Thread: Barber Hone

I found an old stone which is yellow(coticle?) on one side and dark purple on the bottom. The yellow was fairly soft and the purple took more effort to flatten. Has anyone ever heard or used something like this.
Are both side effective for straights? I'll try to post pics later.

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like a Belgian Coticule. If that is what it is it should be ideal for razors.

If it's a coticule the yellow side is your finisher. the 'purple' side may be a blue sharpening stone or simply a slate base for the coticule and not for sharpening.

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What do I do to figure out the purple side?? Will it hurt to run a razor across it??

If it is purple it is probably Belgian blue. If it is slate it would be black. If you have something to make slurry with the blue will have a purple color and the slate will not.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If it is purple it is probably Belgian blue. If it is slate it would be black. If you have something to make slurry with the blue will have a purple color and the slate will not.

Exactly!

If you aren't sure, just post a picture

Thanks guys, the purple slurry gives it away. Not bad for $15 at an antique store. Stone measures 2x7x1. Had to remove much of the yellow side to square it up, but theres 1/4 of it left. Purple rarely used it seems.

Belgian Blue WOOO HOOO!

You did GOOD!

Originally Posted by jjpharris

Thanks guys, the purple slurry gives it away. Not bad for $15 at an antique store. Stone measures 2x7x1. Had to remove much of the yellow side to square it up, but theres 1/4 of it left. Purple rarely used it seems.

Belgian Blue WOOO HOOO!

Just for future reference. It doesn't have to be square. The honing surface does have to be flat. Here is a tutorial on the subject.

Flat, right. Thats what I meant.