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.

One on eBay, a vintage Belgian Coticule and BBW Combo, big stone 9 x 2 1/8 x 3/4, friend of mine has it listed - it's a BIN - FYI:

Rare Vintage Belgian Coticule AND BBW Combo 9 Inches X 2 1 8 Inches X 3 4 Inch | eBay

I'll say nothing new except I am quite new to a coticule. I got lucky with a very decent 2x6 stone (which is plenty big) from an honest, experienced guy on ebay - talk about beating the odds. It does what he said - covers a decent range for modest bevel repair for the semi-patient to good finshing but I am not tossing my 1000 anytime soon. I might could maybe toss the 4000/8000. It finishes a little better than the 8000 and feels a softer edge on the skin but, compared to your gear, why trade except for the fun of seeing what a interesting range one smelly garnet-laden stone might have to offer?

Now, if you like fluffy brown slurry and the modest miracle of range then have at it knowing it can be a crapshoot without some personal or reliable connection to the seller. Knowing what I know now, a broken or irregular section (bouts) at half the cost would have been fine (but I'm not complaining).

I would never hesitate to buy from ardennes. They are great people and the price and shipping exprience I had was awesome. I got a Les Lat hybrid bout approximately 7.5"x 1.5" with large slurry stone for what I feel was a very good price. Got here in no time considering the distance. I think it took a week or less from shipping date. This is a great stone and a great deal. Unfortunately it was also the last Les Lat they had. I don't think they are finding anymore right now. Maybe next year. If you tell them what you are looking for and that it is for a razor they will look through what they have for a nice one for you. They sent me pics so I could decide if I liked also.

Anyway if you don't want large and rectangular, you can get a great deal on a bout from them or even TSS.
Also I have had great results with old vintage stones I found at very good prices online. You need to look alot though and have a price you are willing to pay and be willing to just let it go, cause a lot of people are willing to pay way more than I was(some people have serious HAD). Also look read and learn about what characteristics usually make up the kind of stone you are looking for. When looking at vintage stones you will see what I mean.

All that being said if you are set on a large 8X3 stone you will pay a good bit, but can still get a good price on a bout.