Thread: First coticule experience

First impression: I cut the heck out of myself! One two swick swack before I even knew it! Could be that I woke up tired and impatient more than usual this morning. Anyway, my chin is going to eventually grow callouses because it's taking the brunt of my noobness.

The shave was good, close. I don't know that it's better than my 'softer' atagoyama. Marginally better than my super duper hard nakayama. But again, noobness is the thing here I think. I think my last 12 shaves have gotten better because my stropping has improved.

I have next week off. I plan on doing some hone testing. If I slather my face with rogaine or something, can I get my beard to grow in three times a day?

Coticules can feel gritty. As long as there are no 'clicks' (which would hint at harmful inclusions, quite rare), it should be fine.
It is also possible that the slurry is a bit on the thick side, but as you have noticed no significant problems in getting the razor to shave I think you just have a gritty stone.

After a year w my Coti I have found that if I "dress" the stone w a piece of tool steel first the edges come out a little better. I have some razors that really like that stone and others not so much. I can't even get to hht on a case bros xx with it.

Originally Posted by irishguy

After a year w my Coti I have found that if I "dress" the stone w a piece of tool steel first the edges come out a little better. I have some razors that really like that stone and others not so much. I can't even get to hht on a case bros xx with it.

I wonder if there is a market for desktop DIY homejob electron microscopes for guys like us.

I know I'm going to throw a wrench in here by saying this but its the truth.


Not all coticules are finishing stones.

Some leave a 6k edge most leave an 8k edge. Ive had ones that left a horribly rough edge . Coticules are not magical stones and they vary just like any other natural stone.

Use a hone that is 8000 grit and then try your coticule. Light slurry or water does not matter just use it. Check the edge again and see if it improves or degrades the edge.

A rough feeling stone is usually a rough stone. If its not a finishing stone then use it in a sharpening progression and learn it.

I started with a new coticule recently (I'm a newbie to coticules in general, so no expertise here), and it did feel a bit gritty under the blade - I also got a very poor result from it, but that was down to my lack of understanding/technique.

I then tried lapping it with a finer grade and went with 800 grit w&d, and it definitely felt a bit smoother under the blade - and with a bit more honing on it, it's starting to feel smoother again and is getting a bit more gloss on it.