Thread: Using an Escher

So, guys, esp. Jimmy, are you saying a gokumyo 20k edge is as good as an Escher?

On a personal note, I was bored last night, so I did 60 laps with slurry, and another 60 without just to see what would happen. Nothing.
It was better with 15 just water.
But it sure felt nice.

Yes I think it is that good if not better. Just IMHO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well I hate to stimulate you to part with more of the celebrated long green, but like Sterfan said, among synthetics the Gokomyo 20k is second to none IME. I'd say it is probably equal to, or even surpasses most naturals. YMMV.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Jimmy this a bold statement with which I agree 100%. Right now if some one new to honing asked me what finisher to get I'd say Suehiro Gokumyio 20k and forget about naturals. For the stricken by HAD, we have to go trough the paces there is simply no other ways around it.

Couldn't resist any longer. I've had the Gokumyo bookmarked for about 6 months, but with the Shapton 16k I kept holding off. I ordered it late Wednesday night and Stuart said it should ship today, Japan time, which would be tonight here.

My long green is getting shorter.

Howard

Not to derail this thread, but I've had my Gokumyo 20k for about a week now. I can honestly say that the edge rivals the best JNAT/Escher/Coticule edges I've ever felt against my face. It is a very nice stone that is worth every penny IMHO....And it's VERY easy to use...30 strokes and you're done!!

Originally Posted by jpcwon

Not to derail this thread, but I've had my Gokumyo 20k for about a week now. I can honestly say that the edge rivals the best JNAT/Escher/Coticule edges I've ever felt against my face. It is a very nice stone that is worth every penny IMHO....And it's VERY easy to use...30 strokes and you're done!!

So my How to use an Escher thread has turned into Buy a Gokumyo. That's cool, I think I will buy one at some point. On another note, is it possible to safely remove the waterstones from their plastic base? It's one thing I like about naturals, they're just natural.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

So my How to use an Escher thread has turned into Buy a Gokumyo. That's cool, I think I will buy one at some point. On another note, is it possible to safely remove the waterstones from their plastic base? It's one thing I like about naturals, they're just natural.

This has been an interesting thread. What is natural really? Is natural always better? Poison Ivy and Crude Oil are natural, lol. Why are we sentimental to natural? I am and I don't know why. Do I start fires by rubbing sticks together for a more 'natural' experience? These are questions we can ponder forever.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

So my How to use an Escher thread has turned into Buy a Gokumyo. That's cool, I think I will buy one at some point. On another note, is it possible to safely remove the waterstones from their plastic base? It's one thing I like about naturals, they're just natural.

The gokomyo does not come attached to a base. It does have a rubber holder/base included. IIRC I read a thread where a guy tried removing the naniwa superstone from its base and it didn't end well.

Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

This has been an interesting thread. What is natural really? Is natural always better? Poison Ivy and Crude Oil are natural, lol. Why are we sentimental to natural? I am and I don't know why. Do I start fires by rubbing sticks together for a more 'natural' experience? These are questions we can ponder forever.

I know what you mean. Part of the reason I was attracted to shaving with straight razors partly because of the historical aspect. That is part of why I am attracted to some natural hones. Taking an old Sheffield razor that is 150 or 200 years old to an Escher or a coticule is something that just turns me on. The great shaves I can get, if I do my part, is icing on the cake.

So in spite of how much I like the edges off of the Suehiro Gokomyo, I will still be taking razors to the Escher or sometimes the coticule. The G20K is a great finisher but it doesn't have the historical cool factor.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

...Part of the reason I was attracted to shaving with straight razors partly because of the historical aspect. That is part of why I am attracted to some natural hones. Taking an old Sheffield razor that is 150 or 200 years old to an Escher or a coticule is something that just turns me on. The great shaves I can get, if I do my part, is icing on the cake...

"There's the Rub" as Shakespeare once said! The nostalgic aspect of collecting pieces of history and performing the same tasks in the same fashion with the same tools as those that have gone before in long ago times is a huge part of this passion AFAIC...perhaps the biggest part.

At this current time in the history of our country (the USA) it's very easy, and for my part very desirable to be nostalgic about so much that 'used to be'!

And...although I do use modern tools to good effect...it's hard to be nostalgic about a "Gokomyo hone".

That's my opinion FWIW...

WP34

Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

Do I start fires by rubbing sticks together for a more 'natural' experience? These are questions we can ponder forever.

Well two sticks are pretty big and uncomfortable to carry around, in comparison to a cigarette lighter. On the same note, the stones glued to a plastic base are oversized and uncomfortable compared to just a stone by itself. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The gokomyo does not come attached to a base. It does have a rubber holder/base included. IIRC I read a thread where a guy tried removing the naniwa superstone from its base and it didn't end well.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I was thinking of removing naniwa from base, but that answers that question. That's a shame.