Thread: Coticules

I started with a BBW/Coti natural combo and used it successfully for years. Added a CH12K a few years ago and shaves got a touch smoother.

Since I only had the one stone, I guess that I pretty much mastered it but there wasn't really anything to it. Hone. Test. Hone some more. Test. Maybe I got lucky with my stone. Based on my personal experience, I would say that cotis are a great stone to start on but I guess others who have owned more than one coti tend to disagree.

The person operating the coti is usually where the trouble comes in. A thick head and a 'mysterious' stone can be a bad combination. I speak from experience, of course.

I started with coticules moved on to other naturals and still use coticules all the time. I have many and each is different, but none are bad. As stated above hone test hone some more. It takes time practice and patience. One stone hone is where I started and I bought old wedges off the web and fixed them up on nothing but a coti. Now it took alot of time and that is how I learned. Along with alot of reading online. If you want to buy I would contact Ardennes and ask them for a bout and figure out what size you want or look at TSS.

Originally Posted by kelbro

Hone. Test. Hone some more. Test.

I'll step out on a limb here and say, I like to do it while shaving. The old coti.be recommendation used to be double your stropping efforts after a coti honing session, and that's true as well, but I've had many beautiful shaves straight off the stone.
IIRC Howard over at the perfect edge does or did it too. It's a great way to test the results of different strokes and pressure and what not. And if everything else goes wrong, it's a chance to apply more lather!

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


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

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Originally Posted by Clayglen

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

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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

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

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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"!!

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)