Thread: What do you like about your coti?

I know there's a lot of love out there for coticules. I've read about their flexibility, being able to take a blade from bevel setting through to finishing. I've read about how smooth an edge they create. To be fair, I've also read about consistency concerns (which I guess is a concern of all naturals versus synthetics).

I'm asking as a relative newbie to honing. I'm just starting my quest to find the hone(s) that really suit me, and I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect. I have a new coticule as currently my only stone. I've used it long enough to fully disable a razor, then create a reasonable edge (from bevel to finish) using the unicot method then to create a reasonable edge (from bevel to finish) using the dilucot method. Both of those edges I had to lap on a crox pasted strop to get it really shave ready. Well, newbie shave ready. I still have room to improve, but the razor is now giving me quite acceptable shaves (both in closeness and in comfort).

So my questions are these:
· Do you prefer your coti as an all inclusive stone that you can use end to end or for whatever stage you need it?
· Do you just use it just as a finisher?
· Do you just use it as a mid-level stone and finish with a different stone?
· If you were counseling a newbie, what do you think is the best way to learn honing?
o Would you recommend a specific hone or set of hones or do you think the specific hone has less to do with it and it’s simply the technique you need to learn?
o How quickly would you check out other hones? Would you say it's okay, if one has a mind to, try different hones once you are able to produce a usable edge on any other stone or would you advise to prefect a given stone (e.g. hone several edges) before testing the waters?

Thanks. I appreciate your input.