Thread: Coticule

It would work but you would be mixing slurries. If you're buying direct from the quarry it may be an idea to post them the question too (they may even throw a slurry stone in with the deal, you never know).

Hmm, seems logical really. Probably wiser to just get a combination slurry stone, they must have some lying around somewhere in that basement of theirs...

I just looked in the classifieds and Zib is still selling combination slurry stones so if the one you're considering doesn't already come with it you could get one there.

You can get a combination slurry stone too, but the coti slurry works totally fine on the BBW side too. But the truth is that you won't use the BBW side too much, the coti side is so much better for everithing after you know how

Originally Posted by AlanII

I just looked in the classifieds and Zib is still selling combination slurry stones so if the one you're considering doesn't already come with it you could get one there.

That's where I got mine...

Originally Posted by jeness

You can get a combination slurry stone too, but the coti slurry works totally fine on the BBW side too. But the truth is that you won't use the BBW side too much, the coti side is so much better for everithing after you know how

That's been my experience too. Some do find the BBW useful though and I wonder if it's just lack of persistence on my part.

The BBW study on coticule.be has the .pdf on the study, which also includes the method used.

The honorable Tat2ralphy kindly shared his method using normal edge-leading strokes and no tape. The 'uniblue' method is on the site. The 'dilublue' method is buried in the threads, so here it is. Thank You, Ralphy.

If performed correctly the BBW edge is just as nice for me as a Coticule edge, however it does takes some practice, the "uniblue" method finishing on tape and using a back stroke action, is I find easier than the "Dilublue" method where no tape is used

Here is how I perform the Dilublue, start as always with a razor dulled on glass, then I set the bevel using a thicker slurry than I would use on a Coticule, and I perform sets of 50 instead of 30 half strokes, expect this to take a little longer than when using a Coticule, then I thin the slurry to a milky like thickness, and perform 100 regular X strokes, after that I thin the slurry down again to a misty water like one, and perform a further 100 regular X strokes, that's it done, the HHT is usually a nice 3-4 and I find it typically improves less than a Coticule edge does after the 60/60 stripping on cloth/leather

Sounds very simple, only 2 dilutions and 200 X strokes once the bevel is set, and it is simple, however like I said it does take skill and practice to perfect, I would recommend doing it a good few times before you expect a wow moment during the shave, however once you have got it down, you should be rewarded with shaves as close and forgiving as you could wish for, and no resulting I'll effects to your skin.

Excellent.....I'm going to try that right now.

Anything you do on the blue side increases the life span of the yellow side. There's no point depriving your great grandchildren the joy of using your coticule!

Originally Posted by AlanII

I just looked in the classifieds and Zib is still selling combination slurry stones so if the one you're considering doesn't already come with it you could get one there.

Well, since I live in Finland, I guess it would be cheaper either way around to order it along (or indeed, just ask) from Belgium, considering shipping, price and all that. And living (relatively) close to the source (approx. 2000 km) and actually born just about 150 km away from the quarry, it would feel silly ordering any Belgian stone from the US or beyond. If they don't have any I would consider the ones in the classifieds though.

And this being my first hone ever, I think it would take a while before I would have the skill to pass up on the BBW side altogether. Plus why focus so hard on wearing out one side? I could opt for two seperate stones and sell on the BBW once I get the hang of the yellow, but the price/effort/time ratio for me is such that this is the most viable, attractive and cheapest way of getting any functional honing set-up. One stone that lasts a lifetime, why pick anything else? I'm not about to spend a fortune every ten years to get the perfect edge, I am however willing to invest a bit of money and plenty of time to aqcuire a very, very good edge, bordering on perfect.

Thanks all for the advise.


Edit: Order placed, slurry stone for free. Now nothing left but waiting and happy honing!