Thread: How to use Coticule.

Originally Posted by tok

I think the reason, Coticules as barber hones were sold without a slurry stone is because they were used without creating slurry.

Let´s assume, that the "old " barbers didn't´t buy their razors on Ebay or on a flea market.
Let´s further assume, that the "old" razor companies were able to put a shaveable edge on a razor, or at least an edge, that only needed to be finished.

If these statements are true, the barbers never actually had to hone a razor. All they had to do, was to maintain the edge by touching it up, unless they rounded it by using pasted strops (I am not sure at all, but I think that I´ve read somewhere, that those, who used pasted strops, sended the razors to the companies to let them hone). They just touched up, as soon as the razor got dull, and as we all agree (well, I guess), on a coticule, this is best made without creating slurry.
I´ve read about three or four historical barbers manuals, including the one linked above. Everything I´ve read there, supports this. No one tells something about using a series of hones.

When we hone a razor, starting with bevelsetting, we actually do the work, that is done by the razor makers. So, if we want to find out, how razors were honed yesteryears, looking how the barbers did it, is missing the point. We have to look how they were sharpened in the factory.

This being said, dilucot and unicot don´t claim to be historically correct. They might be as incorrect as lime green acrylic scales or diamond sprays are. I don´t see, why this should be a bad thing.

@ hi_bud_gl:

How would you recommend to work on a coticule, when I´m setting the bevel on it, too? Using heavy slurry, until I worked out the bevel, then rinse off the slurry and starting on plain water, using a little pressure, then finishing with no pressure, without rinsing the hone in between?

And, may I ask if you´ve tried the unicot or dilucot method? (If yes, what are your thoughts about them?)

Regards,
tok

You just assumed away an entire profession "Cutlers"

Some barbers did exactly that too but not all... Also, who said people didn't use slurry, keep in mind those barber's manuals are kept simple and easy for new barbers... They are the 19th century version of the Internet also, just one person's opinion, I haven't read one yet without finding at least one or two "facts" that most consider total BS...
There is a really good Vid of a barber on youtube named Liam using a Coticule a "rubber" and doing some very interesting "pigtail" strokes... There are a few more of the same out there on youtube of older barbers using slurry on coticules...and Japanese naturals and Eschers...
I know it might be annoying to you, but there was slurry used before 2009 ...

Also just so you know, many/most razors came from the factory with what they called "Hair Tested" stamps... what we would probably call HHT, they were expected to shave from the box...

PS: Rounded bevel from pasted strop ???? Hmmmmm yeah another one of those unproved statements, in fact the tests I have done myself don't support that theory... sounds good on paper, but unless you basically let the strop sag or don't know how to strop it ain't gonna happen... One of those try it yourself and learn experiments you should do, so ya don't have to take my word for it..