Thread: ONE COTICULE HONING

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I think Bart would agree that if it is discussed it should be discussed as Cromwell wanted his portrait i.e. , "paint me as I am, warts and all". Just as positive testimonials are appreciated an alternative view should be presented if there is one IMO.

I only meant that he probably doesn't want this thread taking a detour to "which hone is the best for setting the bevel" land, which would be deserving of it's own thread if we decided to go there, IMO.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Another interesting point to me is the dulling of the edge on the glass. I remember when Bart presented this. It was a way of being sure that you were starting from scratch so to speak and that you weren't getting false positives in the TPT or HHT. In watching Harellson Stanely hone in the DVD "Honing The Perfect Edge" he goes beyond dulling on the glass. Rather he very gently and with finesse breadknifes the edge on the hone before he begins using his "side honing method".

When he gets to the 16K glass stone level he does it again ! Then he works with the 16k before moving on to the 30k. I was intrigued when Harellson did this before the honing began but I couldn't believe it when he did this at the 16k level. I spoke to him about it on the phone and he told me that if you were to look at the edge under 200x even past the 8k level you would see some micro chipping that needed to be cleaned up. Mind blowing to me and glad I only have 30x.

Wow, that is an interesting concept! I would horrified if I saw someone do that, lol. The theory sort of makes sense, though, I guess.

I actually haven't tried dulling a razor on the side of a hone, but I can say that with the glass, for whatever reason, it dulls it FAST. I'm talking if you take a shave ready edge and do one stroke with just the weight of the blade, you'd be lucky if it still shaves arm hair. Two or three strokes and there's no way you're shaving anything. The edge of the hone must work a little slower, or his touch is very very light, because at that stage, at least with glass, the slightest amount of pressure would ruin all the work you've done.

Originally Posted by pjrage

I only meant that he probably doesn't want this thread taking a detour to "which hone is the best for setting the bevel" land, which would be deserving of it's own thread if we decided to go there, IMO.

Wow, that is an interesting concept! I would horrified if I saw someone do that, lol. The theory sort of makes sense, though, I guess.

I actually haven't tried dulling a razor on the side of a hone, but I can say that with the glass, for whatever reason, it dulls it FAST. I'm talking if you take a shave ready edge and do one stroke with just the weight of the blade, you'd be lucky if it still shaves arm hair. Two or three strokes and there's no way you're shaving anything. The edge of the hone must work a little slower, or his touch is very very light, because at that stage, at least with glass, the slightest amount of pressure would ruin all the work you've done.

I was aghast when I saw him do it at the 16k level. That is one reason I telephoned him. For those who don't know Harrelson is the USA distributor of Shapton and a noted honemiester of Japanese tools particularly plane irons. I would also note that he had only honed a few razors when he made the video for what that is worth. He was applying his "side honing" method to straights. I have tried it and in some circumstances it might be preferred but I find I like the x stroke better.

As for dulling the razor, I have never done it on glass. I have applied Harrelson's light with finesse breadknife technique on a razor if under magnification it had visible micro chips but other than that I will take my chances with the edge as I find it. Not trying to hijack the thread it seems that one thing leads to another.

I have that dvd on side honing and the jointing method he says hes sculpting the blade. Like you jimmy i much prefer the x stroke.I personaly did'nt learn any thing from the technique

Originally Posted by gary haywood

I have that dvd on side honing and the jointing method he says hes sculpting the blade. Like you jimmy i much prefer the x stroke.I personaly did'nt learn any thing from the technique

Gary, I don't want to divert Bart's thread anymore than I already have so see this new thread here.

Ok, this thread is now back open for discussion.
However, given the heated debate that sparked from it, please keep the following things in mind:

- The purpose of this thread was not about comparing the coticule with other hones. It was just to explain coticule honing, using only 1 coticule.
- As with all discussions here, you can disagree as much as you like. Nothing works for everybody. But be respectful and don't insult other members. Discussions are not about winning or losing but about exchanging ideas.

Following these simple rules, it should be possible to keep on discussing this topic without any problems. We will be monitoring this thread to make sure that it does not derail again.

Now that you've brought the thread back ... can you bring Bart back, too? We need him!

well I'm glad this is back

I was on page two when it went away !

I've learned a lot in this thread and it is nice to see one locked without a single post by me !!

now if you'll excuse me. I have some reading to do

Originally Posted by Chimensch

Thanks for a very interesting post. IMO a razor can be too sharp for a comfortable shave. What I think is happening is that the honemeisters (I'm not one, I just hone my own razors) are honing "defensively". What I mean by that is they are usually honing razors for newbies who also have other issues with preparation and technique. The honemeister has to provide the very sharpest possible razor to rule out the razor itself as the cause of any problems. I shaved for a long time off of a barbers hone and now a coticule. I think the fact that I've developed good prep and technique (angles, light touch) means that I don't need the razor to be quite as sharp.

good point
I try to make any razors going to newbs WICKED SHARP.

I've been shaving for the last week with Wapi s fresh off .5 diamond and it is tearing my face up somethin fierce

it seems not even 100 linen and 100 leather will tame that half micron beast
I'm sure 10 shaves later it will smooth out, but good gawd.

I can't, however, shave off a barbers hone.
NO NO NO NO NO
I nearly killed my first razor trying to shave off a hone.
Pasted paddles made the difference for me.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

I've been shaving for the last week with Wapi s fresh off .5 diamond and it is tearing my face up somethin fierce

The same thing happened to me. Must be something peculiar about the Wapi. Maybe it's the steel.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

The same thing happened to me. Must be something peculiar about the Wapi. Maybe it's the steel.

Hmm.... Same here. Shaved with a wapi & diamond paste last night and it was a tad rough.