Thread: Sold on the Belgians

I always used synthetic waterstones, until I read about the Belgians. I purchased the BBW, Coti and added a Chinese 12K and that is all I need. The honing takes a little longer, but the results are great. The edge gets super sharp, but it is smoother on your face, more forgiving on cuts and less agressive on the face. No after shave burns. The stones are more expensive than synthetic, but they don't wear out as fast. I still use synthetic when I have to hone with less time or when the hone needs it. If you enjoy honing and do have the time, go ahead and add the Belgians to your honing stones, you will not regret it. Love them Belgians, Juan.

Maybe you are right Juan about the superior results on honing, however, they are very expensive.

Originally Posted by juannaredo

I always used synthetic waterstones, until I read about the Belgians. I purchased the BBW, Coti and added a Chinese 12K and that is all I need. The honing takes a little longer, but the results are great. The edge gets super sharp, but it is smoother on your face, more forgiving on cuts and less agressive on the face. No after shave burns. The stones are more expensive than synthetic, but they don't wear out as fast. I still use synthetic when I have to hone with less time or when the hone needs it. If you enjoy honing and do have the time, go ahead and add the Belgians to your honing stones, you will not regret it. Love them Belgians, Juan.

just how you describe the edges and feel on face is totaly true that is why i like the belgium coticule as the edge suits my skin , you can get a la patite blanch combo 125x40 for what 50 to 60 euros thats not bad you can buy a 6x2 for 120 e and it will last fore ever. btw what progression have you used with your naturals?
gary

There not expensive at all if you buy a reasonable size stone

Comparing with other stones of the same size, the prices of the Belgians are significantly higher.

I am not saying they do not worth it.

The fact that they cover the 4-12k range in syntetics might make them look less expensive
And where can you find one of the recomended syntetics in a 40x175mm size?
witch iss all the size you need unless you plan to start professional honing

I'm less conserned about cost as I am about feel, hard to argue with a coti edge, I need one for general use as I'm not to keen on putting the heirloom piece in circulation. One day I'll get another and be happy

Love the feel off a Coti

I try to keep my honing simple. If I have no edge I use 1k until I do, I use a magic marker on the edge to see where I am going. The BBW with Coti slurry about 30 strokes, the Coti with lather about 20 strokes, clean the Coti then use water about 20 to 30 strokes. The Chinese 12k with a hint of Coti slurry about 20 strokes, then lather about 30 strokes and then water 50 strokes. I then go to balsa wood with cro2 on it about 20 strokes. Last I use latigo strop about 30 strokes. So far I have not failed to get a great shave from each razor. Even the Filarmonicas that are hard to hone, finally came around. Other honers have their method, but this works for me and I am sticking with it. The lather is an excuse to keep on honing, I don't think it is necessary to use lather in the honing routine, I just enjoy honing. Juan

Juan, sounds like you found you niche..Congratulations..Many new honer's, have trouble with Coticules...They can be problematic, especially if you get a very hard one, that doesn't cut well. As Gary mentioned, if you can get a La Petite Blance stone, they are very nice, by far, my favorite coticule, it gives really good feedback with a slurry, and is an awsome finisher...I also like the fact that you use your own honing method, and didn't mention someone elses...Good for you mate..! That's what this is all about...

Originally Posted by zib

Juan, sounds like you found you niche..Congratulations..Many new honer's, have trouble with Coticules...They can be problematic, especially if you get a very hard one, that doesn't cut well. As Gary mentioned, if you can get a La Petite Blance stone, they are very nice, by far, my favorite coticule, it gives really good feedback with a slurry, and is an awsome finisher...I also like the fact that you use your own honing method, and didn't mention someone elses...Good for you mate..! That's what this is all about...

La Petite Blanche is my favorite strata as well.