Thread: guess the coticule vein anyone?

I personally think people put too much importance on what vein a stone comes from. Who cares, or at least should care? The only important thing is how the stone performs and give me a beautifully smooth and fast cutting super vintage coticule over the best new "named" coticule any day of the week. People treat the named coticules the same as I would see in people sporting "Cartier" jewelry and Rolex watches. I guess you have to ask yourself, what importance is the stone for you - as a status symbol or a stone that just sharpens razors extremely well. I don't think any name will guarantee that, even the best named coticules. From any vein, some are good and some not so good. The vein does give you some idea of consistency and characteristics, but I don't think people throw the names around with that in mind. It has become expensive "razor" accessory jewelry with name status attached.

Originally Posted by eelzrvrs

here are two pics, i guess the other side shot didnt load. try n post that later..
the one on the left is the softest, far right is the hardest..all of these have backed with schist
any guess?
Attachment 93522Attachment 93523

I'm guessing the one on the left is a La Grise, but given my very limited experience with Coticules, I would take that with a large grain of salt

i can understand that Stone..but since these stones are glued to schist..figure they're not that old.. thought i might have a few people guess.. as im fairly new to cotis..figure some others can help people pick out better coticules if the chance comes along later..dont know why...but i fell in love with these stones..knowing there's better cutters & finishers then others. makes me think this last one isnt going to be the last>=)...figure someone can share a lil knowledge when it comes to making a better choice, unless one gets greedy if you know what i mean..

I would agree the one on the left is a La Grise. I have a bout that performs very differently then my 5 vintage stones. The La Grise leaves a very very nice edge almost buttery I guess you could say. And yes if it is glued to schist then it is not a vintage stone. The glued combos from back in the day were backed with BBW. I don't know if there is really a difference in vintage coticules and the new veins being mined. I just really like the vintage part, but this does not make them any better than a newly mined stone.

Originally Posted by stonehenge

I personally think people put too much importance on what vein a stone comes from. Who cares, or at least should care? The only important thing is how the stone performs

I have to agree with stonehenge on this. I don't know one vein from another but I know when a stone works well for me and when it doesn't. Years ago I someone gave me a famous maker's dress watch as a gift. I was doing ironwork and banged it on a column breaking the crystal. I took it to an old watchmaker and asked him if it was a "good" watch? (worth fixing)

He said,"Does it keep good time ? If it keeps good time, it is a good watch." Same with stones no matter what they name them.

Veins can be umpteen or more miles long. The Ardennes coticule veins have been given names by enthusiasts. But does the same vein many miles down the road have the same or different characteristics, looks etc?

Does it really matter?

Have you ever asked yourself where the iron was mined that your razor was made of?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I took it to an old watchmaker and asked him if it was a "good" watch? (worth fixing)

He said,"Does it keep good time ? If it keeps good time, it is a good watch."

I'll remember that next time SWMBO wants a $5,000 watch!

Originally Posted by Loewenherz

I'll remember that next time SWMBO wants a $5,000 watch!

I think it is safe to say that if she wants a 5 grand watch, simply being able to tell time isn't the only motivation for wanting it

If they are glued to schist then they are modern era ardennes stones. Maurice developed that backing in the modern era of the mine after belgian blue was found useful and no longer just a backing support like in the past.

Originally Posted by Disburden

If they are glued to schist then they are modern era ardennes stones. Maurice developed that backing in the modern era of the mine after belgian blue was found useful and no longer just a backing support like in the past.

Which brings up a question,is the BB on a vintage all natural coti of any use? have always wondered,this one is La Vennette (SP).