Thread: Looking to add a hone, which is best?

OK, I got a nice Norton 4/8K from JoshEarl, thanks for that. Its almost new, and will break into it soon.
I want to add a finishing stone to the collection, and this is what im looking at.

Chinese 12K

Belgian Yellow Coticule

Any help is appreciated.

It all depends. The chinese is a bang for the buck item and does a fine job. The coticule is far pricier if you buy a large one but will do a superior job. I don't have a chinese but I do have a Kitayama which is similar and since I got a coticule I really don't use the Kitayama.

Is the Kitayama the same grit as the Chinese stone?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It all depends. The chinese is a bang for the buck item and does a fine job. The coticule is far pricier if you buy a large one but will do a superior job. I don't have a chinese but I do have a Kitayama which is similar and since I got a coticule I really don't use the Kitayama.

I would recommend the yellow coticule. Howard at The Perfect Edge has a nice stock and good prices.

I was in a similar spot, only my three potential choices were:

Shapton 16,000 grit
Chinese 12k
Belgian coticule.

I really want a coticule, but I can't decide if I want the 2-inch or 3-inch. So I decided to postpone the coticule and get the Shapton now. I ordered today; there is a free shipping offer in effect here:

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/Q!0000000.htm


All totaled, I spent $250 today on shaving stuff.

I have both and I would recommend the coticule. I would however spend the extra $20 for the 2" wide. Some people prefer the 1.5", I like the 2".

Nothing wrong with the shave off a Norton 4K/8K followed by the Chinese 12K. If your budget is limited, that is a great setup. You are going to need something to lap them with too so budget for a DMT coarse unless you want to gamble with the Norton on the sandpaper alternative. Lapping that Chinese 12K will take you quite a while on sandpaper.

Ok, I am odd man out on this one. I find that the Chinese 12K gives me a sharper edge than any of the coticules or thuringen/escher stones that I have. But... the coticule and the Thuringen/Eschers give a more comfortable shave directly off the stone.

The Chinese 12k is more difficult to lap flat and does require, for me, at least 100 laps but I like it so much that I paid full price for 2 of them. One is a backup, I never want to be without one.

Just my two cents,

Hi i do hate to go to against Randy but if i was in your spot i would buy escher.i love them or Belgian which is (very tricky) to find right coticle.Belgian's are so different.i will post 1 of belgian coticle +esher together.

They're all great for getting an edge. Its just all personal preference and choice. The Belgians are good for newbies though as it's real hard to overhone on them.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Ok, I am odd man out on this one. I find that the Chinese 12K gives me a sharper edge than any of the coticules or thuringen/escher stones that I have. But... the coticule and the Thuringen/Eschers give a more comfortable shave directly off the stone.

The Chinese 12k is more difficult to lap flat and does require, for me, at least 100 laps but I like it so much that I paid full price for 2 of them. One is a backup, I never want to be without one.

Just my two cents,

Why would you be without one? Do you have a hone loaner system? I do that with coticules since I have so many of them but I wouldn't loan any hone that I regularly use.