Why are Escher hones so expensive? I figure they are rare but not so rare that they are numerous ones for sale on various shaving sites and ebay. Are they that much better as a finisher that you can pay 500, 600, or more dollars and feel it was well worth it? Just wanted to know.
Escher Hones....What's the deal!!
- Thread starter Walker
- Start date
It's rare that an escher other than an unusually large (8"x2" or bigger, which are very rare) fetches $500+... I think I saw ONE yellow green 7.5x1.5 fetch that where the seller talked up yellow green's a storm (and I have zero doubts based on the requests I got for Yellow greens when I imported Mueller Thuri's around that time that the auction wasn't the only place he was saying how Y/G's were the best. Same story on a 5x2.5 barbers box Y/G (probably same seller).) All the other $500+ stones I remember seeing were 10x2's and maybe one 12x2.
A 7.5x1.5 Escher seems to average $225-350 on eBay. I've bought them as cheaply as $175 (with labels intact) and sold a dozen or so between $100 and $250 privately. (the ones under $150 were all illegible labels). You can buy a Thuringian 1x5" celebrated Razor Hone in preen box on eBay under $100 almost any week. Same exact stone, just smaller. 1.5x7.5" Thuringians (most likely Eschers with missing labels) almost never go over $200, usually ending closer to $100. And a vintage box 5x2.5 with slurry stone (non-Escher name brand, but labels intact) sold for under $150 a month ago.
That said, if you are willing to spend $350 for a 1.5x7.5 or 5x2.5 Escher, then you've got more money than sense in my opinion. The stones can still be had for a very reasonable price, even on eBay. Look deeper than just eBay searching "Escher" and you'll find them.
Are they worth it? Yeah. I haven't found a stone that comes anywhere near the balance of speed and shave quality as a finisher that they give. If you are a creationist, then God put this rock on earth to be used as a finishing hone for razors.
A 7.5x1.5 Escher seems to average $225-350 on eBay. I've bought them as cheaply as $175 (with labels intact) and sold a dozen or so between $100 and $250 privately. (the ones under $150 were all illegible labels). You can buy a Thuringian 1x5" celebrated Razor Hone in preen box on eBay under $100 almost any week. Same exact stone, just smaller. 1.5x7.5" Thuringians (most likely Eschers with missing labels) almost never go over $200, usually ending closer to $100. And a vintage box 5x2.5 with slurry stone (non-Escher name brand, but labels intact) sold for under $150 a month ago.
That said, if you are willing to spend $350 for a 1.5x7.5 or 5x2.5 Escher, then you've got more money than sense in my opinion. The stones can still be had for a very reasonable price, even on eBay. Look deeper than just eBay searching "Escher" and you'll find them.
Are they worth it? Yeah. I haven't found a stone that comes anywhere near the balance of speed and shave quality as a finisher that they give. If you are a creationist, then God put this rock on earth to be used as a finishing hone for razors.
- Thread starter
- #3
Yea for 350 dollars imagine the Coti you can buy for that. An 8X3 combo coti is cheaper than that. But i have never used an Escher so i have absolutly no idea what i'm talking about. I was just wondering why they are so high in value, but if they are the ultimate finisher i guess it's worth it. I would pay the 100 or maybe even the 200 dollar price tag but over 300 would be out of the question for me. I guess if i honed for a living it would be worth it but 1 or 2 razors a month doesn't justify a purchase like that for me. My opinion anyway. Thanks for the info Ian. 
I have been watching this one but I think it would take too much work to lap it flat......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220680932872&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220680932872&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
They are hard as the dickens...
But some people like the edge they create.
I'm not a fan though.
What i find is when you look on the bay, so many stones come up i have no idea what to look for, i know a olistone is no good, but other listings just say old/vintage/antique sharpening stone, so what do you actually look for for in a stone?
I'm not a fan of the edges - I'd rather spend the money on a Japanese hone. That said, I have yet to sell my Escher. Go figure.
I just ordered one of the Thuringian hones from Timbertools. I guess I'll see what kind of edge that provides.Should be the same I would think.
Yes, but that will buy you one of the fabled '2%' coticules....
I think those are the new MST mueller stones and vary quite a bit. Not sure you can get the same sort of edge as a vintage one, but with any natural stone they can vary quite a bit. Maybe you'll get lucky.
Just keep your eye out on eBay for some. I got my 7.5x1.5 Escher for $125, though the seller cast doubt on the auction as it came in an escher box with a label in the box, but not on the stone.
I'm fairly certain it is a dark blue Escher and does indeed put a wicked edge on my razors. I could actually care less if it is a real escher as I know that it puts a sharper edge on than my coti finishes and that is all that matters to me.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a Frankonian hone from Olivia's site and when I get it in hand I'll post in my frankonian thread to how it compares to my escher. It is around $170, so if it puts on an edge similar to an escher it may be worth the price. Let's just say I'll take one for the team
Ahhhhh, HAD at it's best....
Yes, but that will buy you one of the fabled '2%' coticules....
I thought it was only 1%
Is that the hybrids? If so I have 2 of them. I came really close to buying the Frankonian. I will try the thuri first. If I don't like it I'll sell it and get a Frankonian.
Not sure what you mean by this?
Are they the ones that graduate to a marblelike bottom?
Not sure, both Thuri's I have are just one piece (color) of slate.
I think they were referring to coticules with the 2% comment.
That's $450.00!I thought it was only 1%
I have one of these in a box and find it very, very useful for smiling blades or those needing a bit here or there on part of the edge. I also use it to maintain my edges. Gives a really nice finish, as nice as a coticule or a C12K, and is fun to use. It helped me learn the rolling X stroke as well. I have not jumped in to an Escher because of the price, but if they are the same stones then I guess I do understand why they are in demand- the edges are indeed nice.
I actually do like the edges from eschers but I would never pay for a vintage escher price and would rather have a Thuri or Jnat.
