Quote Originally Posted by Ryan82 View Post
As well, the coticule has a reputation for smoothing out a sharp edge that is too harsh, creating a good balance of sharp & smooth.
Quote Originally Posted by Stubear View Post
I've tried edges off both the 16k Shapton (very sharp and polished, but a little too harsh for my tastes) and the 12k Naniwa, which was very sharp and smooth but just not quite as good as a natural..!
Quote Originally Posted by Disburden View Post
I have a shapton 16K and I don't like it unless I smooth it with cerium or hit a finishing hone after. I think the naniwa 12K is much better for that step of honing.
Gentlemen,

After the 16K try a few laps on the coticule. As long as you don't overdo it the edge should retain the sharpness of the Shapton yet obtain the smoothness from the coti, taking away some of the harshness.

In the same vein, I'm not a big fan of diamond paste, I find it harsh on my face sometimes. I'll give my razor the coticule treatment and
perhaps some chrome ox (which agrees more with my face than diamond) and I'm back in shaving bliss.