Thread: BBW and sizes

Save your money for a 6" or longer. Yes, you can make do with a 4" or 5" but 6" is just easier to use.

RE the BBW....the garnet size in a BBW is much bigger that a Cotcule and, usually, the binder in a BBW is much softer. This makes for a very different honing action.

FWIW, whenever you do decide to purchase a Coticule be sure you have the right to return it for a refund if your not satisfied. Coticules vary in hardness and fineness and I have seen a few that were not worth beans.


Just my $.02,

Well I guess the decision comes down to what I'll try.

I on YouTube I've watched people use tiny oddly shaped chunks on YouTube (the ardennes tutorial), to small wide squares, to long and narrow strips.

So, if I take the jump for a tiny coti, I might not be able to get good technique.
If I get the 150 x 50 BBW, I might not be able to get the edge fine enough to shave.

For a finishing hone the BBW will not cut the mustard. If it did then everyone would have one.

I really think there are more versitile hones out there than the BBW. For me, the finish is around the 6k-8k range, and quite smooth gives a nice, close, smooth shave. You can use it with slurry after the 1k, but couldn't set a bevel on it (or I wouldn't suggest it). And that's really the downfall, IMO. The BBW is not a fast cutter; it's decent with slurry and very slow without. If you wanted a Belgian, I'd rather just use the coti after the 1k and take it up as high as the coti will take you. If you want something in between, I think synthetics are much faster and more consistent.

That said, it's fun to play with a BBW now and then, so I keep mine around.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I really think there are more versitile hones out there than the BBW. For me, the finish is around the 6k-8k range, and quite smooth gives a nice, close, smooth shave. You can use it with slurry after the 1k, but couldn't set a bevel on it (or I wouldn't suggest it). And that's really the downfall, IMO. The BBW is not a fast cutter; it's decent with slurry and very slow without. If you wanted a Belgian, I'd rather just use the coti after the 1k and take it up as high as the coti will take you. If you want something in between, I think synthetics are much faster and more consistent.

That said, it's fun to play with a BBW now and then, so I keep mine around.

So you are able to shave off the BBW?
I kind of want something flexible, that can get from my DMT 1200 to shave ready, otherwise id just get a cheap 8k waterstone to sit after my DMT 8k, in leu of my Spyderco UF. but of course I am on a budget, so I was hoping the BBW would work, otherwise a small piece of coti. I don't think I'd need to set the bevel on either, as I do have a full set of DMT which can do that more than efficiently

Yup, I can definitely shave off the BBW. But I can get to the same point faster with a coti (or one stone honing on many other hones), or faster and more consistantly with synthetics.

Personally, I don't like the DMT8k; I find it too aggressive for it's grit rating, and I also don't like the feeling of honing on it. I suppose both of those are personal preference, though. I remember having a similar chat in your "sufficient" thread.

Just so you know, I have a BBW that does leave a good edge to shave off with. I also have to add that out of about 20 different BBW I have messed around with this is the only one that does that. YMMV but if you do go the BBW way and happen to think the cutting action isn't up to par with a 4k maybe you got lucky. Just for reference the edge off the BBW I have is better than the coti side (its a natural combo).

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Yup, I can definitely shave off the BBW. But I can get to the same point faster with a coti (or one stone honing on many other hones), or faster and more consistantly with synthetics.

Personally, I don't like the DMT8k; I find it too aggressive for it's grit rating, and I also don't like the feeling of honing on it. I suppose both of those are personal preference, though. I remember having a similar chat in your "sufficient" thread.

I'm getting a just about HHT passing edge with the 8k and UF. I know it definitely could be sharper, i was impatient to test my results. I found that i could get good tactile feedback out of DMT plates by using tape on the spine, and soapy water. actually quite comfortable, but i don't know any other way, which is why i'd like to try another.

However, i'm on a budget, which is why i'd like something flexible/versitile. That way i would only have to buy one. unfortunately there really isn't any way to try out other methods without actually buying them.


1) are there synthetics that can do this as well?

What i'm getting so far is:
-the majority of BBWs are 3-5k (not finishing quality), but some rank 6-8k.
-Coticules should get finished edges, and if they don't they should be replaced
-BBW can get finished shave-ready edges, but it's really up to chance, and will be slower than a coti ($35 price difference, i can live with slower).

2) If there aren't any synthetics that can do what i would like in a similar price-range, is it better to do the BWW from SRD, or get a really small or misshapen coti in the same price-range. I'd prefer not to have to save up and get a large coti, as my goal is to over time try a bunch of methods to shave-readiness and then transition my hones to what i prefer.

I might call SRD and ask them what their stock of BBW is like. if i end up picking one of those up and liking it, probably next in my sights is a proper coti (granted i've got to dose my HAD spending over a period of time. my policy is to not add to my spending fund. I just sold a knife, which is why i've got some money to spend.

If the BBW is attatced to a Coticule there is better odds that its a good finisher (If i read the info on another site correctly)
If going for a Coticule 125x30 is good 175x75 is great, and standard grade work atleast as well as select
If ordering from ardennes-coticule.com (15€ shipping) mention that you need it for sharpening razors(they sent me a slurry stone even tho i didnt ask)

Woops its not 175x75 but 175x40 that is the great size

Well, if i go coti the bare minimum is 125x40, which i'm still not sure if it'd be comfortable or not. i'm pretty quick at picking up new techniques, so i won't know if i dont try. but i don't want to have to learn on something that's overly difficult.
that is $70 shipped from ardennes-coticule.com, which is already more than i'd like to spend.

how about bouts? how do they turn out? what area should i look for?