Thread: Is there even a point

I have a 2 line Swaty but I'm now thinking of getting a coticule. Is there a point or would it just be a waste of money?

A coticule is never a waste of money!

From one perspective, you Swaty will do a great job of finishing & if that's all you want, you need nothing more.

From another, different stones give different edges. A coti as a finisher gives a beautifully smooth edge. It can also do so much more with the use of slurry. I love mine!

The coticule is a little more universal. You can use a coticule for some edge repair and also for touch ups and final polishing. They are just good all around stones to have. If you enjoy the honing side of straight shaving then I would get one just because they are fun to play with. There is tons of people on here with them (myself included). Almost all of them will help you with any questions you might have on honing with a coticule. If all you are going to do is touch up your razors every now and then you could stick with just the swaty but where is the fun in that!!!

I suggest you get the coticule and discover how they differ for yourself.

Originally Posted by xman

I suggest you get the coticule and discover how they differ for yourself.

Well put X!!

When I first started honing I was using a Norton 4/8k and later debated a coti as you are. I finally got one and was pleased with the results. It is a versicle hone but I usually just use mine as a finisher or just prior to finisher. They don't produce a wire edge and give a nice smooth edge. If you can fit it in your budget you will be pleased with it and forget the cost over time.

depends on what you want to do with it but you cannot know without trying it. if you want to use it as a finishing stone only you wouldn't notice that dramatic difference in the edge, so you're likely to consider it a waste of money. but if you want to get into the territory beyond the capabilities of the swaty, or you're prone to overhoning then you probably won't find it wasteful.

Just IMO, at the same level of sharpness the coticule will leave a gentler feel to an edge than a synthetic stone. That may be a controversial statement but that is IME. Then there is the history. People have been honing their razors on a coticule for hundreds of years and I get a kick out of using a 150 year old Sheffield that has been finished on a stone that may have been the same as what the original owner used. There are other good reasons covered by the previous posters.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Just IMO, at the same level of sharpness the coticule will leave a gentler feel to an edge than a synthetic stone. That may be a controversial statement but that is IME. Then there is the history. People have been honing their razors on a coticule for hundreds of years and I get a kick out of using a 150 year old Sheffield that has been finished on a stone that may have been the same as what the original owner used. There are other good reasons covered by the previous posters.

I second your observation. It's odd because it doesn't feel as sharp on the skin as other edges that I've seen. Some may say it's not as sharp, but it wipes the whiskers away for me, so I feel that it's plenty keen. Coticules are my favorite finisher, but whether the differences in the finishes is worth the effort or price is another debate

It's a well respected razor hone. Do you really need a reason to buy one other than you just want one?