Thread: Looking for BBW honing advice

The belgian blue whetstone is graded at a 4k level by Ardennes, the mine that harvests them. So some tug is not a surprise. You can always finish on a yellow coticule or other stone at 8k. Then move to a paste if you want.

Originally Posted by Disburden

The belgian blue whetstone is graded at a 4k level by Ardennes, the mine that harvests them. So some tug is not a surprise. You can always finish on a yellow coticule or other stone at 8k. Then move to a paste if you want.

I agree completely...I have never considered a BBW a finisher. I love it as a 4k after the 1k but I consider myself "half way there" with the BBW.

Thanks again for the advice. Although I really want the Shapton 4K, 8K and 16K, I cannot justify the expenses at this moment. I am considering buying an 8K Rozsutec at dick.biz (Rozsutec Schärfstein, Riemchen | DICTUM GmbH - Mehr als Werkzeug) for 13 euros along with the Shapton 16K, saving the 4K and 8K for later.

Do you think that would work? In theory, I would have the 1K Shapton for bevels, 4K BBW for sharpening, 8K Rozsutec for prepolish and Shapton 16K for finishing.

I've used a few as a finisher and my edges were not noticeably different from a coticule edge, but I'll leave it at that as I really do not want to get into a "BBW is/isn't a finisher" discussion on SRP. It CAN be one.

The edge trailing was, as I understood from the coticule.be BBW paper, a precaution to be sure dulling would be less of an issue, as the BBW seems to be so slow on water that it hardly distinguishes itself in behaviour from 'regular' stone - which is why they advise to finish on very light slurry on a BBW. The added tape was to overcome this lack of speed as well, as well as providing a sharper edge (same as coticule unicot).

PS: I'm not a fan of ascribing grits to naturals. The bbw/coticule - 4k/8k thing seems (to me) a bit out of place. I find it strange Ardennes-coticule is holding on to it.

I used to have a small coticule and I could not tell the difference in the edge between that and the BBW. The BBW is slower, but a lot bigger and therefore easier for me to use, especially because I can keep the entire blade on the hone and don't risk ruining it on the edge of it

Originally Posted by Pithor

I've used a few as a finisher and my edges were not noticeably different from a coticule edge, but I'll leave it at that as I really do not want to get into a "BBW is/isn't a finisher" discussion on SRP. It CAN be one.

And you CAN shave off a 1k still doesn't make it a finisher

Originally Posted by Pithor

The added tape was to overcome this lack of speed as well,

This is true

Originally Posted by Pithor

as well as providing a sharper edge (same as coticule unicot).

This is Geometrically Impossible

I followed up both your advices, pasted strop and lapping film. Tried DOVO black paste this morning and it made all the difference! Far less tug, especially on the tricky spot on the left side of my chin.
The lapping film (4K, 6K, 12K) is up next shave, I wonder how well that will do.

This is Geometrically Impossible

I would argue that. In my experience, the edge produced that way was sharper, and the increased honing speed on the edge should make said edge thinner, in theory. How would you explain the opposite?

Originally Posted by Pithor

I've used a few as a finisher and my edges were not noticeably different from a coticule edge, but I'll leave it at that as I really do not want to get into a "BBW is/isn't a finisher" discussion on SRP. It CAN be one.

The edge trailing was, as I understood from the coticule.be BBW paper, a precaution to be sure dulling would be less of an issue, as the BBW seems to be so slow on water that it hardly distinguishes itself in behaviour from 'regular' stone - which is why they advise to finish on very light slurry on a BBW. The added tape was to overcome this lack of speed as well, as well as providing a sharper edge (same as coticule unicot).

PS: I'm not a fan of ascribing grits to naturals. The bbw/coticule - 4k/8k thing seems (to me) a bit out of place. I find it strange Ardennes-coticule is holding on to it.

It is not strange, to me, that Ardennes is "holding on to it". They are in the business of selling stones and if calling them a specific grit will help to do so, they will call them that.

Reading your post I feel as if the information you sourced is meant for someone who only has a BBW. If that is the case they can try the suggested method. IME, having quite a few naturals, I gave up messing with the BBW side long ago. Just wasn't worth the effort when the yellow side is so much more effective, not to mention many, many other alternative stones that are more efficient in getting 'there'.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Reading your post I feel as if the information you sourced is meant for someone who only has a BBW. If that is the case they can try the suggested method. IME, having quite a few naturals, I gave up messing with the BBW side long ago. Just wasn't worth the effort when the yellow side is so much more effective, not to mention many, many other alternative stones that are more efficient in getting 'there'.

Your assumption is a right one, the idea behind it is allowing very cheap honing. Since I'm on a student's budget, I went for it.

BBW is one of precious few naturals I had fairly quick success on. Sharpness could compare w/ the Nani 8 (which is a nice shave), but the feel was harsh. A few strokes on yellow afterwards left a decent shaver.

While some (very few, I think), take to a coti or other natural right away, its not the majority. IMHO, the synthetic is the preferred learning tool. 'Wish it were more affordable. FWIW, a Nani 8 (or 12) finish after that BBW should tame the harshness w/ minimal investment - or the Norton 4/8.

One thing I didn't notice was what kind of razor. If you mentioned it, I didn't notice. If we're trying to hone a well worn Sheffield wedge - I could understand.

Maybe it would help to see if any members are near you? It can be *very* helpful to have the face to face time, get to compare edges from different hones, etc.

'Best of luck w/ the edge.