Thread: Escher Barber's Delight. Worth the price difference?

Haven't received mine yet. End of next week. I'll let you know.

It's discouraging to realize that you might be 100 years too late to the game, sniff.

I think right now is a very encouraging time for shaving with straight razors. With the advent of the internet it has never been easier to find great vintage NOS razors from all corners of the world. Same goes for hones. Did you ever try finding a honing service pre internet? It was impossible. Not only that but there was virtually no information available about how to use one and no resources for good soaps, etc.

I have always like straight razors and bought my first one new from a cutlery shop in the mall in 1986. It was a really nice Puma but I had no idea they did not come shave ready from the factory. After several attempts at shaving with it and several attempts to get some help getting it sharpened, I simply gave up. Years later, I found a site online that explained a whole lot about them and was able to locate several vendors who included an initial and sometimes second honing with your purchase. I bought one and since then have acquired several high end razors that shave great. I have a number of terrific soaps and creams. I can also do my own honing, although I am nowhere near the level of the pros. None of this would have been possible just a few years ago. Just my thoughts.

IMO thuri hones are a great finisher. It is nice to know what you are getting. The label helps with that. And people who are selling these hones know that with a label the value sky rockets. BUT do you blame them? IF people willing to pay the top dollar for them, the prices would drop. I got lucky when I found my Hohenzollern hone (minus the slurry stone) and I love it! Not the largest of hones, but works great for me. I also have a celebrated water hone (5x1) Having a thuri that is 8x3 would be great but not needed. I think that is all I need for finishers at this time TBH.

Just be careful when shopping for thuri hones. People will call a "fine" hone a thuri and try to pull a fast one on you. I've been tricked once. So the only 100% way of knowing what you have is an "Escher" or some other kind of thuri is the vintage label......Or maybe buying one from someone who has a great reputation. I know some of the rock hounds out there can smell a thuri a mile away..... I wish I knew more about identifying them.

They are great stones. Some like them because they are a little wider. Great pictures guys.
Mike

A natural with more gap is something like a Washita. A reg one vs a no 1 vs a Lilly white is a marked differences. I think the bd were the most consistent as far as particulate goes, but all thuris are very consistent for the most part.

As the particle size was mentioned, here Some more comparison shots i did. The structure is very homogenious and the particles are very fine...

A DB kind of Barbers Delight, its the german Version called Type "Rasierstube / Barber Shop"

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8795/...7259f9_c_d.jpg

Karl Brächer Jr. Y/G

Originally Posted by dcaven

There is one on ebay right now for $1300. That is $500 more than a pristine Escher that is not a Barber's Delight. I think they are both a high but wonder if there is really $500 difference in quality between the two or if it is more for collectors who won't be honing.

They are here again. Right now two stones are Listed...one right now at 1025 usd and one in blue at 475 usd. Interesting both stones are only a „Barbers Shop“ Quality and not a Barbers Delight. Interesting is the prizes fly high just adding the word Barbers Delight to the Auction...just crazy

Both are BTC Stones...

Originally Posted by doorsch

They are here again. Right now two stones are Listed...one right now at 1025 usd and one in blue at 475 usd. Interesting both stones are only a „Barbers Shop“ Quality and not a Barbers Delight. Interesting is the prizes fly high just adding the word Barbers Delight to the Auction...just crazy

Both are BTC Stones...

Is the Escher BD worth the price difference - absolutely in my opinion.

Both the stones listed have labelled boxes but appear not to still have the labels on the stones - which means, the stones could be anything - so no provenance on the stones - big difference - wouldn't buy.

For the BD, there are only 3 pics, and only the slurry stone is pictured as having the two layers - no such pic for the hone itself - I'd stay away from both personally.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Is the Escher BD worth the price difference - absolutely in my opinion.

Both the stones listed have labelled boxes but appear not to still have the labels on the stones - which means, the stones could be anything - so no provenance on the stones - big difference - wouldn't buy.

For the BD, there are only 3 pics, and only the slurry stone is pictured as having the two layers - no such pic for the hone itself - I'd stay away from both personally.

Phrank i wouldnt buy them too for that price as mentioned without labels on the stone.
And again to add both stones are „no“ Barbers Delight Stones!!