Thread: Escher as a touch-up stone

Hey all,

So I know that an escher could in theory be used as a touch-up stone, but who uses it for that purpose? I was just wondering if something like 5-10 laps every week or so for a daily shaver would be good to maintain a blade. I have a nice little yellow/green that's about 6 x 1 1/8" so it's very convenient to keep in the bathroom. I know coticules are mentioned a lot to be touch-up hones, but I have read little if none about the same function being used with eschers.

I currently use a little coitcule for touch-ups, but if I can skip that step entirely and just use the escher solely for touch-ups that would be more convenient.

I'm just curious to see who uses just the escher for such purposes...

Thanks!

I see no reason why you can't yse an Escher for touch-ups. What's the worst that can happen, you have to drop back to the Coticule?

Touching up every week seems a lot but what ever works for you.

You should be fine if you strop before each shave and touch up only after the blade starts to tug. For some people that would be around every 3 months.

Good luck!

i have done it for years but let me add a little more . Can you use Escher and it will do great work.
There is another easier way.
It is to use a good barber hone.
Example C-mon barber hone .you will need to do only 2-4 passes with lather that is it blade comes backto it is original condition in less then 1 minutes.
hope this helps.

I find a Y/G or B/G Escher fine for finishing or touching up. They are just great hones IME. One legendary item that lives up to the reputation. I have little experience with barber hones but if Sham says they work then you can take that to the bank AFAIC.

i use y/g escher for touch up.

I use a nakayama for touch ups. So you can certainly use an Escher.

James.

Thanks for the responses guys! I'm not sure if I want to use my escher for all of my touch-ups, as my coticules and Swaty might get jealous. It's just nice to know that you have options.

Hey Dave,

Using an Escher in that manner seems like it
would work really well. I've done some final
honing on a small Y/G with about 30 strokes,
so it would seem like 5-10 would be a good
amount for a weekly touchup. I'd start with 5
of course

- Scott

I have several Escher's. I'd normally use them as a Finishing hone. As far as a "touch up" hone? I don't see why not. I use my Barber hones for that, I.E. Swaty.
In the long run, An Escher may be too aggresive for daily use, as would a Coti. Barber hones are better suited for this. 3-5 passes keeps your blade up to snuff.
Now, if your blade starts to pull and drag, that's another story.....

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

i have done it for years but let me add a little more . Can you use Escher and it will do great work.
There is another easier way.
It is to use a good barber hone.
Example C-mon barber hone .you will need to do only 2-4 passes with lather that is it blade comes backto it is original condition in less then 1 minutes.
hope this helps.

The whole barber hone thing confuses me. If you've finished an edge on say an escher or nakayama or even pastes, and then you hit the barber hone, doesn't it bring that finished edge down to the barber hone's finish level instead of whatever it was at?

That is, if you finish an edge on the escher, love the edge, then it starts to dull, you do your 3-5 strokes on the barber hone, is it then exactly the same edge as it was when you first finished it on the escher? Or is it a *little* worse? Noticeably different but still OK?