Thread: Using an Escher

A honemeister once told me that an Escher should be used with slurry, at least initially and then dilute as the need arises. I have a light green Escher but have not as yet found the best method of using it. I think more should be written on the subject of Eschers. They seem to be the most mysterious hones in our universe. I would love to know more about them.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

A honemeister once told me that an Escher should be used with slurry, at least initially and then dilute as the need arises. I have a light green Escher but have not as yet found the best method of using it. I think more should be written on the subject of Eschers. They seem to be the most mysterious hones in our universe. I would love to know more about them.

Jerry, I have a lot of info in subscribed threads, on the history of Eschers. Not so much on using them but there is some info on that too. I just played around with different methods when I got a couple to try. I asked a couple of noted honemeisters about them in '08 when I got my first one.

I asked if they used slurry. Both said no. One said he didn't see any point in "dragging my razor through mud." I tried it with slurry anyway because the instructions on the label recommended that. Years ago I messed up all kinds of stuff by reading the instructions after I tried using it. Taught me to read them first.

This was around the same time that some guy from Belgium, can't remember his name, came up with diluting the slurry on a coticule as the honing progressed. So I would do that with the escher and it worked well.

Then some guy from Russia told me to never take an edge to an escher unless it was already shave ready. Said I was just wasting time and valuable stone doing what should have been done with the preceding grits. That was good advice.

Not that I'm an expert by any means. I just try stuff and if it works repeat it. Here are some links to old historical threads on the mysterious Escher, and maybe some on how guys use theirs too ;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ck-labels.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...er-colors.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...en-escher.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...nd-labels.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ing-marks.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...eaks-dots.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...al-combos.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...tructions.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...rtificial.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...alog-page.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...expensive.html

I have been trough many Eschers never got the results people claim they give. My current one is the best of all tried so far.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I have been trough many Eschers never got the results people claim they give. My current one is the best of all tried so far.

Blasphemy !!

Kidding aside, I suppose it depends on expectations, then there are differences in beard and skin. Having been a pro tattoo artist for a couple of decades I can guarantee that skin varies between individuals. I haven't shaved faces but I've shaved hair and fuzz off of thousands of individuals over the years. Poked needles into their hides and they do vary.

Then there is the expectation thing. For instance, do you remember a guy who used to be around, The Topher ? He lived about 30 miles from me, was a budding honemeister, and mentored me in that area when I first came around. He had a 8x3 coticule combo with pink hue in the yellow and a good BBW on the back side.

It was his first coticule and he didn't care for the edges he got off of it. He said they weren't "scary sharp" like those he got with his Shapton pro 15k. So I bought that coticule from him for what he paid and I loved the edges I got with it.

I love the edges I get off of my yellow/green escher more, and certainly more than those I would get off of the Shapton pro 15k I had and sold. Than again, I don't like "scary sharp" edges. I like smooth and gentle but sharp edges. So I don't know if any of this may account for why you've not gotten the results others have claimed. Just thinking out loud.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Blasphemy !!

Kidding aside, I suppose it depends on expectations, then there are differences in beard and skin. Having been a pro tattoo artist for a couple of decades I can guarantee that skin varies between individuals. I haven't shaved faces but I've shaved hair and fuzz off of thousands of individuals over the years. Poked needles into their hides and they do vary.

Then there is the expectation thing. For instance, do you remember a guy who used to be around, The Topher ? He lived about 30 miles from me, was a budding honemeister, and mentored me in that area when I first came around. He had a 8x3 coticule combo with pink hue in the yellow and a good BBW on the back side.

It was his first coticule and he didn't care for the edges he got off of it. He said they weren't "scary sharp" like those he got with his Shapton pro 15k. So I bought that coticule from him for what he paid and I loved the edges I got with it.

I love the edges I get off of my yellow/green escher more, and certainly more than those I would get off of the Shapton pro 15k I had and sold. Than again, I don't like "scary sharp" edges. I like smooth and gentle but sharp edges. So I don't know if any of this may account for why you've not gotten the results others have claimed. Just thinking out loud.

Jimmy that is why I keep on testing he he, from my observations Eschers come in grades as well , so I am looking for the one that will give me that edge.
I will tell you also that for me only very few Jnats actually provide that type of super smooth and sharp edge that I like, without the crispiness. I had to go trough a lot of stones to find what I was looking for. On the synthetic side of the ball, the Suehiro 20k is what delivers for me, on top of the great edge it is a very easy stone to use.

Jimmy & Stefan. Thank you both very much. Your description of the variations, even in iconic stones and differences in skin is very well aimed. One reason I was curious about the G20 about 18 mo back, was the claim of edges in the ballpark of the high-end natural. Having had 4 coticules, 2 thuris and the one Nakayama Asagi, I was happy w/ the edges, but the 'personalities' drove me nuts. Like Stefan, I could not duplicate the sharpness of the asagi on the y/g thuri, though the edge was good. I took the expensive road to jnat, knowing I couldn't afford to buy and sell a bunch of them. In hindsight, I'm okay w/ that decision, though I might do differently now. Its a slow stone, but the asagi edges take backseat to nothing.

Your point, Jimmy, that terrifyingly sharp edges aren't always the best shave - is also very much appreciated, and echoes alot of posts on the old coticule site - including by guys that were quite experienced, and had tasted edges from other skilled honemeisters.

I love hearing these points, largely for the guys learning the stones (myself included). The language around the naturals can get pretty mystical/bodacious, and leads guys to part w/ *alot* of money, chasing these magical properties. The word of perspective is most welcome here.

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 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.

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.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Hey Zib...

Where can you pick up a credit card size Atoma 1200?

WP34

I got mine at Chef's knives to go.

Originally Posted by zib

I got mine at Chef's knives to go.

Thanks Zib!