Thread: Question about using Escher/Thuringian

Originally Posted by JeffE

Thanks! I actually have the exact same label inside my box (same words, everything) but without the little "E&Co." cup, which is why mine will probably always be just an alleged Escher. It seems to work well enough that I decided to keep it despite this problem, and I still don't get any "fine slime" while I'm working, but I will keep trying!

That is because your's doesn't have the little cup. The fine slime is kept in the little cup.

Originally Posted by JeffE

Thanks! I actually have the exact same label inside my box (same words, everything) but without the little "E&Co." cup, which is why mine will probably always be just an alleged Escher. It seems to work well enough that I decided to keep it despite this problem, and I still don't get any "fine slime" while I'm working, but I will keep trying!

What happens as the surface of the hone dries?

Originally Posted by JeffE

Thanks! I actually have the exact same label inside my box (same words, everything) but without the little "E&Co." cup, which is why mine will probably always be just an alleged Escher. It seems to work well enough that I decided to keep it despite this problem, and I still don't get any "fine slime" while I'm working, but I will keep trying!

Neither do I, so don't feel bad. Also, consider the size, it may take a few more strokes than normal to get the desired result.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

That is because your's doesn't have the little cup. The fine slime is kept in the little cup.

Your a funny guy Jimmy.......

Oh, very funny. For the record, I would never have given a damn about whether or not a cruddy label on a little wood box had a little cup on it until I started hanging out here, so that just proves that mental problems can be transmitted from one person to another through websites!

And for the other question, the stone just seems to get drier and drier as I run the razor edge back and forth, until I give it a few more shpritzes of water to do more laps. I think if I didn't keep adding water as I was going the stone would become completely dry whil I was working, and I understand from what I read here that a dry stone is bad.

Originally Posted by JeffE

Oh, very funny. For the record, I would never have given a damn about whether or not a cruddy label on a little wood box had a little cup on it until I started hanging out here, so that just proves that mental problems can be transmitted from one person to another through websites!

And for the other question, the stone just seems to get drier and drier as I run the razor edge back and forth, until I give it a few more shpritzes of water to do more laps. I think if I didn't keep adding water as I was going the stone would become completely dry whil I was working, and I understand from what I read here that a dry stone is bad.

Yes, water evaporates and I suppose the rock absorbs some. I keep a spray bottle handy to keep the water going. Here is a review where honemeister Russel Baldridge finishes dry on a Muller. I tried it with great results after reading it. Here is another of Russel's reviews on a stone like yours.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

IME if you want slurry off of an Escher you have to create it with a slurry stone. You might find an individual stone that is a bit softer where the water may show a bit of milk if you do a lot of passes with a razor but in general nothing like what you would make with a slurry stone. If you don't have one a credit card sized 325 DMT is only a few bucks, works well and doesn't leave a residue of it's own abrasive.

If you're coming off of an 8k and go to a Thuringan you can feel improvement if you know what you are doing. Since your razors were already shave ready when you honed on the stone you probably did contribute some smoothness since you didn't make them worse. With a thin stone such as yours holding it in the hand while honing might make for more control. Worth a try anyhow.

jimmy, i did that on my escher early on, and cut the living crap out of the palm of my hand behind my thumb, but i did get distracted by the misses, so i did have some help.

If you want to get slurry you should not clean its surface after use. It'll build up slowly. If you use them with water there's no need to clean them anyway. if you'd like a slurry stone I can get you one.

Hi JeffE,

I am a fellow beginner who also happens to own a Coticule and Escher (with the slime cup). My straights have also been honed by others, and I likewise have been learning the best way to touch up (best for me that is). And my name is also Jeff. Cue twilight zone music.

My coti is this one: Coticule008 - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone
Bart recommended it as being gentle on the skin, and it is indeed. I touch up on just water and believe it is really all I would ever need for touch ups.

But I bought a Vintage Escher from the classifieds while waiting the 4 weeks for the coti to show up. They arrived the same day.

I tried the Escher with just water and really did not like the shave at all. Then was taught that the Escher is just for polishing (with slurry) as the final step - something is needed before hand to do the actual sharpening. Such as the Nakayama Kiita (with slurry) that I also just happened to buy.

Since none of my straights need a touch up right now I have not had the chance to try this Nakayama/Escher combo yet.

Have you tried your coti with just water for touch up yet? Some people really do not like the edge off a coti, and I waited a long time before buying one because of some opinions from people I trust. But I learned through trial and error that what works for others does not always work for me.

Good luck, have fun.
jeff