Thread: What coticule to buy for a smooth edge?

Had some fun yesterday at Ardennes Coticule. Due to the summerholidays it was very quiet and Maurice and his son (IIRC his name is Rob) had some time to help me out. I had asked Maurice a couple of days before to get me a hone for a sharp edge that gives a smooth shave as well. They recommended a La Grosse Jaune (Yellow Fat Vein) hone. I had never heard of that vein before but apparently that is the new kid in town. I was given the opportunity to test the hone. I took out my 5/8 full hollow ground Herder and degraded the edge on a la Lorraine that they recommend for kitchen knives. I had not seen those before at Ardennes Coticule, they had quite a few. After 15 roundtrips on the LGJ its edge was very keen again. Back home the Herder shaved a 12 days growth off in one ATG pass Shave was very smooth, no irritation. Final verdict on this hone will have to wait for a couple weeks' daily use.
When I left I got a booklet on the geology and history of the coticule to boot For those who read French I can recommend it highly. The author explains complicated gelogical processes in simple terms.

Pictures don't do the hone justice. They were taken on the balcony of our holiday chalet that has dappled shade all day. The lighter areas of the hone are its true colour.