Thread: Coticule...wow.

Just got my first coticule today from SRD (select grade on slate--no BBW backing--250mm x 50mm). Used the dilucot/unicot methods on Welcome to Coticule.be - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone. I thought those techniques might be difficult to employ or too advanced/technical, but...goodness.

As a test run, I used a Germania Cutlery "Pathfinder" which has managed to avoid shave-readiness despite assiduous progressions on Nortons, DMTs, Swatys and pasted/non-pasted strops.

That hopelessly dull razor went from bevel-setting to finishing on the coticule in about 1/2 an hour, then got 120 total laps on linen/horsehide, and now it passes the HHT like nothing I've seen. I've never gotten a razor to that point before.

As a relative newcomer to honing, I have to strongly second the recommendations of the SRP pros who have advocated coticule-only honing. The stones seem expensive, but when I add up the cost of the other hones/strops/pastes I've used to try to get the same result, it would have been considerably cheaper to start with a coticule.

Can't wait to get ready for work tomorrow morning!

That's pretty amazing results for your first time using a Coticule. Setting a bevel on a Coticule is exceedingly difficult even for more the more experienced...

I'm glad you found success on the coticule. They certainly can be used with success if you are willing to take the time to experiment with and learn the one you get.

I don't want to detract from that at all, but something to consider - all honing moves you towards your bevel, so everything you did before you started on the coticule helped. Had you started on the coticule and then gone to the synthetics. you would likely be talking about how difficult the coti was and how easy the synthetics were. When a razor needs work, there is nothing to do but put in whatever work it takes.

Originally Posted by QuinnFlint

Just got my first coticule today from SRD (select grade on slate--no BBW backing--250mm x 50mm). Used the dilucot/unicot methods on Welcome to Coticule.be - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone. I thought those techniques might be difficult to employ or too advanced/technical, but...goodness.

As a test run, I used a Germania Cutlery "Pathfinder" which has managed to avoid shave-readiness despite assiduous progressions on Nortons, DMTs, Swatys and pasted/non-pasted strops.

That hopelessly dull razor went from bevel-setting to finishing on the coticule in about 1/2 an hour, then got 120 total laps on linen/horsehide, and now it passes the HHT like nothing I've seen. I've never gotten a razor to that point before.

As a relative newcomer to honing, I have to strongly second the recommendations of the SRP pros who have advocated coticule-only honing. The stones seem expensive, but when I add up the cost of the other hones/strops/pastes I've used to try to get the same result, it would have been considerably cheaper to start with a coticule.

Can't wait to get ready for work tomorrow morning!

That is great...I had a very similar experience with a natural BBW/Yellow combo stone (also naturally fused) last weekend. After creating the slurry, I proceeded to take my 5/8, full hollow Respecto (which was starting to pull & tug a bit...rough shaves) through the rigors of the unicot method and the edge on this thing came to life.

However, I also have to agree with Dylan (Holli4pirating) here. My bevel was already set on a 1K Naniwa (and honed in progression with the 5K, 8K and 12K Naniwas)...so, a keen edge on a coticule may have been easier to achieve because of this.

Nonetheless, I will be getting a dull Dubl Duck and experiment a bit from scratch using the coti.

As some wise man once said: it's better to be lucky than good. I'd like to consider myself lucky and hope that this streak will continue...

Now, if I could only get my hands on a decent Escher that will not break the bank .

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I don't want to detract from that at all, but something to consider - all honing moves you towards your bevel, so everything you did before you started on the coticule helped. Had you started on the coticule and then gone to the synthetics. you would likely be talking about how difficult the coti was and how easy the synthetics were. When a razor needs work, there is nothing to do but put in whatever work it takes.

Yeah, you absolutely have a point that I hadn't completely considered--the bevel was likely almost there, and it may have just been certain steps of the unicot method (edge-refining steps--maybe just the taping) that brought things to a head. Maybe that method could be employed on a progression through synthetics with similar results.

Maybe it comes down to having a new toy, or being able to get so many grits out of the same stone, or just the romance of the coticule--I'm pleased, though. I won't liquidate my other hones just yet, but based on the handful of razors I've put to it tonight, the coti has lived up to the hype so far.

Thanks for all the feedback! These forums have taught me everything from how to lather up and avoid becoming an accidental Van Gogh all the way to making ebay junk shave-ready...for free! It's like I hacked into an online degree program; so thanks.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Now, if I could only get my hands on a decent Escher that will not break the bank .

For real.

I feel your pain.

Originally Posted by QuinnFlint

For real.

I feel your pain.

Try looking for a vintage Thuringian. Escher is just a brand of Thuringian, and while some Eschers may be higher quality, they also command much higher prices. Also, you never know, a vintage Thuringian may be an Escher that lost the label...

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Now, if I could only get my hands on a decent Escher that will not break the bank .

Taking a razor to a Cr2O3 pasted strop after the coticule achieves very similar results IME.

Originally Posted by Kees

Taking a razor to a Cr2O3 pasted strop after the coticule achieves very similar results IME.

Hmmm. That is good to know...thanks for the info . Then, I am set. Who wants a $700 Escher?

Thanks Kees

Try looking for a vintage Thuringian. Escher is just a brand of Thuringian, and while some Eschers may be higher quality, they also command much higher prices.

Thanks for the advice--just got mainaman's mueller Thuringian from the classifieds yesterday. Tried it out with an Eskiltuna frameback that was sharp but tugging a little; after the Thuringian it was sharp and comfy and wonderful!