To Norton or to Coticule..... That is the question!

[BBSWANNABE]

Okay, so here's the deal...

I'm graduating from college in December of this year, and my parents have decided they want to get me a graduation gift. I've been thinking that I (or my parents rather) should invest in a stone so I can better my honing abilities. I presently own the wojtec Arkansas, and the slate hone, both of which have gotten me CLOSE to shaving sharp, but not quite there. While I'm sure my technique probably has something to do with this, I feel a more tried and true stone might also be a wise investment.

Now for the question...

If I've been developing good bevels and getting close with the stones I have, should I go for the Norton 4000/8000, or go for the coticule/Turiengen??

I like the idea of using natural stones, and I feel that even if I get a Norton, I'll eventually need a coticule for finishing anyways. I have a pasted paddle strop already, but somehow I feel I need another step between the Arkansas and the paddle to develop a solid shaver.

Your thoughts??

[xman]

The Norton Combo is a better stone for you at this point IMHO. It cuts fast and is quite versatile. The coticule would be better used to finish the edge after the Norton, but a Chromium Oxide paster paddle strop works very well for me for the same purpose. the coticule is a very fine finishing stone indeed.

X

[thebigspendur]

Gee guy first things first. If your graduating from college and are contemplating a Graduation Gift I don't think it would be a honing stone if it was me. I would want something that I would always have and use on a regular basis, maybe a nice razor? Not a stone.

On to your question. The Norton is a different grit than the coticule. The coticule is more a 12K kind of stone even though its rated lower. I think the Thurengian is closer to an 8K or even 6K. I use the Coticule after the Norton 8K and think of it as a progression not a substitute. The norton is more important to have. The coticule comes next.

[JoshEarl]

I'm a big proponent of the natural Belgian hones, so keep in mind that I'm biased.

I'd say which stone is right for you depends on what your goals are at this point. If you have just a couple of razors that are pretty sharp already and you want to take them up a notch, the coticule might be the way to go. If you get a slurry stone, it's actually pretty versatile. With a slurry, the coticule can be used to do moderate bevel restoration.

On the other hand, if you think you'll be buying and honing a lot of razors, the Norton might be the way to go. You get a medium and finishing stone for a pretty decent price.

My hone setup is a 1200-grit DMT diamond hone ($55), a 6x2 Belgian blue ($40), and a 6x2 coticule ($65), and a cotigura slurry stone ($18). The Norton is only about $65.

One argument in favor of getting the coticule is that it's a slower hone, which will allow you to achieve a better edge with less practice. The old barber textbooks recommended slower hones when you're learning to hone for this reason. The Norton 8K is capable of producing really good edges, but it takes practice to get the most benefit out of it.

Just my 2 cents,
Josh

[BBSWANNABE]

I guess what's made me lean more towards the coticule is Alex's honing video. Seeing him use solely the coticule to hone lead me to belive that with the other natural stones I've got, simply taking 50 or so trips on the coticule, after my arkansas might be just what I need to get to the next level of sharpness. The versitility of the coticule is very appealing to me. However, I do know that there's a good deal of info on the Norton here, and many folks feel it's a rosetta stone of sorts for finding your way in the honing world.

Keep this stuff coming guys!!

[bth88]

One or two of each I say...

[majurey]

Gee guy first things first. If your graduating from college and are contemplating a Graduation Gift I don't think it would be a honing stone if it was me. I would want something that I would always have and use on a regular basis, maybe a nice razor? Not a stone.

+1! A nice razor would be a great graduation gift. You'd use it regularly, you'd therefore see it regularly, and you'd recall regularly.

Don't get me wrong, I love my coticule, but as a 'thing' it's, well, just a lump of rock after all! (Try and tell that to my wife when she's wearing jewellery!)

I have Norton and coticule, and I always enjoy the coticule more, partly because it means I'm on the home stretch, but also because it's natural, feels amazing, and is forgiving.

If your parents are in a position to do this, why not push the boat out and get a razor AND coticule?

[LX_Emergency]

Well...you've already seen my video...so it's not a surprise what I like best. However if you're thinking about getting it for a graduation gift I'd agree with the other gents. Don't get me wrong I love my coticules (I've got two now the small one from the video and a larger on that was a gift from the company that delves the coticules). But I don't see them very often. So for a graduation gift I'd also opt for something else. A nice pen, highclass knife, highclass razor etc.

But I still say the coticule is the ultimate hone for me.

[Berticus]

Gee guy first things first. If your graduating from college and are contemplating a Graduation Gift I don't think it would be a honing stone if it was me. I would want something that I would always have and use on a regular basis, maybe a nice razor? Not a stone.

I'm not one for presents (for some reason I just like getting things by myself, plus I really like spending money). But I acquiesce to this statement that maybe a new razor or something that would be more useful would be a better present. Personally I would ask for a new car or house.

If you don't have one already, I suppose a nice, engraved, personallized pen would be nice.

[Chopper]

My two cents... I'm not sure of your budget... But I do agree with the other members that a nice razor holds much more sentimental value than a hone... Me personally one of the customs from our fellow members sure would be a treat and a family heirloom...