Thread: Coticule help - have an edge, but can't get it sharp

This is part of what is tricky with using a coticule to do everything - you need a good way to assess how the edge is progressing, and you need to know how to take that assessment of the edge and figure out what amount of slurry to use on the coticule. (This is really something that occurs with any one stone honing method, not just coticules.)

The various "methods" out there are best attempts to produce a repeatible process that will apply to coticules in general. But all coticules work differently, so those "methods" will not be optimized for YOUR coticule. They can be a good starting point, but you'll have to tweak what you are doing.

In order to tweak, you need to have a good way to assess the edge, and you need to have some idea about how your coticule is affecting the edge. Both of these become a lot easier with more honing experience, and that is why I don't recommend a coticule to a new honer.

What I would suggest is that you create a light slurry and start doing X strokes. As you go, check the edge periodically. Use whatever test you are comfortable with, be it TPT or HHT or an arm hair test or whatever. Keep honing until you get no more progress. Maintain a light slurry all the while - you may need to raise more slurry and/or add more water at various times. When you see no more progress, rinse off the hone and do the same thing (hone and test) with just plain water. This process should help you learn your coticule.

Don't get stuck on how your razor performs on the HHT unless you know how the hair sample you use performs at a given sharpness level. The HHT is worthless for me. I am bald and my wife and stepdaughter have extremely fine hair that usually won't pass a HHT with a pro honed blade that is a wonderful shaver. You need to develop tests that work for you. You do that through trial and error and really paying attention to every detail. I used to drive myself crazy trying to get razors to pass the HHT, now I don't even use it anymore.