Thread: Yellow Coticule vs Chinese 12k. Who has both?

russel,

yeah no offense, you have a point, i started considering the belgian cause i had been led to believe there was a combo blue/yellow, but from what i see you still have to buy two separate stones. Which is the main thing i wanted to avoid.

I think i'm just going to have to wait and see how much money i can afford, the norton 8k/chinese 12k seems like a good option still.

thanks guys

orfeo

Orfeo, if you are interested in the combo stones talk to Howard. They're rare enough that he doesn't list them on his site but the fact is he often has one or two in stock.

Originally Posted by orfeo

russel,

yeah no offense, you have a point, i started considering the belgian cause i had been led to believe there was a combo blue/yellow, but from what i see you still have to buy two separate stones. Which is the main thing i wanted to avoid.

I think i'm just going to have to wait and see how much money i can afford, the norton 8k/chinese 12k seems like a good option still.

thanks guys

orfeo

I own the combo stone and it is outstanding. Proof positive that God intended us to hone our own razors. Highly recommended. Call Howard and see if he has them in. He sometimes has them in three different sizes. I have the 6x2 and I love it...

I just ordered a 6x2 natural from Howard! I'll post pics/a review when I get a half decent camera.

Just an update: since starting in on this conversation I've had the joy of honing with a vintage coticule (that I got for pennies on ebay because they had no idea what it was), and I will gladly add a check mark in the "coticule lover's" column. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this stone.

But, does it outperform the Chinese 12k? No. The 12k puts a slightly finer finish on the edge. The difference is visual under an eye loupe, the coticule leaves a minimal amount of scratching while the 12k is almost a mirror shine.

But, does that mean there;s a difference in feel? No. At least not to me, each stone refines the edge to a degree that is (for all intents and purposes) indistinguishable from that of the other.

For cost effectiveness, go Chinese. For multi-purpose use, go Belgian. You will not be disappointed by either.