Thread: Which kind of stone and what size?

So what kind of stone should I buy to hone my razor? The Norton 4/8k is rather expensive if you compare it with a belgian coticule stone. Is it difficult to hone? And what size is necessary to hone? http://www.shaving-and-razor-shop.co...jpstenen-e.htm these are the sizes to choose from if I would choose a Belgian coticule stone. And when exactly do you know if your razor needs to be honed?

Welcome,

You'll need to do some searching. I'll start with this one. You know when to hone a razor the same way you know when to throw out a cartridge or DE blade.

Hi Castro, I just replied to your PM, but I will repeat it for those who are reading this thread.

I advise against buying from that shop. They sell good coticules and rotten coticules, and they don't make a distinction. If you are new to hones, or if you buy online, you can get a bad deal.

Go to www.theperfectedge.com instead and contact howard.
It is cheaper (thanks to a weak $) to buy one from howard and have it shipped to belgium, than to buy it directly from the store in antwerp.
Plus, Howard only sells quality stones, and prepares them for you.

Castro,

A coticule would be a great starter hone, provided you make sure to get a pre-honed razor. Getting a not-too-sharp razor shaving with just the coticule might be tricky for a new honer.

The coticule is a slower hone than the Norton, which makes it a good learning tool. If you plan to restore vintage razors someday, and who among us doesn't, you'll probably want to add some faster, lower grit hones like a Norton 4/8K or the Belgian blue and 1200-grit DMT hones that I use.

Bruno can help you get set up with this stuff. I highly recommend Howard at www.theperfectedge.com. He offers great prices and outstanding service.

Josh

I want to obtain coticule of Howard. As is the best way to contact with? I have been sending a private message to him but for many days that it is not connected. Habia thought about 150mmx50mm. that seems to you the measurement?

Greetings from Barcelona

You can email Howard at hschechter@theperfectedge.com

I've been waiting on a 6x2 coticule since July 11...lol

Don't worry, it's not Howards fault. There was a mix up with one of his shipments from Belgium and is only now getting back on track

I say this because you can expect a little bit of a wait to get a 6x2 coticule

I have succesfully used 4x1 coticules as a finishing stone.
If you want to use a coticule as a primary hone, you might want to have something slightly bigger like a 6x2.

Bigger than that is too expensive imo.

Castro,

You're in Belgium? Why don't you go to the quarry? Mr Celis is very nice, will show you round (speaks Flemish and French). He got me a kosher coticule for the price of an ordinary one with a free rubbing stone.

Hi Kees,

From where castro lives to the quarry is roughly 150 to 200 km. Possibly more, depending on exactly where he lives.
Lets say 150. This is 300 in total.
If we assume he drives diesel at 6l/100km, he ends up spending roughly 20 euros on gas at current prices.

20 euros is roughly 27$ or so,which is more than what shipping would cost to get one from howard. And that is best case. 6l/100 km is average, it is probably more than 150 km one way, and if he drives petrol, it will be 40% more.

And you pay retail prices at the quarry and they are not cheaper than what you get from howard.

As you already indicated, there are enough reasons to go there in person. It would be nice to see the quarry and have a chat with Mr Celis and have a day out with the family...
Come to think of it, I might go there with the family and enjoy a walk in the ardennes if the baby is a couple of months older.

But saving money is definitely not one of those reasons.

Bruno,

Money wise I couldn't agree more with you. I had two reasons to visit the quarry: 1st the fun factor, 2nd there has been on SRP a lot of discussion a while ago about differences in coticule quality, members having to send hones back. So when I discussed this with Mr Celis I found him very knowledgeable about his coticules and felt I wanted to have a look myself and be able to pick the hone myself.