@@bikestrikesrazors Around 1900 there were nearly 60 coticule quarries in the Ardennes. They exported stones to every corner of the world. Today only one (!) quarry is left, in Liernieux. Nearby, in Vielsalm, you can find a Coticule Museum. It's really the only place in the world where natural stones occur that are a perfect, very fine mix of mica and microscopic garnets. But ...there's almost no coticule left in the entire region. Whatever remains of the quarry is mostly Belgian Blue Whetstone, with just tiny streaks of Coticule in between.
This here is a beautiful narrative about culture, history, tradition & geology that If indicative of your content's style it's spectacularly underrated & deserving of FAR more views. Not to pour on the adulation, but this really did have a Sagan's Cosmos-esque quality. Au revoir
Yep, I have a Serotta Csi, which is not as light as Joe's Legend. :) I don't think either of us have a certain brand of straight that's a favorite. I have a few Wade and Butcher razors that I like a lot. @@jim34morrison
I’ve just recently bought my first straight razor (a dingy, vintage one, because I like doing things the hard way) and stumbled across your videos when looking to see how to restore them. I’m new to wet shaving and sharpening anything. I’d like to ask if it’s even worth trying a coticule as a beginner or if I should just stick with synthetic water stones for now? Thanks for all of the information you’ve shared!
Hey, Otter! For restoring long unused razor in questionable condition, I'd recommend starting with a Norton 1000 synthetic. There's likely no edge left on the razor, so you'll have to "cut" a new one with a stone like the Norton. I've tried restoring edges on old razors with a coticule, but they just don't cut fast enough, and it would take forever if it was even possible. Soak the Norton 1000 in water for 15 minutes, then do 50 strokes on one side, flip the razor and do 50 strokes on the other side. I'd do this three or four times, with very gentle pressure on the razor. Then see if the razor will cut some hair off your forearm by gently "shaving" your forearm. At this point, the razor doesn't have to be shave ready, but you should see some hair being cut. If not, go back to the Norton 1000. Once the razor is cutting hair on your forearm, then you can go into a regular sharpening with a coticule or a higher grit synthetic stone. Having a magnifying loop helps a lot, as you can visually inspect the razor edge to look for small chips, cracks and to see if it's sharpening evenly. Here's another video where I went over some of these details: ua-cam.com/video/S9EiSsTfGh0/v-deo.html Thanks much! Joe
Hi Mark, Yep, people do use them to sharpen knives. If you Google "coticule" a number of shops selling them pop up. Depending on the thickness and size, they run from around $30 up past $100.
As a 100% disabled person, I request these stones as a gift from you, I would be very grateful if you send them as a gift. Please, I would appreciate it if you could give a positive answer, thank you in advance. Best Regards, Abdullah Menevse 🙏🙏🙏
This makes me proud to be Belgian.
Thanks for your video.
Thanks for watching, Jacques! It would be amazing to take a trip to one of the Belgian coticule mines and pick my own. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Around 1900 there were nearly 60 coticule quarries in the Ardennes. They exported stones to every corner of the world. Today only one (!) quarry is left, in Liernieux. Nearby, in Vielsalm, you can find a Coticule Museum. It's really the only place in the world where natural stones occur that are a perfect, very fine mix of mica and microscopic garnets. But ...there's almost no coticule left in the entire region. Whatever remains of the quarry is mostly Belgian Blue Whetstone, with just tiny streaks of Coticule in between.
@@jacquesmertens3369 Wow, that's incredible and kind of sad! I'm glad I have a few stones that will probably last me forever. :)
This here is a beautiful narrative about culture, history, tradition & geology that
If indicative of your content's style it's spectacularly underrated & deserving of FAR more views.
Not to pour on the adulation, but this really did have a Sagan's Cosmos-esque quality. Au revoir
Thanks very much for the kind words! It would be nice to get more views on the videos, but that's up to the great UA-cam "algorithm" in the sky. :)
Great Video, thank you.
Thanks for watching, Martin!
I’m not to the trikes yet, but definitely titanium road bikes and razors. Thanks for the brief history on these stones!
Thanks for watching, Jim! Joe loves his Ti Serotta!
@@bikestrikesrazors Serotta is a beautiful platform, what brand of straight razors is he partial to?
Yep, I have a Serotta Csi, which is not as light as Joe's Legend. :) I don't think either of us have a certain brand of straight that's a favorite. I have a few Wade and Butcher razors that I like a lot. @@jim34morrison
@@bikestrikesrazors I’m currently on a fleet of Habaneros. The compliance is really nice on these Illinois roads.
Those are beautiful bikes! @@jim34morrison
I’ve just recently bought my first straight razor (a dingy, vintage one, because I like doing things the hard way) and stumbled across your videos when looking to see how to restore them.
I’m new to wet shaving and sharpening anything.
I’d like to ask if it’s even worth trying a coticule as a beginner or if I should just stick with synthetic water stones for now?
Thanks for all of the information you’ve shared!
Hey, Otter! For restoring long unused razor in questionable condition, I'd recommend starting with a Norton 1000 synthetic. There's likely no edge left on the razor, so you'll have to "cut" a new one with a stone like the Norton. I've tried restoring edges on old razors with a coticule, but they just don't cut fast enough, and it would take forever if it was even possible. Soak the Norton 1000 in water for 15 minutes, then do 50 strokes on one side, flip the razor and do 50 strokes on the other side. I'd do this three or four times, with very gentle pressure on the razor. Then see if the razor will cut some hair off your forearm by gently "shaving" your forearm. At this point, the razor doesn't have to be shave ready, but you should see some hair being cut. If not, go back to the Norton 1000. Once the razor is cutting hair on your forearm, then you can go into a regular sharpening with a coticule or a higher grit synthetic stone. Having a magnifying loop helps a lot, as you can visually inspect the razor edge to look for small chips, cracks and to see if it's sharpening evenly. Here's another video where I went over some of these details:
ua-cam.com/video/S9EiSsTfGh0/v-deo.html
Thanks much!
Joe
Very interesting bit of history. I assume it can also be used for fine kitchen cutlery? Where can they be purchased?
Hi Mark,
Yep, people do use them to sharpen knives. If you Google "coticule" a number of shops selling them pop up. Depending on the thickness and size, they run from around $30 up past $100.
Thanks. I will check it out!
@@markfeldman6509 No problem. I was going to recommend the place I purchased most of my hones from, but it looks like it's no longer in business!
The heel hardly touches the stone.
I don't worry too much about the heel and toe.
it's pronounced "k-ah-t-i-kool".
Thanks very much for the information!
Lütfen ne olursunuz üstadım taşlardan hediye olarak gönderirseniz sevinirim minnettar olurum şimdiden teşekkür ederim
As a 100% disabled person, I request these stones as a gift from you, I would be very grateful if you send them as a gift. Please, I would appreciate it if you could give a positive answer, thank you in advance. Best Regards, Abdullah Menevse 🙏🙏🙏
I'm also 100% disabled, but that doesn't make me harass people and beg for non-essential items.