hello could you tell me the quality of the belgian coticule the theperfectedge.com sell?
what is the difference between "fisrt quality" and "selected quality"?
thanks
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hello could you tell me the quality of the belgian coticule the theperfectedge.com sell?
what is the difference between "fisrt quality" and "selected quality"?
thanks
I'm sure you'll get some answers here, but you can also email Howard there and ask him. He pops in here once in a while too.
Jordan
Howard only buys and sells the best grade of stones. He is a great guy too :tu
It's all very confusing. Howard's site states, "We ONLY buy the Selected Grade." But the Belgian Shaving and Razor Shop, in Belgium, sells both Selected and First quality stones (first quality being the higher grade). Moreover, it describes the difference as, "The name 'First qualty' only has to do with the look of the hone (very few impurities) and NOT with the sharpening quality. You will achieve the same result on a 'selected quality'!"
first gquality has an higher grit? it is more smooth?
As I said above, according to the Shaving and Razor Shop,Quote:
Originally Posted by danzyc
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveS
I can tell you, Howard is very picky about the stones he sells. It took me about a month to get my coticule because he kept rejecting stones being sent by his supplier. I'm no expert, but according to every post I've ever read on the subject, Howard is a vendor to be trusted.
i've seen the recommendation NOT to buy from shavingandrazorshop since they dont give a hoot about what they send out. regardless if you pay more for first quality you might still get a cheap stone
i've been waiting over 2 months to get a coticule from Howard since he 's waiting for the perfect stones to come in. in the end it's probably worth the wait because i want to be sure my stone has Howards seal of approval
Let me tell you that Howard is your man. WHen getting into the honeing aspect of shaving, I gave him a call and he talked with me for about 30 minutes about what I would need, myths from the boards, and overall his products. He didnt steer me wrong and basically said that if i ever have any questions not to hesitate to call him up.
I have just bought one from Howard, and it’s a first class piece of kitQuote:
Originally Posted by IsaacRN
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>Quote:
Originally Posted by Morturn
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.
Had to be careful typing that one out, eh? :wQuote:
Originally Posted by Morturn
Howard shall have my business. :tu
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. :tu
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?
examine some slurry under a microscope. garnets will show up as red particles identifying it as a coticule
Make sure the scope you use has the right power as my cheapo cannot see the garnets. I'm planning on one that has a higher resolution in the near future.Quote:
Originally Posted by edk442
MikeB
Select quality are those selected from among the first quality stones as the best. The Select are more expensive.