Thread: Chinese 12K after coticule

Any experiences? Would you recommend this?

I don't have any experience with the chinese 12k...but I don't know if it would be any improvement off of the coticule. From what I've read, the chinese stone is VERY slow, so I don't know if you'd just be wasting your time after the coticule. Although most coticules are rated at about 8000, when used with just water they perform like a higher grit stone, so probably quite comparable to the chinese 12k.

Do you currently have a coticule and are considering getting a chinese 12k stone?

I know JoeD has both a coticule and a 12k, and I seem to remember him saying that he was able to get better edges off the 12k. Since I don't really remember, I sent JoeD a pm with a link to this thread. Hopefully he will enlighten us... or at least share his results ;-p

They are all natural stones, will the Chinese 12k put a better edge than the yellow coticule? It depends on the stones. In my case yes, I feel the edge off of my Chinese 12k suits my face better than the coticules that I own.

I think the Chinese stone is maligned for lack of feed back and being a slow cutter. I like the speed and feel of a freshly lapped Chinese 12k. I lap it every time I use it.

Charlie

the chineese 12k hone puts on an amazingly smooth scratch pattern from some of what ive read and seen on tim zowadas site its hard to say what hone will give you the beter shaving edge since the naturals vary in consistancy some are better than others and how your razor likes the hone has a lot to do with it too, some razors are finicky

I disagree that the Chinese 12k is less than 12k grit, it's most definitely finer than the Japanese 12k waterstone that I've used, so if anything it's more, not less, than 12k.

Originally Posted by cotdt

I disagree that the Chinese 12k is less than 12k grit, it's most definitely finer than the Japanese 12k waterstone that I've used, so if anything it's more, not less, than 12k.

I'm assuming you are referring to Old_School's post. Keep in mind, he noted that, as with all natural stones, the grit will vary. While 12K may be an average or approximate value, some may be higher or lower.

Knowing that many members have lower values, combined with information about where they got those particular stones may reveal trends about certain stocks/shipments, so I'd say that is just a helpful piece of information rather than a denial that there are high "12K Chinese" stones out there.

The real question is if it gives you an edge that you prefer. I tried a C12K after a coticule and it required ~100 laps to make a noticeable change in the feel of the edge using the TPT.
Please note that after the first 25 laps you will think that the edge is not as sharp as it was before. Just continue honing and checking every 25 laps. Stop when you notice a change.

They are both natural stones, as most have pointed out. Sure, the chinese varies - so do coticules, so a soft easy slurry-maker coticule is not going to be "...comparable to ..." to a decent chinese stone as regards grit-rating (whatever that's worth).

I have a couple of coticules and I have had nearly a dozen chinese stones which I have lapped and made rubbing stones for for other people. I have used all these chinese stones, and they haven't varied much in my experience. I haven't found them to be particularly slow - with a good slurry 50 round laps gives me something I can see and feel a difference in, and I use 50 - 100 round laps for most finishing stones, so it's no big deal for me to do the same with the chinese stone.

Note that I say in my experience - other people who have experience of both stones may have formed a different opinion, those who only conjecture - conjecture. I'm not a great fan of conjecture or opinions about the effectiveness of something never experienced!

To sum it up, I haven't noticed an adverse effect at all. All the chinese stones I have had experience of polish more than the two coticules I have had experience of - ie: they refine the edge a bit more - for me. My chinese stones haven't been that significantly slower than any other polishing stone.

Whether you prefer the edge of one over the other stone, or the effect produced by the two is a matter of personal choice - something you have to experience for yourself.

Regards,
Neil

Thanks all. Being a newbie, I am still experimenting a lot with my results. At the moment I have an edge I'm not sure what to feel about, after a few shaves and knowing my edge, I'll try the chinese and see if it makes shaving better.

Should I use it with slurry? If so, how consistent?