Thread: New coticule guidance

So while I'm in Florida I decided to drive to Jacksonville and visit the superior shave and pick up a new coticule stone. While I'm pretty decent at using my shapton pro stones, the one coti I did have was difficult at best. Partly I think due to the fact that it was very small. So I'm going to get a larger stone. so I need some guidance. I want my stone to be medium speed, smooth and a final finisher. I'm not really sure what to look for tho. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks guys

This is the place to find out:
http://coticule.be/
"Sharpening Academy" is the place to start.
These are the guys that have been at it for years! The site is kept open but other than questions answered in "The Clinic'" the site is closed to new posts.
They surely taught me a lot. Coticule use all in one place.
Enjoy your Coticule...every one is a new learning experience!
~Richard

I would ask them at the Superior Shave whether you can bring some razors that need a touch-up so you can try them.
No 2 coticules are the same so it is worthwhile checking them before you buy.

That's a great idea! I actually have a new thiers that I haven't put a bevel on yet! Genius man!

I would suggest that you set the bevel before your visit, since most coticules available new will be slow bevel setters at best. Alternatively, as suggested above by Kees, bring a razor that needs a touch-up. Many of his stones are either actual or suspected 'La Verte', which will work very well for what you are looking for. If he has any 'La Veinette' you might want to try that as well, I love mine despite its small size.

That's interesting. So what's the difference between the two? I really don't know a whole lot about coti's I mainly use shapton pro stones. I've had a very small coti and there seemed to be several inclusions that negatively affected my edges. I'm not ready to just completely pass on coti's. I mean one of the oldest natural hones still being pumped out and used worldwide can't be bad. I'm always a little apprehensive about strictly taking a vendor's word about what's what, ya know? So yeah my Austin is what's best and what to look for? What's the difference between la viniet and la verte?

They are from different seams, or 'veins'. Each vein is different and they have their own unique characteristics. Some of the previously available veins have been mined out and are no longer available as new stones. The great majority of stones being mined now appear to be 'La Verte' or 'La Grise', although they are not generally marked as such.

More info on coticules than you'll probably ever want to know (large PDF):

http://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info%2020...whetstones.pdf

I see. So does there seem to be a difference I'm the purity or texture. Meaning is one faster because of more Garnett, or is one softer but gives better edges?

I'm going to spend some time reading this pdf. Thanks sqzxr

There are a number of variables, not the least of which are size and density of garnets. As an example, here are two of my coticules at 180x magnification:

1) The 'La Verte' has rather large garnets somewhat loosely spaced, which gives it moderate speed with slurry and slow speed with plain water. The scratches it makes in steel are smooth and shallow, it gives a very smooth shave and is my primary finisher for old Sheffield wedges.




2) The 'La Petite Blanche' has much smaller garnets that are also much more tightly packed. It is very fast and aggressive with slurry and still pretty fast with plain water. The scratches are deeper, even after many laps on plain water, and the edge it leaves is not comfortable to shave with. However, it will set bevels if needed, and will take a razor from a 1k bevel setter to a final finisher in about 10 minutes with a single dilution. The feedback at all stages is exceptional. This is the single most useful of all my stones, it has eliminated the need for mid-range (3000, 5000, & 8000) synthetics on my bench. I will be buried with this one.




The junction of the coticule and Belgian blue layers on this stone is incredible: