Thread: Help! ... What to buy next??

I have a Norton 4000/8000. I'd like to take things up to the next level, and am wondering what my next stone should be.

I can't say that "price is no object", but I am certainly past the "well, I'll get something to get me by and see if I like this straightshaving thing" stage, so you can suggest the potentially expensive 'keepers' rather than the 'maybe I give up" cheep n00b stones. (I'm not under the gun to buy one quickly on a limited budget, it's more mapping out my master plan to get a great set of hones for my razors ... )

I have a bunch of different razors, both carbon and stainless, sheffield and solingen, and a Fily as well. I don't know if this matters to the choice of stone, but there you have it.

I expect I'll be getting suggestions for natural stones (I kind of hope to go in that direction ... ) but I really know nothing about that so if there are different classes of quality or whatever please be specific if you can as to which one I should get. For instance, I have the general impression that there are two different colours of Belgian coticle ... does that mean two different qualities or grits? And links to vendors would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks! Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Doc,

The place to get coticules for razors is www.theperfectedge.com. Howard is the owner, and he's great to work with.

There are two different types of Belgian hones, which are different colors. There's the Belgian blue (it doesn't have another name, for some reason ), which is a 4K to 6K range stone. Then there's the yellow coticule, which is an 8K to 10K finishing hone. That's probably the one you'd want to consider.

The coticule is technically rated at 8K, but it produces a finer edge than the 8K Norton.

It's the only finishing hone I've used, although I've also experimented with pasted paddles. I really like the coticule.

You might also consider the Shapton line of hones. They sell a 15K and 30K hones that are pricey, but some guys have had really good success with them.

Josh

If your looking for a natural finishing stone, the choices are somewhat limited. there's the aformentioned belgian yellow coticule. there's the escher/thuringian stones (eschers are probably a bit better, but are costly. on the other hand thuringens are easier to find and cheaper). then theres the whole world of japanese waterstones, but thats opening up a whole can of confusing

don't forget that shapton makes a few different lines of stones, most ppl only consider the pro series. they also have the M15 series which feels more like a natural stone (softer and makes a slurry) and goes as fine as 12000

theres the 8000 kitayama (similar to the yellow coticule in that it leaves a finish closer to 12000). there's also the ice bear 10000 and naniwa 10000

Want a quality tool that gives some great edges at a fraction of the cost? Buy my Tony Miller 2" pasted paddle strop (1.0 micron/0.5 chromium oxide) for $40

Look at that, a convenient link:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=13607

I also have to second JoshEarl's recommendation for purchasing a yellow coticule from Howard and theperfectedge.com. A 6X2 stone should last you a lifetime and will only cost about $75 plus shipping. In my experience the larger and more expensive stones are nice but not necessary; in fact many people preffer to use the narrower and smaller hones such as the 6X2 because they feel that they are easier to use.

Coticule (Belgian yellow) AND a paddle w/ Chromium will be great steps to a smoother-feeling edge, in my experience.

Sure, there are a number of other stones - Escher, Thiringen, Hunsrueck, various Japanese mines (which are really confusing and hard to compare objectively). One time or another I will see a particular hone does miracles to an edge (and another hone cannot) - but this is just trial and error for me.

Many times Coticule + Chromium give me great edges. Sometimes a Y/G Escher does better. A couple of razors have loved my Japanese natural...

The recomendation for the Coticule is based on price / value, availability, consistency and Howard's outstanding customer service

Cheers
Ivo

Paddle with chromium oxide. I like my brushed leather surface. There'll be room for more in the future.

X

If I'd buy anything new I'd buy a quality coticule from howard, as well as a DMT hone for lapping.

My coticule is OK but it has 2 hairline cracks that I can feel when honing unless it is lapped perfectly flat. Coticules are very versatile. You can use them to remove lots of metal with a thick slurry, or you can use them with thin slurry or water to create a perfect polish.

The DMT is ideal for lapping because it stays flat.
I have a norton flattening stone that works wonders on my nortons, but I don't use it to flatten anything else because it wears fast, and the surface can become non-flat when lapping small stones. DMT's can flatten any waterstone without fear for deformation.

Eschers... Some people here like them, but they are bloody expensive. They can be up to 5 times as expensive as a coticule or more, simply because they are rare, not because they are 10 times better.

I'd also opt for the coticule.

Originally Posted by Bruno

If I'd buy anything new I'd buy a quality coticule from howard, as well as a DMT hone for lapping.

Sorry, if it's a stupid question - you mean DMT should be used to flatten coticule, correct? What grit/size should I get for 6x2 yellow coticule?

Thanks guys, your help is really appreciated. So it looks like a yellow coticule from the Perfect Edge. I see they have a bunch of DMT hones as well ... which one of thoes would I use for lapping my coticule?