Thread: Belgian Blue 8k

I just bought a Belgian blue 8k at last and gave my razor 6 strokes then I stroped 30 on leather only (I usually do the same amount on canvas first). I noticed the difference right away.The first shave was uncomfortable so I gave the straigt razor a rest next day and used my DE.Next day I went back to the straight after another 40 on leather and this time I had the most comfortable shave with my straight razor yet.
I still need a lot of practice before I'll get consistently close andcomfortable shaves.

Sorry you are confused
Blue if we give grit to it 4k
yellow--------------------8k or above

It's really hard to give natural stones a grit rating. As Bud say's it'll be far lower than 8, but give a much smoother finish than a similar artificial stone due to the shape of the garnet's doing the cutting.
Congratulations on seeing progress with the shave though!

As you progress you will find that honing various razors with various stones is like exploring uncharted territory. Gradually becoming familiar with the terrain and getting to know what to expect. It is an adventure to me and very interesting. Smooth shaving to you.

I got it from www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk and It's definitely a Belgian coticule in a little wooden box.It looks the same colour as my 4k belgian blue and it's smoother.Check the site it's the first ones after the yellow coticule.

I think i'm getting confused. Either it's a Belgian Blue, or a Yellow Coticule. Both vary as they're natural & it's possible that your new one is finer than the old, but if they're both blue, then it's a BBW.

Coticules are not blue. They are pale beige/yellow/grayish/greenish but never blue. The observed smoothness can be very deceiving. Can you dent the stone with your fingernail?

The person is talking about blue side of coticule not yellow side
Coticule could be a combo and single.
Natural combo one side is a yellow other is blue.
Now about your side from where you bought
you have bought belgian blue and above answer's are correct.
to get shave ready edge you have to have yellow one too.talking about a good edge
hope this helps

The site shows them as belgian blue whetstones.All these numbers confuse me as I just asumed that if it's smoother than 4k then it must be an 8k.It doesn't say what grade it is but on the box it says "Ardennes coticule" like in the pics on the website.

Originally Posted by charlie762

The site shows them as belgian blue whetstones.All these numbers confuse me as I just asumed that if it's smoother than 4k then it must be an 8k.It doesn't say what grade it is but on the box it says "Ardennes coticule" like in the pics on the website.

A photograph of your stone would help.