Originally Posted by
richmondesi
Blix,
The "hybrid" side of a LL is not significantly better, or give any more of a keen edge than others. I've had more than my share. They work, like the other stratas. I honed a razor on a La Petite Blanche for someone else and was complimented on how I can "squeeze" out that last bit of keenness better than he's been able to on any of his. I've seen that comment before (that LLs left keener edges), and I don't know many people who will buy it after thorough examination.
The fact of the matter is that if you have a coticule that is decent (and you really know how to use it well), you can get a very keen, very smooth edge... just like you can off other naturals.
Jimbo, I've compared several coticules to numerous hones (natural and synthetic). I've noticed differences, but nothing that makes any of the alternatives pale in comparison. What I have learned after spending way more money than I'm proud of is that all of them yield very, very similar results when maxed out, the difference is in the ease in which that stage is reached. I'm not sure that I'm respected enough, but there's my experience :rofl2:
Remember too that many "respected" members completely discount the vast majority of coticules' ability to finish an edge as well as other natural stones, so whatever we hear will have to be framed with that frame of reference :)