Thread: Coticule Advice

I need some advice concerning a coticule I recently purchased. It has a crack running down the side of the stone. I understand that a natural stone will have cosmetic flaws, but I am worried that the imperfection at this corner of the stone is a open crack and not just a cosmetic flaw. When I put water on the stone, there is movement at the line, seeming to indicate a structural problem, weakening the integrity of the stone. Is this normal with these Belgian stones and should I return it for a replacement? Will the replacement likely have the same problems? I guess with the price of these stones, I expected higher quality. Thanks for you input.

Your water observation tells you it's definitely a crack, the question is how deep it goes. Tony Miller, Randy, and Lynn all know a lot about these stones and will probably come in with good advice.

Howard aka 'belgianguy' is a coticule dealer and used to be a contributor here, but he's not on the site much these days.

When you look closely at the crack, is it a 'groove' of regular width and depth? If so, it might be just surface damage from something sharp.

You could contact Howard directly at hschecter@theperfectedge.com. He's an expert on these stones and takes pride in them. If he sold it to you, and it's determined that the coticule indeed has a structural flaw, he'll probably want to do something about it, as he does a lot of trade with SRP people. If you bought it elsewhere, he'll still be able to look at this and probably diagnose the issue, and may even have leverage with the dealer who did sell it to you.

If you bought it on ebay, i hope you got a good deal and best of luck when the stone is lapped down to the level of the crack (or whatever it is) a few years from now...

I purchased the stone from De Koordenwinkel (shaving-and-razor-shop.com) and they have said I can return it and they will replace it. I guess I am looking for a second (third, fourth etc) opinion before I pay $25 in shipping fees.

This is not an unusual problem in belgian Coticules. They are fragile stones and many will have tight fractures or dark seams in them. This is why they are bonded to slate.

Many of my vintage ones have a tight hairline in them that cannot be felt when honing so would be of no issue. Movement though would concern me simply because that piece could fracture further and separate.

It looks like yours would have no effect on honing but I would worry about it breaking free. If you cannot return the stone (that is if you wanted to return it) you could wait until it was perfectly dry and try using a superglue type adhesive that would run into this entire seam and stabilize it. not so much to glue it together but to fill the space left by the seam so it no longer flexes.

Tony (who is really glad he no longer sells new coticules <g>)

Mine has a small hairline in it as well. I don't have any problems with it whatsoever. It's really dependant on the crack and how wide it is.

I would also be concerned that it may break down further and would be inclined to return it. They aren't getting any cheaper.

Lynn

The price of coticules is usually dependent on the size shape and degree of flaws in them. To get a larger size stone free of any flaws would cost a real bundle. The key is to run your fingernail or a thin blade over the stone and you should not be able to feel anything. If you can send it back. If you can flex the stone at the crack also send it back. There is a difference between a flaw like a vein running through it and an actual crack or fissure. A vein is fixed and will never spread while a crack may.

Send it back! This crack will only get bigger, eventually the top will come off and you'll be left with a wortless bit of coticule and a piece of slate.
My coticule has minute hairlines in it but your picture shows a serious crack.

If they won't take it back, you MAY be able to extend its life by using the Hot Stuff CA. It's water-thin and it will cure without expanding, so it's an excellent choice to seal that crack.