Thread: Coticules

Originally Posted by Clayglen

Are duds just the user? Or the challenge of the stone... not crappy stones?
Are blues more friendly?

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

I have used about 30 different cotis and they have all been different. Some have glass like hardness and feel to them and slow as hell but leave very nice edges and other are on the softer side give really good feedback and leave not so good edges. If you are in the coti market, I suggest if possible to get a feel for the stone before purchasing it maybe from a local vendor or a fellow razor user. If not make sure you express your needs to the seller so he can pick a stone that is suitable.

To get a great finish try finish honing on your Coti using running water. Dr. Matt I say "THANK YOU"!!

Lol, most likely. Honestly started from learning the lingo to to liking what I read to trying to learn a bit more. Ran through the posted jnat websites, now pondering if a coti might be something I want to try... some day.
Odds are you'll be seeing questions about Arkansas next.
It seems I can't get my answers as soon as I'd like from reading posts or websites so I ask questions.
Sorry to offend but this is the best place for answers.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Ty gentleman. Frank... yep sticking with synthetic for awhile. Good advice. Stick with something easier for awhile before moving on. As with anything it isn't the only way.
For me once the challenge is gone the interest is gone. I'd still be shaving with a plastic razor it I was interested in easy. I like old, and old ways. I was born in the wrong time period perhaps. In my mind synthetic are new. If all one is looking for is an edge then they are probably the way to go and also a good first step.
Regards


Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

One more question... for now. Are coticules sealed or is that just a jnat thing?

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Clayglen

One more question... for now. Are coticules sealed or is that just a jnat thing?

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

In generally i personally dont seal them. But as always if any cracks/hailine cracks appear you can try to seal those with a thin glue....afterwards overlap...

If you have bigger break outs or more cracks try to fill bigger areas with a mixture of coti powder and glue....

If the stone is very unstable you surely can seal all possible sides, beside the honing area.

Originally Posted by Clayglen

What size of coti is favored?

Ideal sharpening stone (coticule) size is 70x200mm for me. Sharpening is slower on shorter stone. Handy width of the stone is the same as the width of the blade or more. It is not valid for smile edge. Sharpening on the narrow stone threatens inconsistent grinding along the straight edge. It can produce frown edge. For beginner wider stone is better stone.

Cons of larger stones are:
- more problematic lapping
- higher price
- sometimes less consistent abrasive surface over the entire length
- more weight and takes up storage space (collectors and travelers problem)

My favorite size would be about 150 x 40, a good size for hand holding, which give you an amazing connection to what is happening to the steel on the stone. Great for techniques other than plain X strokes ... and much cheaper also!

I started out buying straights left and right, really getting comfortable shaving every day. Then I had to sell all of them to buy a new macbook.

A year later, I wanted to trash my stupid DE and get back into straights. Only this time—I started with a rock and beater razors. My first stone ever was a 150 x 50 coticule. Don't let ANYONE tell you it can't be done. It can, and when you do be sure to tell them about it. There, see that?

Now, brace yourself for the reality: It took me 2 years to figure that stone out. Literally a few weeks ago it dawned on me I was rushing way too much on a slow stone. Some time off here and there, but mostly frustration and serious impatience. Don't let it discourage you. I have yet to experience a "bad" coticule, I buy more of them because I'm a greedy bastard and I have a serious addiction problem. I'm consistent now, but I hone every night. I take a beater razor I don't care about, dull it, and give it another go. It's one of those things that's so simple you're obsessed with figuring it out. When you do, the coti world opens up. The shaves, at least for me, are miraculous, total faceterbating type stuff. Other hones will give you much much keener (I have a black ark that makes a CNAT cry; yet my CNAT is most certainly NOT 12k, not even after 1000 laps on water—yes I tried).

Again, and I want to stress this: the biggest problem I had in learning my coti was impatience. I expected after 3 minutes an edge sharper than a politician's tongue. Doesn't quite work like that. If you don't have patience, bail out now and stick wth synths. I'm with doorsch, I only rock naturals, my only synth is a King 1k that is mostly a doorstop and a soon-to-arrive double layer barber's hone I only bought because I mistook it for a Gross Blanche coticule like a big ol dummy. Can't take new jersey outta this one.

I don't think naturals are better than synths for the dollar, I think they're better *for me* because it's a fun way to hone a razor and open up a cool sub-hobby. Cotis have zen.

Against the advice of everyone I respect on here, I'll probably get one. Lol...

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk