Shape/size bout for a hone-novice

**QuarkVI** · 02-08-2011, 05:18 PM

Hi,

I am in the process of deciding on what to get for my first Coticule. After digesting large quantities
of information I am still a bit stuck on a couple of things that I was hoping to get some help with.

I am looking to spend less than about $80 and am, as a result, seriously considering using a BBW instead as my
first hone. I already have everything needed to set a bevel, thanks to my woodworking. Hence a coticule
appears to be the cheapest option for getting into honing. There is also the appeal of it being a natural stone.

What I have no feel for is what minimum dimensions I should be considering. I realise one could hone on just about
any size/shape coticule but there is surely some point at which it would be counter productive for a beginner.

Have spent many hours on thesuperiorshave but don't know what I should be looking for i.t.o. of the best shape/size to start on. Have even mocked up pieces of card for a butter knife

So what advice would you give a beginner:
Should I just stick with a bigger BBW (150x40mm) for now as the cheaper/easier option to learn on ?
Possibly go for the monster BBW at 200x60mm ?
Or what is the minimum usable rectangle on a bout you would recommend for a novice ?

thanks
__________________________
Robin

**kg4ghn** · 02-08-2011, 05:39 PM

Bart of coticule.be says the smallest size he suggests for a beginner is 120mm X 30mm. Anything bigger than that just makes it easier, to a point. It doesn't have to be rectangular but you want at least one good long side to make an easier stroke on. If you happen to get a more square bout people use circles instead of x-strokes to good effect.

**Pkrankow** · 02-08-2011, 05:41 PM

Just fire an email off to Jarrod. He is very helpful. I just bought a bout from him, and I am impatiently patiently waiting for delivery. It shipped today.

He was able to give me a few options + prep stone to select from within my budget ($100).

Phil

**JeffM** · 02-08-2011, 05:54 PM

+1 You can say "I bought it at Jarrod's"

**danjared** · 02-08-2011, 06:09 PM

Whatever you do, don't forget to get a slurry stone! Also, I think Jarrod is out of BBW at the moment, so you would have to order elsewhere if you got that. If you order from Ardennes (the people that mine the stones), they typically will include a slurry stone for free if you ask nicely. Since you are in New Zealand, this is something to seriously consider (considering that Ardennes will certainly have BBW and coticules in many sizes). If you email Ardennes saying that you want a hone for razors and your budget, they will more likely than not do their best to help you, even if they are very busy.

**Pkrankow** · 02-08-2011, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by JeffM

+1 You can say "I bought it at Jarrod's"

I don't think that will get me out of the doghouse...

Phil

**kg4ghn** · 02-08-2011, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Pkrankow

I don't think that will get me out of the doghouse...

Phil

It will until you show her the rock, then you better get ready for a LONG stay out there!

**Brownbear** · 02-08-2011, 07:16 PM

My suggestion is that whatever you buy, don't go over 40mm for width. The wider hones are harder to use, and with warped blades (most of them) are hard to use without chipping the edge. Of my hones 40 x 150 is great, lengths up to 200 would be a bit better but the payback drops off rapidly over 175mm long.

**Pkrankow** · 02-08-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by kg4ghn

It will until you show her the rock, then you better get ready for a LONG stay out there!

I am going to tuck my rocks in with my other hones and feign ignorance. Anyways I bought them with my "allowance" for the month and don't have to justify them (ha, right). I just need to not buy hobby stuff for a couple months.

Phil

**Munxcub** · 02-09-2011, 07:11 AM

+1 to just talking to Jarrod about what you're looking for and budget. I've purchased 3 from him so far (1 in transit). The first 2 I bought together, 1 that I thought I wanted (regular rectangle, 40x175) and 1 he suggested as my little mellow finisher.

I LOVE the little bout he recommended and picked for me as my main stone. It fits in my palm, is more of a diamond/square/parallelogram than a rectangle, but it feels good. I have another odd bout roughly the size of a dollar bill on the way.

The nice thing about cotis, if you get one and you don't like the shape/feel, you can easily unload it in BST and get a different one.