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Here's kind of a mind-boggling picture, from an online auction of two coticules:
http://downtotheday.com/photos/coticule.jpg
The yellow layer on the top one has worn completely through. I can't imagine how long that took, unless somebody was using it to sharpen axes.
The bottom stone looks in good shape. The top one looks dished out from sharpening knives. Probably still OK to use on knives.
MIke
The Bottom one looks like an Old Rock coticule, the brand made them in mostly that size from what I've seen. The Auction may be worth it just for that stone a lone, especially if the coticule is "soft".
That bottom natural coticule is just sweeeeeet. If you haven't ever used a vintage coticule of that size and thickness, they're great.
For finishing, I do hand-held rather than bench honing, it seems to help my feel of the steel on the stone, and lighten my pressure because I can sense it better. These old 2.5 x 5 x 1" "barber coticules" are my very favorites of all the coticules. I used to snag them at almost any price where I found them. They have (had?) the added benefit of going for lower prices because people seem to avoid "short" stones. I love 'em. I have Japanese naturals in the same size that are just killer stones. :beer1:
These old Coticules, imo, are softer usually and give a better edge than the ones you can't scratch with your nail.
Just Food for thought.
better how? smoother edge or just a closer shave, lol or both :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Disburden
It's preference, I find the softer ones to leave a keener edge and the hard ones to leave a mellower smoother edge. :needcoffee:
+1. I have a half dozen natural combos that size. The barbers I got a few from in the 1980s used that size. Also have a couple of Eschers that size. I wonder if there is a relationship between that size and them being for straight razors ? Forces you to use a particular honing angle.Quote:
Originally Posted by FatboySlim
Note that the barber hones are almost all 4" and the Escher labeled "Barber's Delight" and "Barber's Choice" are also 5x2". I also like the longer stones and I suppose they require less strokes seeing as how the longer strokes mean more contact ..... they're all good. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KalgoorlieBoi
I'm sure it is just personal preference - just another variable to add to the already confusing nature of these stones! I have found that hard ones are slower and leave a keener edge while fast ones are softer and leave a more velvety edge. Generally...!Quote:
Originally Posted by Disburden
I think Barts argument on coticule.be sums up why this might be so:
"...There might be more going on than just a story of garnets, but nonetheless, the speed of a hone relates to how deep it scratches the steel. And even if the depth of those scratches is not the only contributing factor, it is indubitably one of the key variables in the keenness that can be attained with a particular hone. Slow hones go keener..."
It seems that not only is there a difference in size of garnet particles between BBWs and coticules, but also among coticules - typical, just when I thought I had got my head round it! :)
Regards,
Neil
The smaller stone in that picture is only 3.5" long, not the 5" long type stone being referred to above. It is not your barbers hone sized coticule. It is smaller. From the ad:
"The large of the hones is sloped towards the middle and measures 6.5 inches long. The other is flat and measures 3.5 inches long. "