Thread: What's the appeal of Eschers?

So, I've been reading a lot lately about Escher stones, but a search of the forum doesn't show up very much information - my assumptions are that they are a natura finishing stone (like a yellow Coticule) and that there are regular Eschers and the more desirable yellow-green Eschers. Thats pretty much all that I've been able to pick up.

A Google search of Escher only bombarded me with a bunch of pictures from some cross-eyed architect with a serous case of astigmatism (no wonder engineers think architects are a bunch of flakes!)

Here, build this one!

Up the Down Staircase

This is just creepy!

This one's OK

...anyhoo...what's the appeal of Escher hones? Where do they come from? And why are they (evidently) so high priced?

-whatever

-Lou

I like Escher stuff - it's surprising and provocative... makes you Think outside the box (which is what the hat I'm wearing right now says, as well as Life is Good)

As for the stones - I like the labels
and I have been getting great edges with what I have... but haven't really tried the green/yellow and would like to. The fact that it's somewhat hard to get, expensive, and favored by rabbis adds to the appeal, I guess

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by izlat

...As for the stones - I like the labels ...

Cheers
Ivo

So, can you purchase a newly quarried Escher? ie are they still producing them? And if so, who sells them?

Thanks

-Lou

Originally Posted by izlat

...haven't really tried the green/yellow and would like to. The fact that it's somewhat hard to get, expensive, and favored by rabbis adds to the appeal, I guess

I think this probably hits the nail on the head.

Between the rabbis and the straight shavers, the ebay prices are soaring.

Also, Tony has posted a lot of info in the last few months about eschers and thuringens, the difference between green/yellow and blue/gray, the reasons for rabbinical preferences and so on, so people are more onto the eschers now even than before.

Combination of history, tradition, ritual and mysticism. Straight shavers are pretty susceptible to all this. Plus the cool labels.

The way I figure it, by the time we're handing stuff on to our grandkids, an original Tony's 4-sided paddle strop is gonna have more cachet than a pea-green German rock. They'll be going for $200 on ebay, more if it's one of the first-edition 1.5 inch...

Lynn uses one, Tony Miller occasionally has them for sale.

I had a very few new old stock Thuringen hones which are the same as the Eschers. Escher was located, or at least quarried in Thuringen Germany. As I had such a limited supply I listed one on eBay and it sold 2 weeks ago. I am working on getting a few more if possible as I have leads on some. I have no idea of a time frame and usually my Rabbi customers have standing orders for any stones like this I can get. These I tend to sell from my own collection and usually not as part of my strop business.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

I had a very few new old stock Thuringen hones which are the same as the Eschers. Escher was located, or at least quarried in Thuringen Germany. As I had such a limited supply I listed one on eBay and it sold 2 weeks ago. I am working on getting a few more if possible as I have leads on some. I have no idea of a time frame and usually my Rabbi customers have standing orders for any stones like this I can get. These I tend to sell from my own collection and usually not as part of my strop business.

Tony

Are you referring to this one? : http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Escher-Thuri...QQcmdZViewItem

I followed it and was gobsmacked by the price it fetched.

Kess,
Yes, that would be the one. Like I said, Rabbis will pay a lot for these.

Tony

Well, as everyone should know by now, Kees has the world record on hone steals! He bought a beautiful E & Co. Y/G (same thing as an Escher) at a Dutch auction site for 36 euros, and this included some razors! I am personally stalking Kees to be there when he makes even the slightest false move so that I can pounce on him and wrench this prize hone from his viscera! Sorry to be so graphic Kees, but you know how I feel about your gorgeous stone, and don't bother to try and barter or purchase this prize away from Kees, he won't budge! I offered him what to any other being would have been 3 or 4 times what could be dreamed of for this stone and he wouldn't have any part of it. That's when my passions took a turn towards the black arts and the unspeakable became so enticing and feels so good!

Originally Posted by rgdominguez

Well, as everyone should know by now, Kees has the world record on hone steals! He bought a beautiful E & Co. Y/G (same thing as an Escher) at a Dutch auction site for 36 euros, and this included some razors! I am personally stalking Kees to be there when he makes even the slightest false move so that I can pounce on him and wrench this prize hone from his viscera! Sorry to be so graphic Kees, but you know how I feel about your gorgeous stone, and don't bother to try and barter or purchase this prize away from Kees, he won't budge! I offered him what to any other being would have been 3 or 4 times what could be dreamed of for this stone and he wouldn't have any part of it. That's when my passions took a turn towards the black arts and the unspeakable became so enticing and feels so good!

I think you have a hone fixation. Your hunt for a 4"x8" coticule first raised my suspicion, but this confirms it.

I have a large floor-tile sized lithography stone lying around that's supposedly very good for sharpening, but I haven't yet gotten around to cleaning it up and trying it out. It's yours for 500$ and shipping. deal?