Quote Originally Posted by Pithor View Post
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Jimbo, you make it sound like I'm in a weird cult. I don't think people who love Eschers are fanatics, or people who love honing on Japanese naturals. That "flock" of that "mythology built upon pseudo-scientific principles" also consists out of many people who couldn't care less about how insanely awesome garnets magically eat away steel like a crystalized version of Pac-man, but for whom it just simply works. Just like people for whom doing a honing pyramid on a Norton 4k/8k just works, who don't care why it works.
I have no issue with anyone being into and/or doing whatever it is they are into - as Birnando said, from a certain point of view all of us here could be considered "fanatics" in one form or another.

My comment was directed more toward the person considering a coticule as a purchase. Sometimes understanding the history of a thing can enable you to put it into a more rational context. And in this case, there is a quite recent history that tracks quite closely with coticule pricing and the apparent "rediscovery" of Jnat-esque layers within the mine. Yes, yes, I know these layers have been "known" for years, but it appears a pricing strategy based upon them is a more recent phenomenon...

In any event, I like my coticules. Within their limits, they work for me and when I am in the mood I use them and enjoy them - just like every other stone I have. And that is why in my first response to the OP I suggested that it wouldn't be a bad thing to get a coticule, although I do agree with others that there may be a gentler learning curve if they took a synthetic or even pasted strop route.

James.