Coticule question

[Sdm84]

I have two coticules and I am thinking of selling one but don't want to make a mistake if I have something nice. I know that is an awkward way to phrase that but I don't know what I have and I don't know which is "better" (a subjective term at best)

This one is smaller and has a freckled appearance with a definite sheen as if it were partly burnished.




This one is bigger and irregular but it is wide enough full length of the blade- very comfortable to hand hone. It does not have a sheen and is more "swirly" than freckled.




Anyone have any thoughts on this or are they just two unremarkable stones? Trying to learn.

[dinnermint]

Those look like my coticules that were more recently mined. Both of mine are good stones, they sharpen slowly but produce great edges.

Nothing really jumps out at me that would say "keep this one, no matter what."

Have you honed with them?

[Stubear]

Which one gives you the better edge? Find that out and keep that one

As above, theres no occlusions or marks that make me think one might be better than the other so personally it would be down to which one I could get the best edge out of.

[Scipio]

Great to see you back on here Stu!

Personally and all things being equal, I would keep the regularly shaped coticule if you were intent upon selling one. But that is just me. I have used and collect both types, but no two of mine behave and look the same.

[JimmyHAD]

IME sometimes it takes a lot of time to sort out a coticule. I have a La Veinette I thought was a dud until I did about 180 round trips on a Theirs-Issard super gnome and got as good an edge as any I've gotten from any hone I've ever used.

[Sdm84]

Great to see you back on here Stu!

Personally and all things being equal, I would keep the regularly shaped coticule if you were intent upon selling one. But that is just me. I have used and collect both types, but no two of mine behave and look the same.

I have honed on both- as a finisher only. I am still working on getting the slurry thing sorted out.

As a finisher- the irregular bout is really easy for me to hold and to manipulate the razor. I have gotten to know it pretty well in that capacity and it gives butter smooth edges but not as keen as my other finishers (as typical of a coticule)

The smaller one yields slightly keener edges I think it may be a little harder stone. Feel is a little different and I have to do more of an x stroke.

I have gotten ahead of myself a bit in my enthusiasm for honing and have decided to slow down a bit and concentrate on learning a few stones rather than chase the next great thing.

I guess it's sort of like golf clubs- the clubs have little to do with how well you play golf until you understand the game and the mechanics of the swing.

[JimmyHAD]

I have honed on both- as a finisher only. I am still working on getting the slurry thing sorted out.

As a finisher- the irregular bout is really easy for me to hold and to manipulate the razor. I have gotten to know it pretty well in that capacity and it gives butter smooth edges but not as keen as my other finishers (as typical of a coticule)

The smaller one yields slightly keener edges I think it may be a little harder stone. Feel is a little different and I have to do more of an x stroke.

I have gotten ahead of myself a bit in my enthusiasm for honing and have decided to slow down a bit and concentrate on learning a few stones rather than chase the next great thing.

I guess it's sort of like golf clubs- the clubs have little to do with how well you play golf until you understand the game and the mechanics of the swing.

The bold text highlighting your conclusions is exactly right IME.

I'd keep both. Instead of lapping with a diamond plate, or sandpaper, I'd rub one against the other under lightly running water. That has also helped my coticules be more efficient.

[Slawman]

If you don't need to sell one why do it?? Different stones work good with different razors. I like to finish hone on my Coti under running water with almost NO pressure. I have got great edges on my razors doing this method especially my German made straights. Can't explain why it works better on German razors but it doe's.

Slawman

[Sdm84]

I do the same no pressure finish under running water and get similar results!