Thread: Coti breaking glass HELP

Originally Posted by rideon66

It is not a theory about shattering garenets with diamond plate. It is a magnification photo in grinding and honing the one about coticule.

Yes this is correct
There are photos of the garnets broken and rigid after a diamond plate slurry. Hank bos's article on coticules also discusses this.

Thanks for the responses guys.
To answer some of the questions:

Bought it from The Superior Shave after calling Jarred and explaining I hadn't used a coticule and was looking for a finisher/maintenance stone. From my research he's a pretty solid dude and I thought I'd have some faith and rely on his recommendation.

I use a 1k Nani for bevel setting, then Norton 4/8k, with a 12K Nani SS to finish it off. Might strop on CroX (but not always). Pretty crisp shaves off this routine. I probably shouldn't have said HHT. It would be cool to get a HHT after finishing (I'm like a kid everytime I see a vid of someone doing that) but comfort is what I'm striving for.

I'm using a couple of solid razors (steel wise) that I picked up to use for honing practice and include in my rotation. Both razors went through the above mentioned routine.

I've tried just polishing after normal progression on the bout with just water and then tried again under running water.
I've butter knifed on glass and tried a slurry to water/running water progression on the Coti; butter knifed then tried a Unicot method finishing with water and then went back on another session with running water.
I tinkered with various amounts of pressure utilizing the above methods from normal pressure to feather light at the end.
Just to clarify...I'm not mixing up things in the middle of a honing session. I'm trying to be methodic and limit variables during each session.

All in all I'm having fun! I'm finding I like the natural's feel, and kind of dig the progression through a slurry.
I'm using the whole experience to refine my technique: holding the razor, my stroke, my flip, observing my "wave" in front of the blade, and adjusting my pressure. After reading one of Bart's old post on coticule.be I went back to the basics Marty taught me when I started.

Disburden-
I'm pretty sure I read some of your old comments in that post. It's the one where Bart gives a six day beginners routine that includes drinking a beer (AWSOME advice!!!)

Anyway thanks again fellas
and
Smooth Shaves
Jer

Originally Posted by Disburden

Yes this is correct
There are photos of the garnets broken and rigid after a diamond plate slurry. Hank bos's article on coticules also discusses this.

I found the same thing. A diamond plate produced crescent shaped shards in the slurry, while the rubbing stone created pieces that were more symmetrical in shape.

I just sent you a pm on some ideas and tips for coticules.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I found the same thing. A diamond plate produced crescent shaped shards in the slurry, while the rubbing stone created pieces that were more symmetrical in shape.

The slurry also dulls after a while. You can see the garnets change shape. This is why I refresh the slurry when I work it on the old slurry

What has been said is all true.
The OP states he is using a "bout"
While it can be done, it isnt as easy on a small piece of Coticule.
It is just another variable that adds to the equation.
Keeping with methodical. Consider using your synthetics to 8K, then use your coti to test your edge.
Improvement/refinement= good. Then test your 12K and use same method water and coti and test.
Setting a bevel and dilution to a finish on a coti is romantic, and possible/plausible.
The variables are experienced honer and a special Coticule.

A strong violin on the HHT can indicate a good shaving edge, as the hair and other variables influence your end result; this is what calibration means in practice.

I get strong violin results on occasion and usually this means my edge is at least good.

Give it a good stropping on linen and leather and test again or just give it a go at your stubble.

Best regards,

Pieter

Thanks for all the advice guys!
I'm not going to say I hit the mark this morning, but the shave was super smooth right up there with some shaves off my RA that SRD put the edge on.
I used one of Bart's recommended methods off an old post and finished with running water; stropping- 30 linen/100-120 leather
Threw on some MDC that one of our members gifted me a chunk of (biker type dude that has a rep of frightening restaurant owners at meet ups )
HEAVENLY SHAVE finished off with some Clubman Spec Resv.

Nick-
I honed a little late last night using the method you recommended. It's up next in the rotation.

Thanks again gentlemen...always love the advice I get here.

Keep it safe,
Jer

Ive kept my comments to myself, mainly because i ha ent been able to get much of anywhere with a coti. Glad your finding some progress. I shipped mine off to be tested by someone who uses coties just to eliminate the issue of the stone. He said the stone did have bad spots on it so maybe when i get it back i can continue to learn this %$!#@ stone.
Good luck!

I recommend trying out ballistol with your coticule. I used it yesterday and I would say there was definitely an improvement for me.