coticule question

[Holyoke100]

I purchased this coticule back in 2010 0r 2011 along with a LPB from Ardennes I cant remember what the 2x8 is as in select or other. I tried a few times to hone with them and got frustrated , then went back to my Naniwa and Norton. I'm gonna give it another try with the natrual stone. I let a friend try the 2x8 out and would like someone on the forums to check out the pics to see if its damaged at all because it looks like the surfaces may have a few nicks or scrapes and how to prepare the surface for honing if lapping is not enough.