First coticule, issue with split in layers

[The Mick]

So I just bought this bout and when I ran my razor down it it peeled up a big chunk. I noticed a little discoloration in that spot but didn't think anything of it as this is my first natural stone. There are two splits that runs the length of the stone. If I was to lap one out the other would be exposed. Not sure what to do other than ask for an exchange.

 

[Gamma]

You can contact the vendor for an exchange, or you can glue the chunk back with CA glue and lap it flat.
It's not totally uncommon for that to happen. It happend to one of mine, I glued the piece back and it was fine.

 

[Brooksie967]

Exchange. Period.

If you're so in love with it you can't bring yourself to part with it, ask the vendor if you can try the fix that Gamma suggested. Mention that if it fails again you'd like to complete the exchange.

 

[shakin_jake]

If you bought that stone from Jarrod (thesuperiorshave)...he'll exchange it no questions asked. I bought a coticule from an EU vendor once and the stone's surface flaked immediately. I contacted him, he said he would replace it but all I got was the runaround. Here's the stone-

you can see where it flaked in the upper left hand corner...here's a better view of the fissure-

After several attempts with the original selling dealer to get this stone exchanged (to no avail), I contacted the mine owner who sold the stone to the dealer I bought the stone from. Maurice Celis, owner/operator of Ardennes http://www.ardennes-coticule.be/en/ardennes-coticule-en.html quickly rectified the situation. In fact, Maurice sent a larger size stone of the same vein (50X150mm) an upgrade, at no cost to me

As Gamma mentioned, your stone can possibly be repaired, but if you are like me, I'd want a replacement



Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Steve56]

I've seen some coticule flaking too.

Cheers, Steve

 

[The Mick]

Emailed seller and was sent a cancellation and return payment email within minutes. When I asked about returning it he said just to keep it because it was only a $42 bout and not worth the hassle of a return. He also suggested glue or just lap it as far as I can and see how it goes. I can't glue that piece on as it broke apart when I removed it from the stone. As well I don't have a DMT to lap it and It'll take quite a bit of sand paper to get it down the two mm that the crack appears to travel. But then I won't know until I try. I'll just try and save up some money for a larger rectangle stone if I can. Money is very tight around here so I was excited to see the price size and shape of this bout when I came across it. I know there are others on their site but none of the ones available look right to me for a first stone.

 

[Brooksie967]

Cut up that broken one and use the pieces as slurry stones!!!

 

[jkh]

Get yourself some really coarse wet/dry sandpaper and lap a few millimeters off that Coticule. Lap until you no longer have the issue. I had the same happen to a stone I was not willing to return, lapping did the trick.

 

[Steve56]

If the stone is that fragile, really coarse grits may make it flake more - something you'd use to take off 2 mm like 80 grit is a traumatic experience for any stone much less a fragile one. That said, if it holds up to 80 grit on marble or glass, that's where you'd like to be; a razor will be unlikely to flake it.

if you go this route, be ABSOLUTELY sure to keep the edges well beveled with finer sandpaper while lapping. Sharp corners are extremely prone to chipping. You may have to bevel them more than once during the lapping.

Cheers, Steve

Get yourself some really coarse wet/dry sandpaper and lap a few millimeters off that Coticule. Lap until you no longer have the issue. I had the same happen to a stone I was not willing to return, lapping did the trick.

 

[Wid]

Get yourself some really coarse wet/dry sandpaper and lap a few millimeters off that Coticule. Lap until you no longer have the issue. I had the same happen to a stone I was not willing to return, lapping did the trick.

This

 

[The Mick]

Thanks everyone, I kinda feel like a dunce. I had no idea how much easier these were to lap then synthetic stones. I took it to the wed dry and got it down just under the top crack which leaves a few mm before the second crack starts that runs down to the slate. If you look at it with a loupe you can see it's got lots of hollow spaces through out the crack just like the top one did.

BEFORE


AFTER


LOUPE OF CRACK

 

[Gamma]

let the stone dry out completely.
Warm the stone gently, like with a light bulb - not hot - then fill the crack and holes with CA glue. '
I use the little crazy glue tubes, make a fresh hole in the end and sorta use it like a syringe.
Wear gloves and eye protection, and squirt the glue into the fissure and holes. Don't sweat runs, you can sand it off later after it cures.
Let it sit a good long while - maybe a day or so.

That should stabilize the fissure.

 

[The Mick]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

 

[life2short1971]

Just use it for a slurry stone. It just wasnt destined to be a hone.....

 

[The Mick]

I'm just planning on using it as a finisher and for touch ups. I have watched many video's with smaller stones like this being used for this purpose. I'm on permanent disability and a larger stone just isn't in the budget right now.

 

[Brooksie967]

Permanent disability?

I'll throw $10 into a fund to get you a bigger stone. Not sure how to go about that but I think we at B&B should be able to do something like this every now and then to help those in tough situations. If a MOD can set something up or if there is interest from other members, let's do this for Mick?

 

[The Mick]

That'a a really kind thought and I appreciate it, but it's not necessary. I do have a set of Nortons and a pile of lapping films that I do just fine with. I do want to get that coti edge though as the one I tried was the smoothest on my neck which is almost always red after anything I shave with though I've been getting pretty good results with what I have. I sold a few things so I could get this small bout and try to smooth out my edges a bit.

 

[Gamma]

If you're into it - I can send you a Coticule to work with for as long as you need it.

A Vintage Dressante Au Bleu natural combo, it's not big but it's big enough for dulicot and finishing - about 5 x 2 x 1".
I don''t have a slurry stone - but I think you got that covered.
PM me if you're interested. No strings, no fees, no liabilities - just good honin'.

 

[Brooksie967]

If you're into it - I can send you a Coticule to work with for as long as you need it.

A Vintage Dressante Au Bleu natural combo, it's not big but it's big enough for dulicot and finishing - about 5 x 2 x 1".
I don''t have a slurry stone - but I think you got that covered.
PM me if you're interested. No strings, no fees, no liabilities - just good honin'.

Great offer Gamma. You are growing on me.

 

[natchez]

If you're into it - I can send you a Coticule to work with for as long as you need it.

A Vintage Dressante Au Bleu natural combo, it's not big but it's big enough for dulicot and finishing - about 5 x 2 x 1".
I don''t have a slurry stone - but I think you got that covered.
PM me if you're interested. No strings, no fees, no liabilities - just good honin'.

Very nice gesture. I have missed being on the straight razor forum- you guys are just great!