I currently have a 1 1/4" x 6" coticule, and I like it very much. But, with the narrower stones, as it was mentioned above, are a little harder to keep the razor flat on while honing. I say if you can keep a razor flat on a narrower hone (i.e. 1"-2") go for that, but if you have difficulty with keeping it flat go for the wider.

I think the reason more experienced honers, i.e. Lynn, prefer the 3" wide ones is because they have advance techniques that they can use to account for warped blades even on a wide stone.

I recently ordered a 8"x2" from Howard. That seems to be the nice compromise for me between a wide and narrow hone.

Dave