?

    my sense is that even 30 xstrokes on water with the esher wouldnt bring it back. this may because its a smiling blade that requires more, or that it requires slurry to compensate for any slurry dulling off the coti.

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    Modine MODINE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ezpz View Post
    thanks for the replys.. once i get back a few other razors ill try maintenance honing with my escher alone.

    i have a barbers delight escher. also a 1k, broken 4k (barely usable, fine as a slurry stone), 8k, swaty, slow coti (something like 7"x1.5") a fast coti (4"x0.5" still very usable).. ive got a few other hones elsewhere..
    i wish i had a good 4k to work with so i could move from 1k to 8k without bridging with 4k slurry on my swaty, or skipping the 4k altogether..

    my razor is a smiling near wedge, wide bevel and wide spine wear..i think the wide bevel and spine wear might slow my work down a bit.. but i think the smile slows me down a lot by reducing the amount of contact i get in a stroke.

    i could picture using a swaty and an escher to more easily maintain an
    edge..

    i last honed my razor with a coti, when it starts to pull should i hit the swaty and maybe the escher? straight to the escher?

    my sense is that even 30 xstrokes on water with the esher wouldnt bring it back. this may because its a smiling blade that requires more, or that it requires slurry to compensate for any slurry dulling off the coti.
    ezpz lemon squeez-ee,

    I would do like Lynn suggested and go from the 8K to the Escher. If you have a big smiley you will need to do a rolling X or half moon stroke on the 8K. You have to get the smiling edge consistent from heel to tip before you can move to the Escher or you will become frustrated.

    Depending on how much hone wear is on the spine you may need to tape. I don't like to tape but it can bring the angle back to what the OEM had intended for the blade.

    You can do some passes with "gulp" slurry from the Escher, it will cut. then finish with just water and 7 to 12 feather light passes. This is why I use intermediate stones prior to my Eschers. I have used a Barbers Delight and it is an extremely fine stone. I hope this helps , have fun and practice.
    Mike

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    Still Learning ezpz's Avatar
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    yeah, i do rolling x's on all my hones, except for maybe my 4"x0.5" coti as it does it for me. i don't think my bevel angle has changed much at all. i also use the hht to check my edge all over.

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