Thread: Think you know the Belgian stones?

Originally Posted by daflorc

And,

Reason why I think I might want a coticule is because I like the idea of having in my possession a rather rare and coveted rock, which I can also sharpen razors on

I can totally understand HAD and wanting a coticule just to have one. Definitely nothing wrong with that. But it is a misconception to say that coticules are rare, and I don't think they are particularly coveted either (at least not as much as most other natural finishers).

Originally Posted by daflorc

if you had to choose one stone as the only stone you could own, which would it be? ...you may occasionally have to reset the bevel, and you may occasionally purchase old razors just for the pure joy of honing them.

This is like asking if I had to dig a ditch would I rather choose a teaspoon or a tablespoon

I'd choose the Norton 1k and finish my honing on strops.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I'd choose the Norton 1k and finish my honing on strops.

Clever answer, but I'd rather have go for 4/8k. Or Naniwa 3/8k. Same difference and both 'one' stone. Can set bevel and finish to 8k level

Originally Posted by daflorc

For all you Belgian stone lovers out there, let me pose a math problem, for which I do not have the answer:

If the belgian blue is roughly 4,000 grit with 20-30% garnet crystals, and the coti is roughly 8,000 grit with 30-40% garnet crystals, and garnet crystals are what cuts the metal in our razors, then if you had to choose one stone as the only stone you could own, which would it be?

Keep in mind that: the garnet crystals in the belgian blue are larger and fewer, and the crystals in the coti are smaller and more plentiful.

and

Keep in mind that: you may occasionally have to reset the bevel, and you may occasionally purchase old razors just for the pure joy of honing them.

This math problem is as hard as asking who the president is of the USA given he lives in the White House, is good at basketball, his first name is Barack and his last name sounds like Osama to his daughter.

Originally Posted by daflorc

For all you Belgian stone lovers
....snip....
and

Keep in mind that: you may occasionally have to reset the bevel, and you may occasionally purchase old razors just for the pure joy of honing them.

You said "occasionally" and that decides it.

The majority of the time you apparently need to maintain
an edge. Thus for the majority of time you want a good coti.
Occasionally you want a more aggressive hone like a BB.
Should a good slury on your coti not cut it -- send it out or
pick up a 1K, 2K or 3K man made hone or a combo from
Norton or Nainwa. The choice has more to do with timing and
availability... and yes you can also get a BB if you see
one you want or a good price.

As for setting a bevel on the cheep check out
the 15 & 5 micron abrasive films from Woodcraft (Pinnacle
sharpening system). Applied to a solid flat surface like
a granite tile or plate glass there may be no more cost effective
solution for the occasional bevel setting need.