Thread: special stone only for good razors

La Lune is not an Escher, I am confused?

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the hones were distributed by a french company called Manufrance (note: distributed by them, not made by them). Manufrance, from St Etienne, was formed in 1887/8 and originally manufactured firearms. The name, originally "Manufacture d' Armes de Saint Etienne" (some quote it as "Manufacture Francaise d'Armes et Cycles de St.Etienne") was shortened in 1911. That would mean that the hones with the Manufrance label on them were post 1911.

They were France's first mail order company, with a huge range of goods: cycles, guns, axes, tents, clothes, razors, etc. A lot of the lines were made by third parties. Their label is often seen on the Pierres La Lune (means just 'moonstone') Special Stone. I have seen a few of Manufrance's catalogues on the net but although a good range of straight razors are depicted (mostly of the St Etienne brand, so probably made by or expressly for Manufrance) I can't find one with the moonstone in it. If one of those cataloques could be found (there seem to be quite a few about) with the Pierres La Lune pictured that might shed some more light on the makers of the stone. Manufrance was bought out (or taken over) in 1988, or so I have read.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Disburden

La Lune is not an Escher, I am confused?

The Special Stone is definitely not a thuringian/Escher. What it is...I'm not sure. From what I am getting from this, the La Lune and Special Stone are pretty much the same.

Sebastian had made the announcement of our articles about F.G.B.C. here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...lleau-cie.html

but i thought to put it here as well