garyhaywood said:
As a matter of fact, I have noticed something like that too.
While honing razors, I usually find myself sitting at the kitchen table with a Coticule, a small bowl of honing water and, of course, a razor. I use the bowl of water to sprinkle water onto the hone, but when it's time to completely rinse the blade and hone, I always get up to the sink and rinse everything under the tap. Next I start honing on water, and I always notice a slight but clear difference between honing on completely washed down slurry and honing on fresh water. But, even when I refresh the water for the second time, there really is a noteworthy difference. After, well eh, let's call it the "first rinse", there's always some suction noticeable, that's not there after the "second rinse". I have noticed this on all hones. I *think* that when the surface of the hone was forced to release slurry, it first needs some breaking in before it reaches the glass-like feel of a Coticule that's only used with water.
I haven't set up an actual experiment yet, but I do have the impression that the surface after the "first rinse" is a bit more effective at refining, while the "second rinse" surface it better of polishing.
It certainly deserves further observation and trial. I think the "first rinse" surface might be excellent to perform touch-ups (followed by some polishing on the "second rinse" surface).
I wonder if we're the only two that ever made that observation?
Maurice Celis did contact me some time ago to ask if I ever noticed much difference between a freshly rubbed Coticule and one that's been used with only water for a long time.
Now my Coticules all get "rubbed"

on a fairly regular base, so I couldn't really offer him a clear answer. Maybe later.
Best regards,
Bart.