Thread: Need help about stones (looking to buy my first one)

Hi,

I am looking to buy my first stone. I have read a couple post about shapening stone. The problem is that I found too much information and now i am confuse.
I am looking for a norton 4/8k combo or a coticule. May you explain me the major defferrences between them.

I also have a noob question, can we use the grey side of a coticule?

thx

It depends on what you want to do with your hones, really. For just touchups, the coticule is probably fine. If you want to take razors from a set bevel (I would suggest a Norton 1k or something similar if you want to set bevels yourself) to shave ready, the Norton is the better choice.

In the hands of a skilled honer, the coticule and Norton 4k/8k can both do the same tasks, and the coticule will give you a smoother final edge. But learning how to make the coticule do the jobs that a Norton 4k/8k can do is not easy. So for a new guy, I would recommend the Norton 4k/8k over a coticule every day of the week.

If by the grey side of a coticule, you mean a slate back, than no. If it has a BBW glued to the back, then yes (but that's not grey).

I will buy a norton 4/8k then. Thx for the info. I am gonna buy a 12k grit stone later for a better final.