Coticule Questions

I've just recieved my package from Ardennes, i got myself a BBW and a Coticule. I'm keen to put them to use but i want to get a few things straight first.

1) The slurry stone they gave me looks like its Coticule on one side and BBW on the other. would this be correct or might the dark side be Shist?
If it is BBW on one side do i need to only use the BBW side for slurrying the BBW and the Coticule side on the Coticule only?

2) Are there any maintenance issues i need to be aware of. should they just be washed with water when finished? Should they be dried before putting away? Is there anything in particular they should be kept in?

I might just be being over-cautious but they cost me quite a few bucks and i like to look after my stuff.

Thanks guys
Grant

Hi,
It's probably not a combination & more likely to be schist, but i'd ask them direct.
If it is a combination, then stick to the matching sides for slurry. If not, you can raise a BBW slurry with some wet & dry, though there may be better methods.
I wash mine & allow to dry before storing, but if you were only ever going to use with slurry, you can let it dry on the stone.

As for maintenance be aware of a slight curving of the stone, but to be honest this will only happen after a lot of use, and if so lapping would be required.
I find a solution of water and a couple of drops of detergent helps lift the micro shavings of metal from the pores of the stone and stop clogging.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thechef

As for maintenance be aware of a slight curving of the stone, but to be honest this will only happen after a lot of use, and if so lapping would be required.
I find a solution of water and a couple of drops of detergent helps lift the micro shavings of metal from the pores of the stone and stop clogging.

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I thought coticules were non-porus and can't clog? I don't think there is any maintenance needed-- you can even let the slurry dry on the stone and refresh it with water for next time (but you'd need to rinse it anyway for the coticule+water final finishing step)

My slurry stone has yellow coticule on one side, with a backing of slate on the other (just like my hone)-- it isn't BBW. You can check by comparing the hardness of your BBW with the backing (BBW will be much softer).

-Chief

They are very straight forward stones. Just make sure it is lapped before honing. I rinse and dry my stone because I keep them in a wooden cigar box and don't want the wood getting wet. Though I have left them out after honing without rinsing or drying and nothing happened.

To test the slurry stone just rub the dark side on some sand paper, BBW's will bleed purple/blue.

I hone at the kitchen sink and keep a fingernail brush there to give the stones a brushing down under running tap water when I'm done. I let them dry in the drainer and keep them in a cabinet above the sink. Enjoy your new coticule. :tu