Fast or slow is absolutely relative. I've spent more than two hours on several occassions trying to coax an edge out of a coticule. Turns out it wasn't the coticules fault ofc. But having said that, it's fairly obvious I'm more concerned with getting it right, than getting it done. It is nice for it to be right, and done though. :P So maybe slurry's not an option for these novaculites, but it's cool to hear that some of you long termers are using them some, and have good things to say. Jimmy, I'd be very interested to read how it all works out when you do the whole routine on Arkansas stones also.