Thread: Thoughts on standard grade Coticule for hones

I've been very curious why Standard grade has not had much consideration for hones as the Select has been so much harder to obtain at this time. I've heard some say that they both are comparable but standard has cosmetic flaws i.e. color variations. Some say that Select is more effective. I believe the Standard should be marketed more heavily as the Select is harder to obtain for a reasonable price.

What do you guys think?
MikeB

I believe that Rob of Ardennes has said that the standard is comparable but as you mentioned may have some cosmetic issues. Some of the vintage coticules I've got have cosmetic flaws and they are good hones.

If there are no flaws or inclusions that could damage the blade then they sound great to me.

Mine is a standard grade, no worries here.

Some of the standard grade cotis are stunning.

I recently picked up this vintage combo stone fairly cheap. It's 5 X 2.5 X 7/8ths inches in size, with a bunch of lines in the surface. I lapped all six sides and re-beveled it. It's certainly not select grade, but it's truly outstanding. Very aggressive cutter, the most aggressive Coticle I have. Maybe it's the handy size or the lines, but wow what a stone. Like Mom told me: pretty is as pretty does:

I've had a few coticules and TBH I think they all work well enough.
If you have set a good bevel and sharpened it enough, any coticule will polish/refine the edge so all that is needed is a bit of CrO2 or some-such to get a very keen razor. Some hard fine coticules won't need any further refining, these fine coticules are not necessarily plain looking or "select" stones.
I do think technique has more effect that the type or supposed "quality" of the stone.