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.

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.

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 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.

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.

I did go to Ardennes website earlier today and seen the 6x2 and thought that would be the size that I would go with. For this purchase I planned on staying off eBay due to you never know what you might get from there. I've have had a few problems on razors there. And a few really good finds.

Yea, the current offerings on ebay are kinda iffy. Too small for honing (for me), over priced or look like off cuts from edges of layers.

2x6 is a good size to start out on. I would avoid bouts for now, rectangles are easier to transition to IMHO.

I was planning on going with the rectangles instead of the bouts, because that's what I'm used to already. Plus through Ardennes they give a free slurry stone. I was kinda leary of the 8x3 that's in an Ardennes box says it's new but it just seemed to be too cheap at $99 to trust.