Escher Label Q.

[cotedupy]

I have two Eschers:

They're both the same kind of stone - 'late period blue' is what I believe it's known as, but the labels have slightly different wording. The larger (6x1.25) calls itself The Genuine Water Razor Hone and imparts a longlasting fine edge to every razor:

The smaller (5x1) is merely The Genuine Water Hone and imparts a longlasting fine edge to every blade:

Does anyone know if there's a difference? Was a distinction made for finer stones that were more suited to razors, as opposed to general purpose stones? It can't have been a size thing, as you'd have thought the smaller stone would be the razor one (?)

Both of them fwiw give me a very good razor edge - they seem basically identical. Though I’ve not tried side by side yet, to see if I can tell any minute difference.

(Excuse me for tagging you @hatzicho , but if anyone might know the answer I expect you'd be the man!)

 

[Legion]

As far as I know, they are the same thing. Rather than the small one being marketed towards razors, it was more marketed towards pen knives, scalpels, engravers tools, etc. Honing a razor on a 5x1" stone is tricky, and takes a bit of practice, but a pocket knife is easy on that size. I'd say they are the same thing.

 

[cotedupy]

As far as I know, they are the same thing. Rather than the small one being marketed towards razors, it was more marketed towards pen knives, scalpels, engravers tools, etc. Honing a razor on a 5x1" stone is tricky, and takes a bit of practice, but a pocket knife is easy on that size. I'd say they are the same thing.

Aha! After I typed that post it struck me that might be another possibility. Like lots of the little Tams, Arks, &c. that were for various other small blades and instruments.

I’m pretty certain these two are effectively identical, but was just interested to check, in case anyone thought otherwise.

 

[hatzicho]

Legion is correct on that! Normally the razor hones were typically at least 6 inches long. The also very often sold penknife hones were usually 4.5 x 1.2 inches. So the 5'' hones in between had been generally for useage to all knifes and tools and also as a (cheaper) compromise to razor hones.
Regards Peter

 

[cotedupy]

Legion is correct on that! Normally the razor hones were typically at least 6 inches long. The also very often sold penknife hones were usually 4.5 x 1.2 inches. So the 5'' hones in between had been generally for useage to all knifes and tools and also as a (cheaper) compromise to razor hones.
Regards Peter

Many thanks Peter - good to know!