Thread: This Arkansas or a coticule

Hi, I am a this point that I have to start honing to preserve a decent shave.
This way of shaving is not very big in the netherlands and so is the availibility.
(I like seeing and feeling better than internetbuying, although I do quite a bit of it
One of a few (i think there are two) barbershops in holland gracefully invited me to come over and learn honing from him. He uses an Arkansas oil stone with a bit of oil. (I put the picture below, so you can see which one it is, i hope i get it right ). He has great results from it. But one reads a lot about the omnipotent coticule, which is quite more expensive.
What is wisdom? Getting the arkansas or splash out on a decent size coticule at about three times the price?
You can see the stone at:
http://www.winkelplein.nu/barbershop...Mt5d16nRcqo7Bk

I vote for the coticule. Check out Bart's website here to get some good instruction on how to use it.

Looks like a translucent Arkansas stone to me.

I don't know much about them, but I heard they work well.

I would still go with a coticule, and the reason why, is that it's like buying a couple hones in one.

Just need a touch-up? Splash it with water and get to work.

Got some microchips, or edge has gotten pretty dull? Slurry it up and start honing.

Then if you have a combo stone, you also get the BBW as well, which, I have found out recently, puts a nice edge on kitchen knives, as well as helps regain keenness after using the coticule with slurry.

Yeah, the coticule costs more, and obviously it's a personal choice, but I think the quality and functionality you can get out of it is worth it.

Like I said, I've never used a translucent Arkie for touch-ups, but I hope to hear what the guys that have can say about it

thanks Rob,

I read that the yellow coticule is put on a bit of slate for strength.
I thought you couldn't use it as a combination-stone.
I will have a look at Bart's information.

I would say coticule will be a lot easier to learn and get results then arkansas.
Arkansas is only for final touch stone.
Coticule you can do a lot more.
hope this helps

Agreed. It is the Translucent. A common misconception is that the Translucent Arkie is the finest, it is not. The Surgical Black is. I have the entire Arkansas line. They are great for knives, but not for razors IMHO. You have so many better choices out there for razors. I'd use a Chinese 12k before I'd use an Arkanasas on my razor....but that's me.
The newer Arkansas stones are nothing like their vintage cousins. I'm the first one to say there's no difference in Vintage vs New, especially in Coticules. I've always felt it depends on the stone itself. This is just my opinion, and I know there are a lot of guys with Vintage Coticules that are great. My contention is, that's why they are still around...Arkansas may be the exception to my rule. All the Arkansas stones I just bought are not impressive at all to me...that's just my opinion. I'm sure some guys love them...I would buy a Coticule hands down over the Arkansas. You'll have a much more versatile stone and a better edge on your razor for sure....

Also, you mentioned about Coticules not being a combo stone, Some are, some aren't. Most Coticule are backed by slate.
There are natural combo Coticules that are backed by Belgian Blue Whetstone, a 4k grit cutter. I've seen some glued together, but the real rare one's, and expensive are the "Natural Combos" Here's a pic of 6x2 natural combo. You can see how the blue and yellow just seem to blend together, rather than have a fine line.....

I bought a translucent Arkansas at a great discount (about $20, I think) right when I got my first straight razor. I like playing with it sometimes NOW, but back then it caused me nuttin' but grief.

Having never even seen one, I'd recommend you get a coticule instead.
Or anything else.

The coticule is a great stone. You can either use it in combination with other stones as a finisher by using just water on the hone (they are known for leaving a very smooth comfortable edge), or you can work up a slurry and use it for all stages of honing (this takes a bit of time to learn how to do, Bart has posted some threads on how to do it).

You'll find coticules in two configurations. One has a slate backing (for strength, not to use as another hone), the other is a "natural combo" which has a yellow coticule on one side, and a belgian blue on the other. These combo stones cost more, but have a lot of character, and you can use the belgian blue side to hone as well.

If you want to learn more about these hones, you can also go to Bart's coticule site: www.coticule.be.

-Chief

Originally Posted by toon

thanks Rob,

I read that the yellow coticule is put on a bit of slate for strength.
I thought you couldn't use it as a combination-stone.
I will have a look at Bart's information.

If you buy JUST a Coticule, then yes, it is fixed to a slate back and should not be used to hone.

A combination is, in a most cases a natural occurance where the coticule layer is right next to the layer of BBW, which can also be used for honing.

The Coticules are great, I have three of them, but there are more alternatives. Probably the cheapest is the Rozsutec which may require 2-3x more strokes than a Coticule but it's only 10 euro.

Personally I would first get a Guangxi if you're touching up shave-ready razors. It's cheap and slow but it will give you a really sharp edge. If your razor is too dull for a Guangxi you can get a 10k stone like a Coticule and use the Guangxi afterwards.

If you choose to get a Coticule then I'd recommand getting them from the source http://nl.ardennes-coticule.com, they have standard and selected grade Coticules.