The Norton is a synthetic hone.

The Belgian (yellow) coticule is a natural hone.

The coticule will do everything the Norton will do and has the advantage that it polishes the edge a little better than the Norton.

You need to purchase a rubbing stone with the coticule so that you can create a slurry.

The coticule with slurry is equivalent to the 4K side of a Norton combination stone the coticule with just water on the surface is equivalent to the 8K side of the Norton.

I think if we did a pole, the more experienced users on this forum would vote for the coticule.

This said, size for size, the Norton is cheaper, but size as they say isn't everything.

You can buy coticules direct from the source.

Ardennes Coticule - natural sharpening stones from Vielsalm Belgium. - Home