Thread: A Coffin Shaped Coticule

I won this rock on Fleabay some time ago and thought I would share it with all of you rock nuts.

It was difficult to tell if it was a coticule or any other type of valuable hone from the condition and vague photos. There was a bit of the base that was peaking over the edge of the box that led me to think it was a coticule.

This is the box with the original owner's initials, I think.



The box is very light, almost like balsa, but heavier. I think it is balsa that has soaked up water and shaving cream over the use of it - making it heavier.

One thing is certain, the owner loved this rock.

This is the rock in the box. It is very tight fitting. The box itself is a thing of beauty. It is finely crafted.


This is a dry shot. The dark colors are from a previous sharpening session of mine and not in the rock.



Here is a wet shot.



A bottom shot.



Side shot showing layers with visible garnets in the middle.



The other side.



I am a novice at sharpening razors. I have an old "The Campbell" that I am practicing on, but not reached the shaving stage with it. I can cut arm hairs sometimes, but I loose the edge trying to get it sharper. With this or any hone that I have also. It is not the stone, but my poor skills in sharpening.

The rock is heavy and fast cutting and leaves a nice edge on my knife. Once my skills improve I think, I too, will love this rock. I hope you do as well.

Here is a magnified picture of the surface through an Agfa 8X lupe.

That is a cool looking stone! Someday I will get a coticule but not until I figure out what I already have.

Very nice stone. Hopefully those veins can't be felt as you hone.

Originally Posted by Danricgro

That is a cool looking stone! Someday I will get a coticule but not until I figure out what I already have.

I went the other route. HAD hit me hard and I decided to buy stones first and get the razors later.

Only problem is, I can't stop buying rocks! Received my first J-Nat today. A Nakayama Honyama Asagi. She is so lovely.

There should have been some kida warning about the slippery slope of HAD in the Faq.

I just read where a local barber had passed on to that big hone pile in the sky. Rumor is he had a safe full of rare hones. Anyone got a spare thermal lance I could borrow?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Very nice stone. Hopefully those veins can't be felt as you hone.

Thats what would worry me...those veins look pretty prominant...almost like it broke and was glued back together...but the back side doesn't show it. Let us know how it goes with it. Defiantely looks like the owner loved his stone though...nice custom case for it

Those veins running through the rock are just that. No cracks. They do not affect the honing in any way. The surface has a mirror finish when held at a certain angle.

I think there are other posts here naming just what exactly those veins are composed.

I would like if anyone could name the layer that this was taken. Maybe Bart or others.

Old Coticules are nearly impossible to identify by the layer they are from since those quarries may not be open any more. Either way it's a very nice stone and will do a great job on razors.

A lot of old coticules I've seen have those veins in them, one of my does, it's my favorite coticule.

If you are having trouble getting a good edge, set the bevel in a light slurry and then just dilute with one finger drop of water from a glass and make 30 half strokes with a little pressure. Continue this until there is only water on the stone and finish on 60 laps with water, x strokes no pressure.

That coticule reminds me of a beautiful one that Chrisl has shown many times. I have several coticules that have veins and not one of them impedes honing in any way. They definitely are not cracks.

Nice stone. Does it have 3 layers, or 2 layers with an adhesive in the middle?