Belgian Yellow Coticule vs. Chinese 12,000

These two stones are mentioned in many threads in many forums. Does anyone have both? And, can such members make a comparison as to which PERFORMS the best. The Belgian Coticule is very much more expensive. Is that because the stone is rare and/or quarried with 'expensive' european labor vs. abundant stones from China quarried with 'cheap' asian labor?? Or, is it really a better (performance-wise) stone??

(No offense is intended to our european or asian members by the use of the words 'cheap' and 'expensive'. It is a well known fact that there are wage differences around the world and that, in general, our asian friends get 'less' for the same work that europeans and americans do. Thankfully, for workers, the gap is closing.)

My observations are that both do a very good job. You might also look at threads that talk about the Escher, Thuringer tpe stones. Tony Miller has some of those for sale and at least one other person on this forum.

If your funds are tight, like mine are, I would get the Chinese 12K first.
BTW, I have multiples of all those stones.

Just my two cents,:)

Just what Randy said... The only thing I'll add (yes I've had both stones), although both do a fine job as a final hone to polish a very fine edge, the Chinese 12K is VERY SLOOOOOW in comparison to the Coticule. To get a comparable edge, I used about a 10:1 ratio of passes on the Chinese to the Coticule. In other words, I'd finish with 10 to 20 passes on a Coticule versus 100 to 200 passes on the Chinese.

I no longer own/use the Chinese 12K.

Just another data point,
Ed

Yikes! 10:1!

I don't have a Chinese 12K, and don't think I want one right now then...

(LOL Randy, I remember the $2 Eschers)

Cheers
Ivo

I imagine that the Chinese stones (like many other products) are priced according to the biggest cost of most businesses which is labor. The Belgians may get big bucks in Brussels and Antwerp but way out in the sticks - in the Ardennes Forest of southeast Belgium, I'm sure the labor rates scale back just as they do in many rural areas. The whetstone business isn't really a way to riches!

My suggestion is to get both and try them for yourself. Yes, the belgians are more expensive but they are the standard and have been for hundreds of years. I have both the Chinese and the Belgians and I don't rate the Chinese at 12k by the feel of the stone. Tim Zowada's photos don't seem to indicate that either. The coticule 8000 is more like a 10,000 relative to the results it gets.

The Chinese is a slower stone than the coticule and I don't like to spend more time honing a blade than necessary as too many things can go wrong. These range from nicking the blade to cutting yourself.

Howard

- - - for your comments. I guess I need to start looking for the best price for a yellow coticule.

That's easy. Go to www.theperfectedge.com. Click on an item. Buy it. :)

Josh

Yes i agree with all, the chinese 12k takes forever!! I myself am going to purchase a Coticule because of this.