Thread: belgian coticule difference

Originally Posted by Morturn

I have just bought one from Howard, and it’s a first class piece of kit

I have ordered coticule to howard. I take waiting for 2 weeks, I am impatient but I prefer to wait for if it is a stone of the best quality <img>

Greetings from Barcelona

I've been researching coticules for months now, the only diffence between the grades is the look. I have also asked other sellers about there stones and the consensus is they dont inspect there stones so i would definitely purchase from Howard because he inspects all the stones he sells. just because a shop is selling coticules doesnt mean that those particular stones are good for straight razors.

Originally Posted by Morturn

I have just bought one from Howard, and it’s a first class piece of kit

Had to be careful typing that one out, eh?

Howard shall have my business.

Keep in mind Coticules that have figure can add beauty and can be unique. I asked Howard for fancy figure pattern and he sold me this beautiful bout.

Figured markings -GOOD
Cracks and chips - BAD

Mike B

now hoarding hones finally starts making some sense

As far as I know Howard's Select is the highest quality (well - Kosher are, I guess, but that's about it - and there is no *official* Kosher grade, I think)

Howard is the man, and he can also get you Kosher quality - but you may have to wait.

Cheers
Ivo

Howard checks the hones he sells thoroughly. I thought my first coticule had a crack in it, and I called Howard to discuss a discount. He chuckled and told me to look more closely--it was vein, he said. No, I could feel the blade catch when I honed with it, I insisted. Use a microscope, he said.

I have that hone in the top drawer in my bathroom. I use it to touch up my blades when they get dull.

Howard knows his coticules.

Josh

I cannot see that a coticule would be unfit for use on a straight razor unless a chip, crack or some other thing is embedded.

I am really impressed with honemeister LX Emergency's video honing on his small bout. My observation is that skill has more to do with the quality rather than a specific coticule.

Howard said that the Kosher (Rabbi) grade was renamed as Select. I just checked an e-mail correspondance from last year to confirm this.

What we need if minerological validation as to variations in garnet grit size and garnet content. My hunch is that it is pretty uniform throughout a vein. Not sure though. Several people have stated that the garnets can be seen with a microscope. I would assume that uniformity could be confirmed from stone to stone with this method.
MikeB

Howard's stones will all be great for razors, but there is going to be some variation in natural stones regardless of the grade. It is my understanding that there are noticable differences among the hardness and softness of different coticules. Softer stones slurry easier but wear faster, it is harder to generate a slurry with harder stones but they don't wear as easily (not that coticules wear fast anyway though). All the coticules that I have bought from Howard have a great feel and put an amazing edge on a razor. If you are thinking about it and can comfortably afford the stone then definately pull the trigger.

Is there a way to tell if a stone that looks like a coticule really is one? My grandfather had a stone in his drill box that looks like a coticule. It's in rough shape but it may be salvageable. Any help there?