Thread: Naniwa 12K after a Coticule, to improve edges that are good but not great?

Might be something in the alloy of the second-level razors that the coti won't cut.

If they refuse to yield to anything, make a balsa hone with 0.25 micron diamond or green chromium oxide (0.5).

Nice fine grained carbon steel should yield to natural stones nicely, but as far as I know, there are no carbides that diamonds and green stuff won't cut.

All of my naturals are particular about the steels that are used, at least when it comes to woodworking tools. Never paid that much attention with razors.

Great replies guys, I'm learning loads. What is interesting is that tonight I took one of the 2nd grade razors, dulled it on a bottle then reset the bevel with my King 1000 then moved straight onto the 6000, then finished ve it it on my dragons tongue. I then tried to improve the edge with a C12K (PHIG) but it dulled slightly. Then I went back to the DT and got it back to where it had been. I have just test shaved and it was sharper than it had been from the coticule but the edge was not as smooth and I have very slight burn.

Before I shave with it next I shall give it a dozen or so laps on my coti 1st and see what that does.

I'm still tempted by the Naniwa but in the meantime I'll explore this method.

in my limited experience going to a stone that will get you finer and sharper but not as smooth, followed by a few laps one something thats not as keen but smoother can get you a good comprimise at worst, or the best of both worlds at best.

if your coti on water is slow to cut but polishes, get sharp on a finer faster cutting stone, and do just enough laps on your coti with water or lather to get smooth.

it make sence to me. worked for me with my jnat(keen) and escher(smooth). try it for yourself.

Originally Posted by Jeltz

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dulled it on a bottle then
.....

Comment for beginners... about "dull on a glass"

Ouch... there are reasons to do the dull on a glass thing
yet it is not something that should be done to a worthy razor
you are shaving with.

The amount of steel you have to hone away and the resulting
chips on some blades makes this a parlor trick for honing contests
and on occasion hone evaluations. It is not something a beginning
shaver should play with when the goal is to shave.

This thread is very interesting. Coti hones are natural and vary
a lot. The Na12K is a worthy hone and is both fast and fine to the
point that it could be used lightly on Saturday afternoon to put a
smooth sharp edge on a razor for the rest of the week. Heck the
next month or two.

A prize coti is well "a prize" and for some there is no better edge.
I used mine under water only for decades... no flat lap no rubbing
stone...

If you have both -- the shave test will tell you
what you need to know. Me I had fallen in love with a Na12K followed
by a grey canvas (dirty) and clean leather. Lately
I have been slow dancing with an 8K snow white hone...