Thread: Belgian Coticules

Well, having watched Lynn's DVD which was packed full of useful tips, info and ideas, I think I know what I was doing wrong with the Belgian coticules.

I purchased from eBay a set of two coticules: one that is two-tone (yellow & blue) and another single, blue stone. No matter what I tried it seemed neither would hone my razor. According to Lynn's DVD I need a Japanese stone (name slips my mind right now, although I think it did begin with an 'N') to create a slurry on all of these stones, something for some reason I thought was not necessary. Now, I know something similar can be created using sandpaper, although I am interested on finding out more on this Japanese stone - where can I get it and is it available in Europe? For how much can I get it? Also, I see that Lynn makes good comments about the Norton as it creates an edge quickly - something that seems attractive to me. I know the cost a lot around here, so is it worth getting a Norton as well?

Don't know about European availability but it is called a Nagura stone. You can get them online here:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...t=1,43072&ap=2
if you cant find one locally.

I purchased my coticule from a Dutch site that included a fragment of the same stone to be used as a Nogura stone. They were extremely helpful, and if you contact them they might be able to help.

I'm also waiting on delivery of a Norton 4k/8k from the US. Not many sites supplying Nortons will ship to UK, and those that do tend to be expensive. However, some of them have the full range of Nortons, flattening stones, and their equivalent to Nogura stones for the higher grits. I don't have any of the links to hand, but I found those sites by googling "norton 4k 8k" and wading through the results.

I decided on getting a Norton because developing my honing skills is something that interests me. But if you have the razor honed by one of the guys on here, then from what I understand in theory you can rely on various pastes, the coticule, and great stropping to keep the edge for a long time.

Mark

Originally Posted by alexaggie

Don't know about European availability but it is called a Nagura stone.

That's the one - Nagura. I'm sure it's been mentioned here before, enough times in fact. Just couldn't find any recent posts.

Thanks, Mark. I've seen that site before - it's pretty good. Only problem here is that I already have the coticules, so additional ones would be a waste for me right now. I know I can get it from the US site posted by alexaggie, but (although I've got nothing against buying from the US), it's just the fear of customs taxing us for anything that comes in and longer delivery times...

You can get the Norton 4k/8k from a UK site (albeit at a UK price too ). Here are a few sites after a bit of digging:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/NCWS3
http://shop.johnlloydfinefurniture.co.uk/ - look under Manufacturers for 'Norton'

Originally Posted by majurey

...

Is this a Nagura stone as well, or is it some variation of it?

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/39361

Nice research, rum! I couldn't for the life of me find a UK site selling Nortons. See what you mean about the price though. For the price of the Norton 4k/8k on that site I'm getting the 4k/8k, a Norton flattening stone, and international p&p!

The prep stone on that site sounds like it does the same thing as a Nagura in principle. Couldn't comment on how well it does it though.

(And I'm really hoping that customs let that one through without VAT!)

Cheers
Mark

Originally Posted by majurey

Nice research, rum! I couldn't for the life of me find a UK site selling Nortons. See what you mean about the price though. For the price of the Norton 4k/8k on that site I'm getting the 4k/8k, a Norton flattening stone, and international p&p!

Thanks, always happy to help out where possible (yippee! I'm a senior member now!).
Prices are all part of the rip-off Britain culture around here. No doubt our American friends will have heard of this by now.

The prep stone on that site sounds like it does the same thing as a Nagura in principle. Couldn't comment on how well it does it though.

Yep, seems a lot more than that US site though and postage is £6!!!

(And I'm really hoping that customs let that one through without VAT!)

You should be so lucky!

Try www.japanwoodworker.com for Nagura stones, and the Kitayama 12000 grit stone Lynn referred to.

Try Axminster power tools, they stock nagura stones for £1.40 I think.

PuFF