Thread: Help with extremely though coticule

I haven't thought much about the amount of variance in Coti hardness. I guess it the same with most species of stone.
Do harder cotis usually cut faster or do they just normally provide a finer edge?

Another non coticule user with an idea. I use hard slates and slurry on most of my naturals. The more water you put on the hone, the harder it is to make slurry. I makes a very tiny puddle and then wet the slurry stone only a tiny bit and then work it in a dry area and get it started. Once you get a little slurry it help to make more slurry. I also rarely make heavy or thick slurry. Add water in very slowly as you build the slurry.

Originally Posted by JP5

I haven't thought much about the amount of variance in Coti hardness. I guess it the same with most species of stone.
Do harder cotis usually cut faster or do they just normally provide a finer edge?

In my opinion, the harder stones, by themselves, cut slower as the surface is hard and prevents much grit from being exposed or loosened from the matrix.
JMO, YMMV
~Richard

You could also try what I believ is called the "smashed slurry" method. Basically make a slurry with both stones dry, I've gotten my best results with slurries that way. Just be sure to add water slowly, so you don't wash it all off.

But from your results, it doesn't appear that you need a slurry...

Hmmm... I have a couple hard vintage coticules, one that's especially hard, that I will have to play around with more. Thanks for the good tips/ideas/info here fellas!

Originally Posted by Geezer

In my opinion, the harder stones, by themselves, cut slower as the surface is hard and prevents much grit from being exposed or loosened from the matrix.
JMO, YMMV
~Richard

That makes sense. For some reason the I thought a harder stone would be faster cutter. Now that I think about it hard Arks don't cut like soft arks do with pocket knives. Now it seems like a goofy question.

Originally Posted by JP5

I haven't thought much about the amount of variance in Coti hardness. I guess it the same with most species of stone.
Do harder cotis usually cut faster or do they just normally provide a finer edge?

It depends on the stone in question plus slurry no slurry. In general the harder stones cut slower without slurry, but give a keener edge. With slurry it depends on the stone and the slurry stone in question and the properties of each along with the concentration of them in the slurry.

Thank you all for your input.

I will try a little longer with the slurry stone, for a few minutes. If not successful I will get a super fine (1200) diamond stone as suggested.

My daily shaver is sharp but other razors I have need major sharpening, thus creating slurry is a must. Regarding the use of softer stones, I have done that, but since I spent the pennies on a very special piece of coticule, I do want to try out its properties with slurry as well

Originally Posted by Diegok

Thank you all for your input.

I will try a little longer with the slurry stone, for a few minutes. If not successful I will get a super fine (1200) diamond stone as suggested.

My daily shaver is sharp but other razors I have need major sharpening, thus creating slurry is a must. Regarding the use of softer stones, I have done that, but since I spent the pennies on a very special piece of coticule, I do want to try out its properties with slurry as well

Very Hard Coti's that do not slurry easily do not make for good all around hones

ie: Stones that finish very well might not lend themselves to lower end work without the use of softer Rubbers

I think many of use would view that as a good thing

Thank you all

I tried light rubbing for about 2-3 minutes, until I started to see a hazy slurry, very little water and more rubbing got my some slurry. I don't recon you can set bevels with it. For that you would need a soft stone, but is good for the latter part. The edge is amazing.

One happy camper here