Thread: Coticule hones

I don't use a BBW when I've got a coticule, or a few, at my disposal.

Furthermore, all coticules are NOT created equal! You may go through a few before finding one to suit your fancy ..

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

I'm not sure if you have synthetic or not but IME a Norton 4/8 and possibly a Naniwa 12k is a more reliable way to get where you want to go without "experimenting" with naturals (cheaper too in the end).
Unless messin with rocks is your thing
YMMV
Regards
Mike

Big +1 on the above. If you already have a honing arsenal than by all means go for the natural. If you don't yet have a synthetic start with something like the norton 4/8 and once you've got it down look out for a natural and have fun experimenting.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Big +1 on the above. If you already have a honing arsenal than by all means go for the natural. If you don't yet have a synthetic start with something like the norton 4/8 and once you've got it down look out for a natural and have fun experimenting.

Very wise advice! Could be extremely frustrating even knowing how to hone, to hone on naturals and get good edges consistently.

Thanks for all the replies. I already ordered both a BBW and a Coticule. (A little bit too early, since I did that just after my last reply. Right now I would have gone for the norton.) Anyway, I think I'll have fun experimenting. And I'll definetely try a norton too later.

Originally Posted by metsie

Thanks for all the replies. I already ordered both a BBW and a Coticule. (A little bit too early, since I did that just after my last reply. Right now I would have gone for the norton.) Anyway, I think I'll have fun experimenting. And I'll definetely try a norton too later.

I always say "I rather be lucky than good"! If you get good stone and make them work with minimal frustration, then you may never need the Nortons.

You always can get the Nortons or Naniwas or Shaptons later if the Coti or BBW don't live up to expectation!

Let us know! Double O

I guess I should have specified that the BBW I have used are vintage combo stones and I got the best results from glycerin and water.

With slurry you can effectively just use the yellow coticule to hone the razor - diluting the slurry as you progress until you're just polishing with water and no slurry.

With this said, its easier in many ways to go through a 4k then 8k hone and then use the coticule to finish up. When touching up, use lots of water and keep pressure increasingly light - you should be able to achieve a very nice edge without major headaches.

I have a bbw/coticule combo stone and I've rarely used the bbw stone - it just feels like a slower coticule with no advantages. Am i missing something?

Originally Posted by hillbillypick

I guess I should have specified that the BBW I have used are vintage combo stones and I got the best results from glycerin and water.

Try making a very light slurry with one back-and-forth stroke of a slurry stone (BBW or coticule, it's pretty inconsequential which) and finish on that with 30-50 X-strokes. Also, as with coticules, vintage makes no difference in BBW. They can vary, but in my experience less than coticules do.

Originally Posted by Christel

With slurry you can effectively just use the yellow coticule to hone the razor - diluting the slurry as you progress until you're just polishing with water and no slurry.

While this is true (and no rocket science either), the easiest way to start on a coticule is getting a good bevel, adding a layer of electric tape and a good splash of water (again, the amount is not a matter of life or death), do around 30 X-strokes, then rinse both coticule and razor and do around 50 very light X-strokes on water only. This is the concise version, for the full (more exact and explanatory) instructions, definitely see: http://www.coticule.be/unicot.html.

If you have any issues, you can always post a question in the clinic over at http://www.coticule.be/clinic.html (first create a profile).

Originally Posted by Christel

I have a bbw/coticule combo stone and I've rarely used the bbw stone - it just feels like a slower coticule with no advantages. Am i missing something?

No, you're not missing anything. BBWs are pretty much slower coticules with no real advantage over coticules (as least for honing razors). That's why I said that you really don't need one if you have a coticule. That being said, they are very nice hones in their own right.

Metsie, as you say you only mean to use them for upkeep on your razors, a periodic 30-50 back-and-forth X-strokes on just water every three to six months should do just fine. On the COTICULE, that is

I'll just keep repeating it: Naturals are nothing to be afraid of, especially coticules as they are very well documented. A bit challenging, sure, but so is learning to shave with a straight razor.

If you want to buy a coticule from Ardennes Cotucules you best send the owner Maurice Celis a mail and tell him what you want and what you're gonna use it for. He knows his rocks, he revived the quarry.

Originally Posted by Pithor

I'll just keep repeating it: Naturals are nothing to be afraid of, especially coticules as they are very well documented. A bit challenging, sure, but so is learning to shave with a straight razor.

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated!

I suppose I am a testament to this since I learned to hone on a coticule before I shelled out and bought synthetic, graded hones. Looking back, I can see how having a 1k - 4k - 8k+ system of stones to work through could give structure and a sense of surety to the honing experience: something tangible and concrete that a newcomer to honing might appreciate. With this said, once you have got your head around the use of slurry, they are hugely versatile stones that flatter meagre tonight talent such as my own and work very well. I am considering purchasing a larger coticule since my 4x10cm stone is a tad small, I’ll have to send Maurice an email and go from there!