Thread: Coticule shortage?

Does anyone know anything about the "Coticule shortage" mentioned on Howard's "The Perfect Edge" website Home page? MikeB

Since Howard is a member of this forum, it might be best to direct the question to him. Of course, please let the rest of us know what you find out.

No, I'm enquiring here as many are in the know and It is just small inquiry. I don't like bugging him for such a simple inquiry. MikeB

There seems to be no shortage of them here . Both 6"x2" Koshers and the larger and smaller Selected grade are available.

That's good. I was just afraid the quarry closed or something. I might go for a 6x1 (narrow) for my collection. I'll check with Howard later on as I like to give him my business. Thanks MikeB

I have a couple from Howard and they are as good as they get. Also have a big kosher grade from Ardennes and it is mighty nice too.

Never worry about bugging me with a small question. None of us are born knowing everything! Anyway, the coticule shortage is due to the belgians having to go deeper and deeper to get coticule. They've acquired a lot of heavy new machinery such as cranes and bulldozers and they all eat petroleum products. This has led to an increase in price and prices will be going up significantly in January. The quarry has been mining coticule for 125 years and we may be seeing the shortages increase dramatically over the next year. This is not unprecedented! Water of Ayr, Dalmore Blue, Escher, Charnley Forest, Eidsborg, etc. are all natural stones which have run out or disappeared over time as the mines were depleted.

I received a box of coticules from Belgium yesterday and thus have a small stock of naturals in 8x3 and 6x2 and coticule only 6x2 and 8x3 stones as well. Also have some beautiful large bout in wooden boxes. This shipment took a couple of months to get to me as they were having trouble getting enough coticule out of the mine. Oh, also have some sweet little 4x2 coticules. Blue stones in stock as usual.

Hi Howard, I forgot to ask before, do you have a link for you Hone Museum?
Cheers M