I am going to buy a new hone and need to know, all opinions welcome. I am buying a new polishing stone to add to my bout. should I get a new bigger like an 8x2 coticule, a spyderco ultrafine, or something else. I know this has been talked to death but I can't find any good comparison of the two in the serches.
Don
There's this on Badger&Blade, take it for what it is, both the coticule and the UF are featured.
bjorn's post pretty much sums it up.
There are other differences: the Spyderco is meant to be used without lubrication/water, and it also is a biotch to lap if it is not flat when you get it. I have had great success with it so far, however, and it was my first (and only) finishing stone.
Don't forget the Chinese 12k. For $30, it seems like a nice option as well.
In case you haven't seen this yet--
From Mr. Zowada's website:
Chinese 12k edge:
http://www.tzknives.com/site/Photos/...l/China1Sm.jpg
Spyderco UF edge:
http://www.tzknives.com/site/Photos/...dercoUF2Sm.jpg
Coticle edge:
http://www.tzknives.com/site/Photos/...oticule2Sm.jpg
Currently I'm using diamond lapping film down to 0.5um, but I'm thinking to get the Chinese 12k myself. Seems like a nice smooth edge, and it has a large surface area (8 x 2 3/4).
One caveat.
The 12K is cheap but you will almost definitely have to lap it and it is not a cake walk to do. Thus you need to take that into account when making your choice. The Spyderco is typically considered to be flat enough to not require lapping.
I have both. I like them both. I cannot recommend either one over the other.