Thread: Coticule

Here is an extreme example of those veins. The hone in the middle back section of this photo has multiple veins. They have no impact on honing and the stone is not in peril of falling apart. Like wrinkles, these veins aren't flaws, they're character lines!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Here is an extreme example of those veins. The hone in the middle back section of this photo has multiple veins. They have no impact on honing and the stone is not in peril of falling apart. Like wrinkles, these veins aren't flaws, they're character lines!

I resemble that remark. That is one pretty picture Ron.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Here is an extreme example of those veins. The hone in the middle back section of this photo has multiple veins. They have no impact on honing and the stone is not in peril of falling apart. Like wrinkles, these veins aren't flaws, they're character lines!

Talk about under cover HAD! I had no idea you were stealing all my hones!

Ron, that hone above the "cracked" one, please tell me that's slurry that you let dry and not an awesome pattern like it seems.

Also, how big is the one on the far right? looks huge.

The label on the box with the one I bought said "Pike's Extra Choice grade Belgian razor hone". See pics below.

no wonder I haven't been able to steal one yet, you already stole them all.

that is a great collection, thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by JCitron

Ron, that hone above the "cracked" one, please tell me that's slurry that you let dry and not an awesome pattern like it seems.

Also, how big is the one on the far right? looks huge.

Yes, it's slurry that I let dry. I don't waste soap and I don't waste slurry! The hone is severely dished. Instead of lapping it, I use it as a rubbing stone with the intention of eventually lapping it that way in a non-wasteful manner. If you look closely you will see that the last ~1/2" on each end is flat. Those ends are the current rubbing surface.

The bigger one is about 9.5"x3" and I bought it from Rob at Ardennes. Because it was "flawed" with a potential crack, I got a great deal on it. I wanted a large monster coticule and this two sided natural fills the need. Aside from it's size, I like it because it has a nice wood-grain pattern to it.

All of my coticules are two sided, and most are naturals--even the extra ones that aren't pictured because they don't fit in Coticule Case #1!

Yeah, I see the flat sections now. Good idea to lap it "naturally", not like you're going to miss having that one extra hone in your rotation.

I didn't notice the wood grain pattern in the larger one until you mentioned it. Very nice.

Hi Ron, 9.5x3 thats pretty big
How much would one cost? If I may be so crude to mention cash?

Originally Posted by JCitron

Ron, that hone above the "cracked" one,

I do realize you weren't saying that the stone is cracked but I'll give some explanation anyway because there are a lot of misunderstandings about the exterior look of a Coticule stone!

These are black manganese lines which were formed together with the Coticule 480 000 000 years ago.

So to be extra clear about this (because there are a lot of misunderstandings about our grading system): these lines AREN'T cracks filled with the black stuff, the black stuff was formed TOGETHER with the Coticule. There's nothing cracked! It's one smooth surface together with the Coticule.
During the geological formation there were small periods with high MnO concentrations. Even better: this MnO is much softer than the Coticule so it disappears with your slurry AND it has +- the same characteristics as the Coticule. That's why it doesn't influence honing at all!!

And that's why a Standard Coticule is even good as a Selected Coticule for honing whatever you want to hone!
So for those that want a Coticule but don't have the budget to buy a big fat expensive Coticule Selected hone, look at our Standard Coticule stones. Much cheaper and even good! They come from the same Coticule veins!

Same with our Coticule Bout stones. irregular shaped stones are cheaper then their rectangular counterparts but that's all that differs! Same Coticule veins = same quality of Coticule!
All you have to do is to pick out one that has +- the ideal dimensions for honing!
Ask you Coticule vendor and he will tell which ones he has on stock.

Coticule Standard stones are distributed in the US & Canada by: Fendrihan, Traditional Shaving Supplies


Also Utopian: very nice collection