It sounds to me like you already made up your mind about getting a Coticule...
If you do, make sure you talk to the vendor and find out what kind your getting...
As previously mentioned, they vary from stone to stone...

That's good advice btw, about getting one razor professionally honed, at least you'll have a bench mark..Surely there's some members in Canada thay will work with you...

BTW, Naniwa is just as good, if not better than Norton..
You can get the Naniwa Super stone 3k and 8k, or 5k and 10K.
Either set up would work fine...They are great stones...Consistent, fast results....

Enjoy