Thread: Bevel with a blue Belgian?

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I have no doubt that it can be done, my question would be why take that much time and effort. But then again we may learn something new.

So, I think there's something really important to note here. When talking about setting a bevel on a BBW or coticule, no one is talking about doing any major work. Essentially, if you have a razor with a rounded bevel or just barely visible edge damage, that'll not take too long on either.

Basically, my rule of thumb is if it takes more than 5 minutes to set the bevel (or if I think it will), start on something else (low grit synthetic). From the bevel setting, it literally takes me less than 10 minutes on one that I know really well. No more than 15 minutes. But, I'm doing hundreds of laps in that time. So, for a new guy, I honestly cannot guess how long it might take. It could be 45 minutes or more. I really just don't know.

Basically, my point is the amount of time is relative to the skill/speed of the honer and the work to be done.

Here is Bart's new report on a year experiment involving a total honing on a BBW:

BBW - a study about it's aptness for razor sharpening - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone

It is ten pages long so make a cup of coffee or pour a beer, first!

Originally Posted by Disburden

Here is Bart's new report on a year experiment involving a total honing on a BBW:

BBW - a study about it's aptness for razor sharpening - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone

It is ten pages long so make a cup of coffee or pour a beer, first!

No offense to Bart, anyone involved in the BBW "experiment" or to Bart's website, but there is so much written about people's experiences with BBW's all over SRP. I actually think BBW's are already one of the better documented hones out there.

I'm not a long post reader in general, so the idea of a 10 page writeup really turns me off. Then again, I already know what I think of BBW's - (generally) lower "grit" than (most) cotis but not quite as fast (as most cotis), leaves an edge like an 8kish hone but a bit smoother, fits in rather well with slurry after a 1k using a dilution method similar to any other natural stone, play with your specific BBW to learn more.

I found it very interesting and would recommend reading it, it's more of a report than a post in a forum, you download it in PDF file.

I haven't tried any of this yet since I just finished reading, but I own a 8X3 bbw stone so I will definitely try this on an old razor of mine.

In the experiments which included several people around the world, two Belgian Blue stones were used and a coticule and the edges were compared, the results ended up being the same for all three stones.

Those are extremely small samples sizes for an "experiment," especially given the known variations among any natural hones, not to mention the people who hone and the people who shave.

Again, I don't have anything against the report, I'm just saying that I don't really see how it would contain anything amazing and new or any more informative for the average user than, say, reading the general thoughts I posted above and then playing with their own hones.

Not only is the sample size small, but they are using a razor that was deemed "inferior" on this site. Additionally, it cites the hanging hair test which is not really a test of sharpness.

On top of it all, they are selling the BBW. It is extremely hard to be impartial when you have a vested interest in the product you are reviewing, no matter how hard the parties involved try.

I cant speak from experience with the hones, but I can speak from the marketing standpoint and the validity of the study. If this was an independent third party study, it would hold alot more weight.

What this report will do, is produce a cool term, like, "Blueucot" and increase BBW Sales.

Gentlemen: Please keep the discussion civilized. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and both sides of the discussion are welcome....

Agreed. I don't want any of it to get out of hand, which I hope was clear.

However, I wouldn't go as far as calling me a gentleman, but I will take the compliments when I can get them!

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

I see, kinda like an one stone honing? start to finish, i imagine that repairing chips wouldn't work well?

thanks

As there are slow & fast Cotis there are slow & fast BBW's.
I have honed & set a bevel on a Rodgers wedge with small chips on a BBW in a reasonable time. Don't ask how long it was some time ago but I used a thick slurry. It was previously shave ready so not talking eBay edge rebuilds.
Just saying it can be done with the right stone within reasonable limits.