Thanks for the comments, I will indeed put these stones to good use. I still need more practice with it, but it really has replaced a complete progression of hones.

Bart, thanks for the info about the "Le Petit Blanche" layer. Both the stones have that blue line running around the yellow layer, but they are both VERY different. The coticule on the slurry seems to cut much faster (since it's so huge, I actually tried honing on it, and it is big enough to do so if you're careful ) and it creates a slurry very quickly when rubbed on the other stone. So it makes quite an effective slurry stone.

Gary, this is a great stone. I love it!

I still have my Nakayama to finish on, but the razor I shaved with last night (honed entirely using the coti/BBW) shaved JUST fine finishing on just the coticule (no pastes either btw). The Nakayama does leave a nice edge, but the coticule-finished edge really does leave nothing to be desired IMO. I'm starting to realize the potential of using the coticule for all of your honing. Well, I used the BBW too, but I think it would be a shame not to considering I have these lovely combo stones!

So anyone can easily get by with just one coticule to hone and maintain very comfortable shaving edges. I'm not against using synthetics by any means, but there is definitely more than one path to a sharp and comfortable razor.