Thread: The earthy smell of the coticule

I guarantee all of mine smell like pipe tobacco ..... along with me and everything else in my space.

I love the smell of my coticules. So much more gratifying than synthetics--

Originally Posted by PDobson

I'm pretty sure that higashi-mono are shales.

Hello Phillip
I agree about the shale to a certain degree, although I suggest that the Kyoto stones are somewhat more exotic than the general shale/slate stone found in Europe and N. America that many of use equate with roof tiles and pooltable tops. The Kyoto stones from the Ultra Tamba Terrane have been exposed to magma for a "heat treatment" during the terranes migration from the Pacific Plate, where it was scraped off, to the Eruasian Plate and where it now lays like a scab over the mountains of Kyoto. It was during this transfer period that the chert-quartz within the clays of the original sediment, sort of toasted and became a high quality cutting agent with a particular super fine crystaline structure. The chert-quartz particles are mixed-in within the clays so a binder relationship is established. This is what makes this quartz different from the quartz locked up in granite like we see in general rock. In the Kyoto stones the quartz content is structured as individual particles too small to be seen by the naked eye rather than as bound groups or larger crystals you can hold in your hands. Call it stone or rock, the stones from Kyoto used for sharpening are something unique and this is why they smell like clay but cut like stone.

Thanks Alx. I'm kinda interested in geology (I do live in a mining town), and this was the best description of Kyoto stones I've read. I learned something new.

Phillip

I also enjoy the smell of natural stones. Both my coticules and my J-nat have odors that add to the experience of using them. Each one smells different making each a unique treat.

LOL Jimmy. =)

On a side note, I just smoked a bowl of rum (P&W Rumcake) in my new (vintage) gourd calabash. I'll have to try the G&H flake soon.

Me

Except for the three hones I dropped down the outhouse orfice, the others hardly have any earthy odor whatsoever.
On the other hand, earthy can be ajudged to be a somewhat ambiguous term. Sort of like the word "Smelly". There's a nostril full of ambiguity, huh?

However, my escher has the distinct odor of 18 year old Single Malt Glenlivet. Arghh matey!!!

We used to fly by the seat of our pants. Now we hone by the bouquet in our nose. Times change.....

Thanks for your kind attention.