Thread: "Shave Ready" ... Yeah, Right.

I apologize if it has been said already (I didn't read through every post here), but to make matters more difficult, your first few shaves - even with a keen razor - may be disappointing if you have high expectations. Keep in mind your technique will not be great, so don't expect a great shave. You have to practice and keep working at it. Then the shaves will improve. Have fun

Jordan

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Don't you dare give up. I have learned one hell of a lot from reading your posts and I want to continue to do so.

Had to work a double shift yesterday and slept less that 4 hours, before more work today. I tend to be dramatic, when I'm overly tired. Should have gone to bed several hours ago. Damn' SRP

Thanks Jimmy,

Bart.

When I look back to when I started the first straight razor forum, there was virtually no straight razor information available. I am grateful that we have so much information and even more grateful to the fantastic membership who are ever willing to help people out in every aspect of the sport.

The more you know about straight razors and honing and restoration and shaving, the more you want to know.......tis a good ting!!



Lynn

Originally Posted by Cornelius

So which color coticule are you talking about? Blue or yellow? Which stomes do I need before using a coticule?

Blues and Yellows are both Belgian Naturals but only the yellow is called a coticule. The blues are called belgian blue (I know...how creative) or BBW.

A traditional range of stones would be 1 or 2 K to set a bevel, 4K and 8K and then coticule (if that is going to be your finisher). This is complicated by the fact that, as Bart pointed out, the coticule has a pretty wide range of cutting ability. It could substitute for an 8K with a really heavy slurry or be quite a bit less aggressive used dry or with plain water. I think Lynn puts the coticule at a level equivalent to about a 12K with a light slurry. If you start fooling around with the different, more esoteric finishing stones like eschers, higher grit shaptons, japanese naturals etc. the discussion becomes way more complicated and the cost of admission goes through the roof.

Originally Posted by Lynn

When I look back to when I started the first straight razor forum, there was virtually no straight razor information available. I am grateful that we have so much information and even more grateful to the fantastic membership who are ever willing to help people out in every aspect of the sport.

The more you know about straight razors and honing and restoration and shaving, the more you want to know.......tis a good ting!!



Lynn

Well this is a fine mess you've gotten us into........

Thanks for leading the charge, Big Guy!

Originally Posted by Bill S

Blues and Yellows are both Belgian Naturals but only the yellow is called a coticule.

Ok, so when Bart says coticule he means the yellow Belgian stone.

Originally Posted by Bill S

A traditional range of stones would be 1 or 2 K to set a bevel, 4K and 8K and then coticule (if that is going to be your finisher). This is complicated by the fact that, as Bart pointed out, the coticule has a pretty wide range of cutting ability. It could substitute for an 8K with a really heavy slurry or be quite a bit less aggressive used dry or with plain water. I think Lynn puts the coticule at a level equivalent to about a 12K with a light slurry. If you start fooling around with the different, more esoteric finishing stones like eschers, higher grit shaptons, japanese naturals etc. the discussion becomes way more complicated and the cost of admission goes through the roof.

Ok! Thqnks! I think I got it now: DMT 1,200 like David in the video, then Norton 4/8, then coticule, first with slurry, then with water (then dry?). Thanks!!!

And in early January I'll get a linen / leather strop from Tony and "strop" the razor by sliding it over the leather in the opposite direction

Originally Posted by Bart

80% of my presence on this forum is because I like to help people out with honing and shaving.
This makes me want to give up.

I am sorry.

Bart.

Hi Bart, just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all the help and advice you've written on this forum.

"waar gehakt worden vallen spaanders" (for non-dutch speaking members its kind of: If you wanna make an omelet, you gotta break some eggs)

You cant win them all.. but I sure hope you dont give up!!

Maarten

To get back on topic: Cornelius - have you tried shaving with the SRP bought razor yet?

Mark

Originally Posted by Cornelius

Ok! Thqnks! I think I got it now: DMT 1,200 like David in the video, then Norton 4/8, then coticule, first with slurry, then with water (then dry?).

Yes. Although a lot of us, myself included, are using the Shapton glass stones for the 4K and 8K then moving to the finishing stone(s).

Just to complicate matters further, you could assemble your initial set of stones using all synthetics, say, Shaptons from 1K to 30K. Or, you could go all natural and achieve about the same results.

Fun stuff

To pipe in on what Bill said I am really finding I like the way the shave feels more with the edge from the natural stones more then the synthetic. Depends on the razor though so you may as well get them all.

Cornelius, you are obviously doing your homework and attacking this with enthusiasm. My guess is you will get it down sooner then later and be getting HHT with your razors and BBS with your shaves.