Thread: Question about coticules

I got into an argument about the narrow stone thing on another forum. Finally I just gave up. Just can't convince some people.

I would recommand the smallest size Coticule you can still comfortably hone on. If you can hone on small stones you will save a lot of money. Also make sure to tell your seller what kind of Coticule you want e.g. coarse/fine, shape and maybe even which vein. Coarse Coticules are great in a progression but I would only use a fine one to shave of.

Buying one from ebay can be cheaper but you don't always get what you want.

I think it's good that we can have different opinions about "ease of use" with regard to a narrow or wider hone. I believe it is something that falls squarely in the realm of opinion. Since it can be done using either hone, which seems to be something we all agree on, it becomes a personal opinion on which hone makes it easier. I say narrow, others with lots of experience say it doesn't matter. I would point out that lots of experience generally makes everything a little easier. I sincerely hope this doesn't come off as an affront. I just think it's fair to bystanders to mention it really comes down to opinion more than fact.

I agree. I have and use narrow hones. I like them alot. But on the flip side of what you are saying new people who already have there Nortons, Naniwa's, Shapton's etc which are wide don't have to feel that they need to go out and but narrow hones for problem blades. The wide hones will handle them just fine.

Originally Posted by Piet

If you can hone on small stones you will save a lot of money.

You aren't kidding.

Amen to that!

I would not buy Coticule on ebay. they are usually inferior. buy directly from the Belgians to the website.

Originally Posted by strawinski

I would not buy Coticule on ebay. they are usually inferior. buy directly from the Belgians to the website.

Coticules on ebay are simply not inferior. Why would they be?

I do not trust the dealers on ebay. As with the Thuringians. Also, the Thuringian but are very bad. I only buy the stones for experts. no one buys diamonds on ebay.

I'll have to change my wording I suppose...It's easier for me to hone a warped blade on a narrower hone. I had one razor with a heel that just wouldn't touch the hone unless I got an angle on the rolling x-stroke that made me worry about the pressure on the edge in relation to the edge of the hone. I'm sure once I gain more experience then I'd be able to work around it on a larger hone as well. Consider my endorsement merely a subjective opinion

However, I will agree with some others and say that for natural stones especially, narrower is definitely cheaper