Thread: Not quite sure what I've got here

Found a couple of stones and was wondering if you could give me some information about the types and where they would fit into the honing progression. Thanks in advance for any help.

Do a SRP search for belgian coticule. lol... You did good.

Many people love these for razors.

But anyhow, yep..it's exactly what the label says. Natural mined stone from Belgium. For use with anything that needs to be sharp.

Ooops, and the other one looks to be a Hindostan stone. Which are rated differently by different people. I've yet to get anything out of mine, but some guys say 9-12k grit. Really cool stone because the mines been closed since the 60's. They were used for a lot of different purposes. On of which being as grave markers. I'd be very proud to come home with those two!

Wait a minute...You were being facetious...and here I thought I was being helpful. LOL

Originally Posted by regularjoe

Do a SRP search for belgian coticule. lol... You did good.

Many people love these for razors.

But anyhow, yep..it's exactly what the label says. Natural mined stone from Belgium. For use with anything that needs to be sharp.

Ooops, and the other one looks to be a Hindostan stone. Which are rated differently by different people. I've yet to get anything out of mine, but some guys say 9-12k grit. Really cool stone because the mines been closed since the 60's. They were used for a lot of different purposes. On of which being as grave markers. I'd be very proud to come home with those two!

Wait a minute...You were being facetious...and here I thought I was being helpful. LOL

No, it was an honest question. I've yet to get my honing stones together. I keep collecting them and usually they aren't any good for razors. The only other stones I have that are useful are a couple of barber hones. Thanks for the information. I tried doing a srp search and it's getting hung up.

So would the belgian be considered a finishing stone and what is the difference between the two sides? Thanks.

The 'yellow' side is the finishing side. The blue side was considered inferior and only used to reinforce the fragile coticule. In recent years guys have found the blue side might be effective with slurry. Personally I don't bother with the blue ..... A.K.A. bbw or Belgian Blue Whetstone.

The hindustan is not known to be much good with razors. AFAIK they were abundant in Indiana to the point that they were used for tombstones quite a bit. Unless I'm badly mistaken they harvested most of what was around years ago. Might be good for your pocket or kitchen knives. If I'm (shudder) wrong I'm sure someone will be along to correct me.

Beautiful stones, about the hindostan stone, some of them can be really good for razors, some not so much, yours looks like its got some deep scratches and will definately need lapping before use, hoping the other side is scratch free because they can be a bear to lap. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Beautiful stones, about the hindostan stone, some of them can be really good for razors, some not so much, yours looks like its got some deep scratches and will definately need lapping before use, hoping the other side is scratch free because they can be a bear to lap. Enjoy!

I did lap it and got the digs out and it seems really smooth and flat now.

Some BBWs can be useful especially if you have a limited amount of hones. Hindostans can range from coarse to fine finishers. You'll just have to try and find out where to put them in your honing progression

Originally Posted by Miner123

No, it was an honest question. I've yet to get my honing stones together. I keep collecting them and usually they aren't any good for razors. The only other stones I have that are useful are a couple of barber hones. Thanks for the information. I tried doing a srp search and it's getting hung up.

So would the belgian be considered a finishing stone and what is the difference between the two sides? Thanks.

http://www.coticule.be/

I have a hindo.. I paid way to much for it and the payoff wasn't worth it.. It does look cool in the old box it came in though... Coticles are worth their weight in gold though. If you are just starting out, pick up a King 1k for bevel setting, a 4k Shaptons, and 8k shaptons.. Finish on the coticle for a butery edge and you will be set for life.. Don't listen to these guys.. They may be Honemeisters, but I have been elevated to Hone Hamster status.. Which means I have successfully vibrated my way into a different earthreal plane.... Or, that i can shave a hamster... i can never remember which one it is..

Thanks for the replies. Just getting things started in the honing dept. I've done some using other peoples hones, that was quite a while ago but want to get my setup going. I've got both stones lapped now. Glad I've finally found a good one I can use.

How do the Norton hones stack up against the shaptons etc? I know they have them at a local shop here.