Coticule Slant?

I received a brand new 50 x 200 mm coticule from a vendor today. It originally came from Ardennes Coticule's quarry. I looked at the stone, then laid it on a level surface and laid a level across the 50 mm width, and the stone has a definite slanted top. My question to more knowledgeable folks than I (other than Chinese 12k, this is my first natural stone) if this is to be expected? I plan on using this size as a "palm stone," so the slant is not as big a deal as it might otherwise be, but with the slant, it seems like it would be difficult to use on top of a table, at least not without altering my stroke. Should I ask the vendor to swap it, or is this par for the course with coticules? From other HADdict posts out there, I know that there are multiple coticule owners around here.

Thanks in advance.

I have 2 coticules in use and both have a definite "slant". You can level the slate on the bottom, but I just place it on a towel to level it out just a touch.

Not an issue. The stone should be lapped for flatness but needn't be level as a window sill should be.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not an issue. The stone should be lapped for flatness but needn't be level as a window sill should be.

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Thanks, Jimmy. I've already made the pencil grid disappear. It was pretty close right out of the box.

i find with my coticules that some can look slanted due to wh. ere they join slate is not level. But realisticly i would not be happy with one that slants send it back and rob would sort it. One of mine ended up slanted due to me honing on one side i now rotate to get even where.

I don't own a coticule but I see no reason it should be an issue. I own a Nakayama which has a chiseled bottom and I don't have it with my right now but from memory I want to say it lies at a 10 deg angle, though it could be as high as 15ish or as low as 5ish.

As mentioned before, you can level it by lapping or artificially by propping it up on something angled or soft, but its no biggie to just change your stroke some. If you take an ebay special and lay it flat on it, then tip it toe-wards (more pressure on teh toe) and heel-wards (more pressure on the heel) you get a feel for what even pressure is/feels like in your grip. Then when you hone just as always be very conscious and deliberate and you should be able to feel. If you're palm honing this really shouldn't be an issue at all because I don't know anyone who can hold two objects perfectly dead level- rather you can hold them level relative to each other by feel of pressure and practice.

I have 3 coticules and two of them are slanted. One of them quite prominently. I personally don't find it a problem as I hold the stone in my hand whilst honing.

I believe this is deliberate so as not to waste precious coticule, much like the bouts are odd shapes and sizes.

The coticules are finished by hand the flat face of a spinning diamond wheel, so the faces of the stone should be flat but are only parallel by chance.

Hi,
I have a 6in x 2in coticule with a pretty extreme slant-- to the point where one could not use it on a table top. Fortunately, I hone holding the stone...

-Chief

I have too many to mention, and none of them slant....Sorry....I too hand hone from time to time. There are plently of remidies depending on the hone. Contact your vendor if your not satisfied.