Ah, that's better. As with the coticules w/ slurry it is possible to use slurry on the Escher and perform the complete honing on the Escher alone and just slowly diluting the slurry as you go. Don't let Sham know your doing that though. Eschers are highly prised hones and very expensive. To completely hone your razor on one is considered a waste of the hone when lesser priced hones can perform the same function. Using the Escher after the 8k is common and slurry is not required. Slurry produces a slightly rounded edge. It takes a lot of practice and fussing around to develop the rate to dilute the slurry and to develop the feel to know when to dilute. In the long run you will find it cheaper and faster to use tools better suited for the task at hand. If you really want to play with slurry I would get a BBW/Coticule combo or a C12k tp play with. The C12k can be had for s song compared to the price of Eschers. Check w/ Holli,he may have a C12k for sale. If not Woodcraft sells them anc calls them Natural Hones. Here's a link: Natural Polishing Water Stone - Woodcraft.com You may need to cut a piece off for a rubbing stone or search the classified section for one.