Thread: Estimating bbw/coticule grits

Select and Standard grade Coticule is a visual grading
and has nothing to do with how well the stone work

I'm in the process of giving natural stones a go. Up until now I've been synthetics all the way (Shapton Pro Ceramics) but I lashed out recently and bought a coticule and a Frankonian and I'm getting some pretty impressive results from them.
You can't really give a grit rating of a coticule because you can use it like a 1k stone for bevel setting and then all the way through to a 12k finisher. I know most people say that a coticule is around 8k but I reckon it's more like 12k or even a little beyond. I can get edges off a coticule that I think are as good if not better than my Shapton 12k. The Frankonian takes sharp and smooth to a whole new level. It is a great finishing stone. I can now see why Gabor Buddel uses one on the straights he makes.

Originally Posted by janivar123

Select and Standard grade Coticule is a visual grading
and has nothing to do with how well the stone work

Really????

Because Ardennes says it does... In fact they go out of their way to eliminate as much of any inclusions as possible when cutting the stones... I don't know I just read what they said on their website and in our Wiki here on SRP

Originally Posted by janivar123

Select and Standard grade Coticule is a visual grading
and has nothing to do with how well the stone work

I dissagree...

I've had about 12 different coticule stones in the past year and the ones I all sold off were standard grade, my 8X3 Select LPB is my best coticule by far as it is most gentle on my edges.

I honestly don't see how it wouldn't make a diffierent using a surface that may have inclusions in it compared to one that doesn't. Also why would there be such a big price difference in the two grades if it didn't matter, just for looks? I doubt Ardennes is prices just based on looks when using two grades...

Originally Posted by Disburden

I dissagree...

I've had about 12 different coticule stones in the past year and then ones I all sold off were standard grade, my 8X3 Select LPB is my best coticule by fair as it is most gentle on my edges.

Do ones with a bit more pink "marbleing" in them have perhaps a higher count of garnets? I'm holding an example of 2 of my Belgian Coticules which have the slate backing. One is a bit more yellow than the other. The small one I got off ebay and the other from Howard. I assumed that the lighter yellow one would have finer garnets in it.



and here with the Dovo 6/8 for comparison. (Not all hands are the same size *S*)

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I'm in the process of giving natural stones a go. Up until now I've been synthetics all the way (Shapton Pro Ceramics) but I lashed out recently and bought a coticule and a Frankonian and I'm getting some pretty impressive results from them.
You can't really give a grit rating of a coticule because you can use it like a 1k stone for bevel setting and then all the way through to a 12k finisher. I know most people say that a coticule is around 8k but I reckon it's more like 12k or even a little beyond. I can get edges off a coticule that I think are as good if not better than my Shapton 12k. The Frankonian takes sharp and smooth to a whole new level. It is a great finishing stone. I can now see why Gabor Buddel uses one on the straights he makes.

I really don't think coticules go up to 12K-esque finishing.. I would say 10K if that....

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Do ones with a bit more pink "marbleing" in them have perhaps a higher count of garnets? I'm holding an example of 2 of my Belgian Coticules which have the slate backing. One is a bit more yellow than the other. The small one I got off ebay and the other from Howard. I assumed that the lighter yellow one would have finer garnets in it.



and here with the Dovo 6/8 for comparison. (Not all hands are the same size *S*)

I prefer my La petite blanche and that one has pink swirls with yellow smooth texture on it as well. I just think it's a matter of speed when comparing greenish to pinkish. I don't finish on my coticule though, I use it as a stepping stone inbetween synthetics and my Escher YG.

IME estimating the grit of a stone, natural or synthetic, is immaterial. They either work at the level you are working at or they don't. I just find the place a particular stone works well in and go there. In some cases the stone doesn't suit me and I look to another. Just IMHO.

This standardization only takes in account how the Coticule is shaped and does not effect the excellent grinding characteristics. “Selected” provides a homogeneous stone while “Standard” shows cosmetic defects or natural colourisation.

Exact quote from ardennes website

I would rather have an "ugly" rock that honed well than a "pretty" rock that didn't.