Thread: Advice on purchasing a coticule

I was considering buying a coti and am not sure about the grades select and standard. is there a difference between quality of a new one from Ardennes coticule or a vintage one as far as the edge it can provide once I learn the stone? Thank you for your help.

As far as honing and the final edge, no difference. But being a natural stone, there is variance between stones.

Select and standard grade is based on looks. A select grade coticule will be free of "blemishes" or in clusions. I have not come across any inclusions that ever affect the edge.

I like Ardennes quite a bit. I have purchased 2 from them directly and 1 indirectly. All give fine edges, as do most of my vintages. Although the edge is a bit better with my modern ones, I specifically state in the comments/howw will yoiu use the stone; "stone will be used as a finishing stone for straight razors." How much of a difference that makes, I'm not too sure.

A select grade 8 x 3 coticule will cost over $400 USD from known retailers. I have owned and sold two of them. My skills may not have been up to the task, but I have managed to get great results from my Synthetics and jnats, so for the money you will pay for a top of the line coticule, I'd buy a Jnat.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

As far as honing and the final edge, no difference. But being a natural stone, there is variance between stones.

Select and standard grade is based on looks. A select grade coticule will be free of "blemishes" or in clusions. I have not come across any inclusions that ever affect the edge.

I like Ardennes quite a bit. I have purchased 2 from them directly and 1 indirectly. All give fine edges, as do most of my vintages. Although the edge is a bit better with my modern ones, I specifically state in the comments/howw will yoiu use the stone; "stone will be used as a finishing stone for straight razors." How much of a difference that makes, I'm not too sure.

I was wondering why that was asked. That may make tha difference.

They have standard grade 150x50mm (~6x2inch) for $104 and this is a fine size, like the same size as an Escher Barber's Delight. Standard grade is all you need, as dinnermint mentioned it's just about cosmetics and no difference in performance.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

As far as honing and the final edge, no difference. But being a natural stone, there is variance between stones.

Select and standard grade is based on looks. A select grade coticule will be free of "blemishes" or in clusions. I have not come across any inclusions that ever affect the edge.

I like Ardennes quite a bit. I have purchased 2 from them directly and 1 indirectly. All give fine edges, as do most of my vintages. Although the edge is a bit better with my modern ones, I specifically state in the comments/howw will yoiu use the stone; "stone will be used as a finishing stone for straight razors." How much of a difference that makes, I'm not too sure.

The same as the above. And when I visited Maurice, at the Ardennes last fall, he told me that in the old age, layers wasn't important. The best Coticule where the koscher ones. That meaning flawless and without blemishes.

Because the market today wants stones that looks flawless, Ardennes always try to put imperfections down, glued to the slate. That way all new coticules are koscher.

I have many vintage ones with incursions, and although it doesn't affect the edge, you can sure feel then when you hone. So I would go for a new one, not thinking much about layers.

I would avoid a hybrid as they don't perform as well as the rest. They are also more expensive because they are hyped. But not the best ones IMHO.


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Originally Posted by dinnermint

As far as honing and the final edge, no difference. But being a natural stone, there is variance between stones.

Select and standard grade is based on looks. A select grade coticule will be free of "blemishes" or in clusions. I have not come across any inclusions that ever affect the edge.

I like Ardennes quite a bit. I have purchased 2 from them directly and 1 indirectly. All give fine edges, as do most of my vintages. Although the edge is a bit better with my modern ones, I specifically state in the comments/howw will yoiu use the stone; "stone will be used as a finishing stone for straight razors." How much of a difference that makes, I'm not too sure.

I could've just had a bad experience, because I did precisely that and my stone was a bear to learn. I asked for a hard stone (my preference) that would be used for finishing straights. This stone is soft and quite difficult to do that with. Perhaps this is because I ordered around Christmas rush, and I'm certain they were having a hard enough time filling orders much less being particular about what kind of rock was shipped out.

Or perhaps I still have yet to fully master the rock. It's a regular grade coticule, 175x50 mm. I've not used it in a while, I think I will pull it out and touch up my coticule razor.

My suggestion if you can is find someone selling a known good stone. That way they can also relay what method they used to get a good edge.

Originally Posted by Marshal

I could've just had a bad experience, because I did precisely that and my stone was a bear to learn. I asked for a hard stone (my preference) that would be used for finishing straights. This stone is soft and quite difficult to do that with. Perhaps this is because I ordered around Christmas rush, and I'm certain they were having a hard enough time filling orders much less being particular about what kind of rock was shipped out.

Or perhaps I still have yet to fully master the rock. It's a regular grade coticule, 175x50 mm. I've not used it in a while, I think I will pull it out and touch up my coticule razor.

My suggestion if you can is find someone selling a known good stone. That way they can also relay what method they used to get a good edge.

I decided to order one from Ardennes, a 150x40 mm. i did put that I was going to use it to finish straight razors, so hopefully they ship a stone that doesn't have as muck of a learning curve to it. But I gues a few of my razors will making more trips than usual to the stones till I get this rock tamed. Now for the hardest part, waiting for it to arrive! And also doing a lot of reading on how to prep it, and ways to get the best edge possible.

For my skin a coticule edge is pure bliss. I currently have more than 10 vintage and 1 "new" and they vary. There is only one in the lot that I can't (yet) get a great edge from.

I think a safe bet for a first one is contact Ardennes and tell them the size and you want it for finishing straight razors, and please something that give smooth feedback while honing.

The reason I ask for one with smooth feedback is they have one (I think it's Les Petas) and it gives weird, bumpy rumbling feedback. Maybe it gives a good edge but not a great first coti IMHO.

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

For my skin a coticule edge is pure bliss. I currently have more than 10 vintage and 1 "new" and they vary. There is only one in the lot that I can't (yet) get a great edge from.

I think a safe bet for a first one is contact Ardennes and tell them the size and you want it for finishing straight razors, and please something that give smooth feedback while honing.

The reason I ask for one with smooth feedback is they have one (I think it's Les Petas) and it gives weird, bumpy rumbling feedback. Maybe it gives a good edge but not a great first coti IMHO.

Ah, yes. Pretty sure it is las petas. They're a little more green
colored, but to produce comfortable edges (or so I am told). But I agree with Tuzi to add the feedback request.

I forgot to mention, I have a "Select Plus" La Veinette and it is superb. If they have any left, it was the easiest stone to work with, but YMMV.