Thread: Hi woodworker from NC with a pretty purple stone

Looking at your pictures that looks definitely like a very nice Blue Belgian Whetstone (Lorraine is a type of BBW)

It will leave a very sharp nice edge, for sure

Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

Looking at your pictures that looks definitely like a very nice Blue Belgian Whetstone (Lorraine is a type of BBW)

It will leave a very sharp nice edge, for sure

Thanks for the reply, I'm still confused though. I thought Lorraine's were French.

Hi Cara, 'Haven't gone all the way through all the posts, but you mentioned looking to use the naturals on your wood chisels. They can do a nice job, but be aware the chisels can also make wear patters in the surface that will make them unuseable for razors.
'Nice to have you here & hope you enjoy.

Originally Posted by Carabnr

Thanks for the reply, I'm still confused though. I thought Lorraine's were French.

I believe Euclid previously provided a link to the Henk Bos page. About 2/3 down the page you will find a section titled "Rouge du Salm/Lorraine" which describes the confusion concerning the Lorraine moniker. Link is here.>>> https://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info%202...whetstones.pdf

I have a small collection of "modern" and "vintage" BBWs and from the pictures I see, the stone looks almost identical to a couple of BBWs that I have (I use mine a lot, ergo why I'd say it's a BBW from the looks of it), all of them are from a natural combo Coticule / BBW and one is a BBW bought in recent years from Ardennes Coticule. The slurry looks consistent, the pink dot looks consistent and the pattern as well.

I'm just saying, to my guess that's a BBW if I ever saw one; I think it's a Belgian stone for sure. Not making the nuance into Salmon Rouge, Rouge de Salme or La Lorraine, but a BBW certainly.
BBW is a funny term, none of my BBW are actually really blue, most are a dark shade of purple and the slurry too; but that might all be in the eye of the beholder

Originally Posted by Wirm

I believe Euclid previously provided a link to the Henk Bos page. About 2/3 down the page you will find a section titled "Rouge du Salm/Lorraine" which describes the confusion concerning the Lorraine moniker. Link is here.>>> https://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info%202...whetstones.pdf

Thanks Wirm, I read through all his stuff. It's really awesome what he and his wife did. Still a bit confusing, but the ID doesn't really matter, just wondering how to use it now. It did well with water, but thinking of using oil, as I'm using arks as well. I guess it'll be ok either way right?

Originally Posted by Carabnr

Thanks Wirm, I read through all his stuff. It's really awesome what he and his wife did. Still a bit confusing, but the ID doesn't really matter, just wondering how to use it now. It did well with water, but thinking of using oil, as I'm using arks as well. I guess it'll be ok either way right?

I even use them dry, they leave a sharp edge dry ime
Also on my razors I use them dry from time to time, then go to the Yellow Coticule, which smooths it out a bit
Bit it reaches maximum keenness / sharpness on the BBW