Thread: Coticule

Originally Posted by GoReds

This is a very very interesting approach on honing. I really enjoyed reading it.

Just some questions please.

What kind of grit do you use to set the bevel through sandpaper?

Do you use one piece of marble or one for each Crox : pastes etc?

What brand are you using for blue oxide?

If you put the last edge with 0.25um balsa, have you tried to keep it refreshed with a 0.1um in balsa? You might be surprised. I kept a razor refreshed by touching it up daily in a pasted balsa with 0.1um after that razor came to me shave ready from a 0.5, 0.3um and 0.1um pasted balsa strop.

Again, I really enjoyed your setup. Basically it needs crox/diamond paste, balsa, cotton strop, 1to 5 pieces of marble plates and one (you use 2 actually) stone. You gave me a lot to think of.

Let me answer your questions:

What kind of grit do you use to set the bevel through sandpaper?

None. The 600 Wet/dry sandpaper is sufficient. However, you should use some lubricant. Like I said I use a mix (50/50) mineral oil and mineral spirits. Works for me every time with no problems.

Do you use one piece of marble or one for each Crox : pastes etc?

Yes. You can find these marble plate at Lowes for like $1.98. I have five or six of them. If I drop one and break it, no big deal.

What brand are you using for blue oxide?

Not sure on this one. I got this as a gift from my son. He bought it on Amazon. He said he paid like $10.00 for big bar of it. I'll never use all of it in my lifetime.

If you put the last edge with 0.25um balsa, have you tried to keep it refreshed with a 0.1um in balsa? You might be surprised. I kept a razor refreshed by touching it up daily in a pasted balsa with 0.1um after that razor came to me shave ready from a 0.5, 0.3um and 0.1um pasted balsa strop.

I haven't tried or thought about that. Thank you for suggesting this. I'm going to look into it.

Like I said, You have to find something that works for you. My Grandfather was very strict with us growing up, especially when it came to the family self sustaining itself. We had to figure things out at an early stage in life. This was one that he taught me about the riddle of steel. This also works on anything that is steel and is an edged weapon. Good Luck and you'll find your niche. Adapt and overcome!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Let me answer your questions:

What kind of grit do you use to set the bevel through sandpaper?

None. The 600 Wet/dry sandpaper is sufficient. However, you should use some lubricant. Like I said I use a mix (50/50) mineral oil and mineral spirits. Works for me every time with no problems.

Do you use one piece of marble or one for each Crox : pastes etc?

Yes. You can find these marble plate at Lowes for like $1.98. I have five or six of them. If I drop one and break it, no big deal.

What brand are you using for blue oxide?

Not sure on this one. I got this as a gift from my son. He bought it on Amazon. He said he paid like $10.00 for big bar of it. I'll never use all of it in my lifetime.

If you put the last edge with 0.25um balsa, have you tried to keep it refreshed with a 0.1um in balsa? You might be surprised. I kept a razor refreshed by touching it up daily in a pasted balsa with 0.1um after that razor came to me shave ready from a 0.5, 0.3um and 0.1um pasted balsa strop.

I haven't tried or thought about that. Thank you for suggesting this. I'm going to look into it.

Like I said, You have to find something that works for you. My Grandfather was very strict with us growing up, especially when it came to the family self sustaining itself. We had to figure things out at an early stage in life. This was one that he taught me about the riddle of steel. This also works on anything that is steel and is an edged weapon. Good Luck and you'll find your niche. Adapt and overcome!

Thank you sir for giving a refreshed unique view on honing! I really enjoyed your explanation!

Interesting process John. I have always admired the tenacity and inventiveness we share in this endeavor. Lots of views, lots of methods and hopefully all getting us to a common end. Nice to see that perseverance and ingenuity hasn't ALL bee sucked out of us by electronics, AI, social media and pop culture.

Why Thank You! I'm not at all against all the high dollar fancy stones, (I think there is a place for them), just not for me. I don't hone anyone else's razors and I do this to get a good shave for me only. I do understand and support those folks who use a myriad of stones in their search for a great shave and to help others. I learned from a simple farmer (Grandpa) how to take care of things and it has served me well throughout my life. Less is More!

Originally Posted by Cattleman02

Thinking about getting a Coticule stone. What is the best brands stones to get affordability priced. And what are the the high-end cream of the crop brands. And color of stones for finishing blue, yellow etc. 8000 grit and above. I know since they are natural stones grits are not exact. Looking for quality consistency. Thank you for your time

Well, there are no "brands" of Coticules. They all come from the same place just different distributors.
Old Rock coticules I suppose are a brand or label as well as Salm. Coticules. Considered very good.
Old Pike Coticules, I have found to be pretty consistent over the few I have owned (Superfine and Extra Choice Select)
As stated they are a very hit or miss type of rock.
I've had absolute sh%T and simply phenomenal. You take your chances.

True, there are no brands of Coticules, but the quarry has/had several veins and some are smoother than others.
I have a select coticule from the La Grosse Jaune vein that's a good all-round hone as well as a great smooth finisher on just water.
I also have one from the La Veinette vein and it's a fast cutter, but a very sharpish finisher.
Where the select LGJ coticule finishes buttery smooth, the La Veinette is giving a sharpish feel.
So, indeed, mileage may vary.
In between, I've also owned a second select coticule from the La Grise vein and it wasn't buttery smooth either.
So, yeah hit and miss sometimes.