Thread: Choosing a good Belgian Coticule stone

I'm a big fan of coticules myself love using them and love the finish i get from them. But I don't think that a coticule is the perfect stone for what you are looking for.

If you want to keep using your progression of synthetics and are looking for a natural to use as a finisher then I think something like a thuringer is a better choice. That or one of the other high end slate stones.

They are pure finishers so you don't have to worry about slurry dulling or anything. and they give a finish that, like the coticule is very smooth to shave with.

Hi and welcome. I doubt you'll get a sharper and more polished edge from a coticule over the 12k. If you want sharper get crox, a suehiro 20k or a jnat. If you want the close comfortable edge from a coticule then email Jarrod at the superior shave. He will help you get an idea of what to choose and why and has good prices as well. Good luck finding the edge your looking for

Have just opened a thread to see if anyone has tried this site. coticule.be . Looks like it might be a good one to try. He rates stones from ardennes coticule.

Originally Posted by stev

A topic that is somewhat on my mind at the minute also, there is a video on youtube, i think the guy who made it (hibudgl100) is possibly a member here at SRP and it has some very good information to consider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0l0Db9AXeU

I personally have a standard bout from http://www.ardennes-coticule.be and i have just received a second one in the mail today which i acquired from an auction site (this is the point where i mention to being a minor HAD 'sufferer?').
I do really like the edge produced from these stones, but i do understand how overwhelming they can be.
I hope that video can bring you some new information and help a little.

Old thread, I know, but I ended up here and just wanted to comment on how helpful this video is!

Sham is very knowledgeable in everything honing.

Originally Posted by Gerald Davis

Hello everyone,
I'm looking into purchasing a Belgian Coticule stone. In the process of researching, I've got myselfa little overwhelmed with all of the information that's out on the internet indetermining where and from whom to purchase the stone. I know it's best to geta natural stone as compared to purchasing a stone that was made of chips andpieces off the saw mill and glued together to make a honing stone.
The purpose I'll use the stone is not so much of trying tomake it my one for start to finish honing or trying to set a bevel, it's morefor the later stages of honing in trying to get a sharper and more polished edgeon the razor. I've got the 400/1000, 4000/8000 grit Norton stone and a 12000grit Naniwa stone. I can a decent sharpness to the razor with these stones however,I've heard that Belgian Coticule stonesgives a better edge and polish. I understand that I would have to get a slurrystone with this.
So what I'm asking everyone is recommendations where to finda good quality Belgian Coticule stone. I've seen the stone for sale at Best SharpeningStones and Timber Tools websites. One question is, does paying the extra priceat the Timber Tools compared to the same size stone from the Best SharpeningStones mean I'm getting a better quality honing stone? Or should I get a stonedirectly from Ardennes Cuticule? I'm looking into a 8x3 stone.
Any advice and recommendations would greatly be appreciated.

I've never bought (straight) from ardennes, but I would consider anything that originates at ardennes to be the same across dealers. The reality that I've seen with ardennes stones (and some vintage stones) is that many are just not very fine, and are better suited to use with a linen where the coti never removes the entire edge of a razor already in shaving condition.

That creates a situation where you as the shaver have some time to work the edge up from the coti using a linen, but being careful not to remove the edge itself as you're doing it.

I've had exactly one coticule (out of, maybe 7?) that was a true finisher in the class of other finishers, and I will admit I did sell it because it still was doing what other finishers do. The rest of the cotis I bought, I sold at at a loss. That was a new stone and not ardennes.

Long and short of it, I'd agree with the advice above, if you're looking to buy one stone and you don't want to buy a bunch and keep the best (which is an expensive thing to do), buy something else for now and watch flea markets, etc, for old cotis that show up for a song. If you get an old coti for $10, you don't have to be afraid of oiling it (which can help a coarse coti a little).

Personally, I don't know if ardennes charges more than their retailers do, maybe someone here can confirm. There is or was a belgian blue on ebay that someone claimed ardennes sold to them for $225 because it was "selected". That kind of stuff is a bit spurious to me, but a retailer can charge what a customer will pay.

I haven't seen anything from timbertools (or about them) that would make me want to purchase anything for razors from them.

I want to thank everyone for reading my post and taking their time to share their straight razor honing experiences with me. After reading all of the outstanding and very educational replies, I've decided not to purchase a Belgian Coticule stone. I've decided to take my recently acquired beaten up DOVO I've purchase at a flea market to refine my honing skills with the stones that I have. I might just be holding my tongue wrong, so I'll see if that helps. Thanks again everyone.

Originally Posted by Gerald Davis

I want to thank everyone for reading my post and taking their time to share their straight razor honing experiences with me. After reading all of the outstanding and very educational replies, I've decided not to purchase a Belgian Coticule stone. I've decided to take my recently acquired beaten up DOVO I've purchase at a flea market to refine my honing skills with the stones that I have. I might just be holding my tongue wrong, so I'll see if that helps. Thanks again everyone.

Gerald,

With the stones that you have you can put an exemplary edge on your razor. It just takes practice, perseverance and patience, and, trial and effort, well, like most things in life. Apart from those, no hone/stone or set of them will produce what you're looking for!!

and, you'll get it!! And once you've "got it", then the little nuances of the other media start to make sense and, if possible, a difference! Look forward to hearing of your thoughts and observasations as you progress!!

Regards,

Howard

Originally Posted by Gerald Davis

I want to thank everyone for reading my post and taking their time to share their straight razor honing experiences with me. After reading all of the outstanding and very educational replies, I've decided not to purchase a Belgian Coticule stone. I've decided to take my recently acquired beaten up DOVO I've purchase at a flea market to refine my honing skills with the stones that I have. I might just be holding my tongue wrong, so I'll see if that helps. Thanks again everyone.

You sir are smarter than the average bear. Once you are comfortable providing edges on your razors, send a freshly honed one to someone you have grown to trust that knows how to hone & has been at it several years. Their evaluation and input can really help.

There is no better help than finding a honing mentor. The man (hibudgl aka Sham) in the video was my honing mentor years ago. He has his own razor sight: http://www.razorandstone.com - The Front Page Having a honing mentor can sure help you to get you where you want to be with a lot less frustrations. You have all the stones you need, they are quality stones that many veteran honers use to this day...there are really none better, only the stones that someone prefers a bit better. With Norton, Naniwa, & Shapton synthetics you can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by DaveW

Long and short of it, I'd agree with the advice above, if you're looking to buy one stone and you don't want to buy a bunch and keep the best (which is an expensive thing to do), buy something else for now and watch flea markets, etc, for old cotis that show up for a song. If you get an old coti for $10, you don't have to be afraid of oiling it (which can help a coarse coti a little).

This is kinda how i look at it now too, even though i am not in need, i still keep an eye on auction sites ect for random little bargains that come up, if i spend $10 or $20 on a stone that i later find is not right for me, then atleast i didnt spend the $225 to find out and i can live with 10 or 20 here and there.