my first coticule

I just got a set of the "4k" and "8K" belgians from best sharpening stones. They look great and I'm really excited to start using them. I'm sure there are threads out there that answer this question, but I'm at work and don't have time right now to search.

1. Do I need to lap these stones before I use them?

2. Is the Blue stone any use to me with a razor. Setting a bevel maybe on something that is just no good. I honestly don't plan on using this stone much yet.

3. What shoudl I use to take the sharper corners off of the stone? Can I use the 4k or the slate backing of another one?

Thanks for any advice in advacne.

Dustin

Congrats on getting some great stones!

Do lap your stones before you start using them, once lapped they will stay flat for a long time.

The blue is a good companion to the yellow, I'm able to get my razors sharper with the blue with slurry, than I can with the yellow with slurry, if you finish of with the yellow with water you should be able to get a good shaving edge.

It's important to round of the edges of the stones, as a sharp shoulder on the stone easely could ruin your edge, round them off when you lap the stones, either with sandpaper or diamond hone.

thanks for that support. I got to use a coticule already which is why I chose to go with that, I really liked the edge that i was able to get with just water and no slurry just to refinish one that had already been honed for me. I even got a totally dull razor to give a good shave off of them. I have not used mine yet at all. so you think that I could use sand paper? if so what grit and where do I get it from? I was hoping to not have to buy another stone, but I guess I could get a norton lapping stone or can I use sand paper and glass.

I used sandpaper, the wet/dry kind, for about a year before buying a diamond plate, as I found lapping my Norton with the wet/dry too messy, the Norton required lapping often, the belgians won't requier lapping that often and you should be able to lapp them with a good quality wet/dry, 3M for instance IIRC.

From what I've read, the Norton flatttening stone is for use with the Norton only, and is not suited for lapping harder stones as it might destroy the flattening stone, a lot of members use the DMT 8C as their lapping stone, but for the occasional lapping of the belgians a good quality wet/dry and either a flat granite tile or a glass plate should be sufficient.

Enjoy the Belgians. Lots of info on them and on how to lap, hone and what have you here in the SRP Wiki. :tu

I just finished honing 3 razors on a Blue and Yellow..

I love that smell...

Theres a great article on the wiki about honing a razor on a blue belelgian and Coticule.. (and a DMT E for setting the bevel)

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...e_and_Coticule

I have a DMT-D6C for lapping the hones... works great is not that expensive..

Maarten
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I know I probably didn't need the blue and the yellow especially with my limited experience, but I thought I should start on my HAD and work a little harder on my RAD as well. Looks like I might have to get that DMT plate. Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy I went with the coticule instead of the Norton combo.

Gimme a call & stop over, we can lap them flat.
I have some diamond hones.

Thanks, I will do that. I'm out of town from Saturday to Wednesday and then again from the 8th to the 11th, but I may try to squeeze it in before that second trip. That way I can sit in hotel rooms all week honing my honing skills.