Where can I find a legit Escher Hone?

So I'm looking to find my "forever" finishing stone and decided on an Escher after reading around. Any ideas on where I can find a real escher stone? I don't mind spending a few bucks but don't want to be ripped off (and I am not experienced enough to be able to hone my blade and know if it was my lack of skill or the stone).

I've been looking around on ebay but how would I possibly be able to tell what I'm looking at?
Like for example, would you trust these?:

E Co Celebrated Water Hone Escher Dark Blue w Slurry Stone Razor Hone | eBay

Vintage Escher Water Razor Hone Sharpening Stone Germany | eBay


There is also a guy who has really good feedback selling stones similar to a thuringian - maybe to hold me over until I find an Escher?? what do you think?:
7" German Grey Thuringian Razor Hone Sharpening Stone Water Hone Escher | eBay

Thanks!!!

- Gene

those links didn't take me any where. Basically you need to have a label for it to be a left Escher. An Escher is a brand or seller of select Thuringian hones. So without the label it really is just another Thuringian. That is not a bad thing, after all, all Escher are Thuringians. Mostly you need to trust the source that they know that the hone is all that you need it to be or be very good at spotting the real deal from pictures. You are on the right track with asking.

Gene,

You'll see them in our classifieds from time to time. Also eBay does have a pretty regular offering, but caution is necessary. Knowing as much as possible about the Eschers is one of the best ways to "not get burned"!!

The links below should help with getting that knowledge.

On your last paragraph, I'm assuming aj???? is who you're referring to. I've bought from him, no problem, but I'd wait for the right Escher to come along.

:gl:

Howard :)

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

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

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

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

You can find them at antique stores, flea markets etc. Optimally you could someone local to you that has one to look at, they are fairly easy to identify once you know what to look for (labels, color, weight and feel)

The classifieds here are a good source, but they don't show up all that often

weird...hopefully these links work

thanks for the feedback

E Co Celebrated Water Hone Escher Dark Blue w Slurry Stone Razor Hone | eBay

Vintage Escher Water Razor Hone Sharpening Stone Germany | eBay

Suehiro 20k will beat any Escher any day in finishing capabilities, get one of those and you will not regret it.

Those are both legit Eschers. There are other hones that are less expensive if you are simply looking for function. On the flip side Eschers are not likely to go down in price any time soon and a current production hone probably has a lesser resale value. It's two schools of thought in the end its a personal decision.

do you think that $500 one is "worth" it? meaning is that pretty close to it's actual "value"?

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Originally Posted by drgenefish

do you think that $500 one is "worth" it? meaning is that pretty close to it's actual "value"?

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We don't do appraisals on SRP because opinions, like other things ....... everybody's got 'em. Check ebay completed items for market prices. As the seller said, dark blues are fine but slow. The yellow/green, light green, blue/green followed by dark blue is the 'pecking order' in general.

Curious. The seller says he sold all of his finishers because this one was the best ......... now it is on the block ? Maybe he quit straights ?

The market on the bay seems to be all over the place so you really need to do some serious research and find four or five competed listing at least. Some will be way off at the average and should be excluded. It's tough trying to figure out values on stuff that doesn't have a solid base. A lot of it hinges around how bad do you want it and how deep are your pockets.

i asked him...he said that he needs the money right now and will get another similar stone in the future. he has decent feedback...i just have no idea how out of line that price is...or if I should just wait around for a better color. I don't mind the price being a little bit high...just like I said I wanna make sure I'm beyond happy with it and have no urge to "upgrade" later down the line.

I'd only buy one from a dealer in such stones, one who will allow you a reasonable time to return it. And be prepared to pay premium dollar for such. I'd never trust an unknown seller, triple never without fair return policy.

I'm still holding on to the chance that I may find one in a junk/antique/estate deal.

edit as we simul-posted: the more desperate a seller the less you have to pay, but also the more s/o/l you'll be if not satisfied. (because he won't have the money to refund.)

any idea where such dealers exist? :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drgenefish

any idea where such dealers exist? :)

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They exist for Jnats. And that's the direction i'd be going if i "had" to have a natural finisher* right now.

You are asking in the right place, but sorry I don't know of any myself. The limited supply is what drives the price. Safest bet might be to get the 20k and just set aside the cash for an Escher to come along, and wait. You might post a WTB in classifieds.

*a legendary natural finisher. I do have Coticule and ZG in house. (and synthetics)