1k - BBW - Coticule Does anyone else even use this any longer???

I have a question that just came to mind as I am soaking the 1k before I hone a few Sheffield razors..

My goto stone for English steel is a Select Grade Coticule, but I realized that it has been quite some time since I have read about this progression, about 5 years ago it was pretty much the standard way to procede with these...

Does anyone still use these stones in this fashion, I know I didn't for the longest time because I haven't had a BBW since 2009 but I bought a new one and have gone back to using it again... I have been doing the 1-4-8 or 1-3-8 then a Coticule since 2009 but switched back about 2 months ago ..

Anyway it was just a thought that occured to me so I thought I would ask :hmmm:

I use a BBW as a prepolisher don't know if I am using it in the right progression though. I have a 8x2 BBW I bought for $5 so I figured I would at least try to use it. I go 1k vintage fast coticule with slurry, BBW with water only, then coticule with water only.

I have been using the DMT E, BBW, and Coti progression, as described in the wiki, for about a year and a half-- and have yet to find a razor that cannot be tamed using this method. I have used razors finished on other stones that leave a sharper edge; but to my face, the coti is the most comfortable that I've come across. Just my dos centavos.

I used to do that progression too. Like you I read it and it seemed pretty good. At some point I stopped doing the bbw and just did slurry on the yellow (bevel already set on a 1k) and did the dilute thing. I may go back and try the bbw before the yellow just to refresh my memory. I do recall that the progression seemed to work well.

I just started this recently, after a discussion with Nate (Maxi). I'm getting the best edges I've ever honed myself. I do notice that it's not as sharp, but very smooth.

I don't use the 1k-bbw- coticule progression but, after setting a bevel I usually just finish on the BBW starting from light slurry. My BBW has alot less slurry dulling so 9/10 times I'll get great edges from it, its a bit slower than my standard coticule though. so I set the bevel on the naniwa 1k or coticule.

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Originally Posted by justalex

I don't use the 1k-bbw- coticule progression but, after setting a bevel I usually just finish on the BBW starting from light slurry. My BBW has alot less slurry dulling so 9/10 times I'll get great edges from it, its a bit slower than my standard coticule though. so I set the bevel on the naniwa 1k or coticule.

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I did one that way, but it came out a little harsh. Is it that I didn't go long enough on the BBW or do I need to finish on something else?

I usually get harsh edges if I either use too much pressure, started with too thick a slurry or diluted too quick. It doesn't happen so much now but sometimes the bevel wasn't completely set and I'll have a tiny line reflecting light right at the edge of the razor, that sometimes makes it a bit harsh.

If you try a very light slurry and dilute usually the BBW can pick it up, depending on how your BBW performs of course :) but generally BBW are slower but can get to the same level of edge a coticule can get to

regards Alex

I tried the BBW twice, using the procedure outlined in the BBW study .pdf on coticule.be. Of the two blades, one was harsh. On the last 3 I did (this wk), each was harsh, but more keen than I can get w/ the yellow. Once the keenness is there, the coti seems to tame the harshness - or go to another stone for smoothness. I've not seen the method in the wiki here, but now you can bet I'll be trying it.
BTW, Good to hear your experience w/ it, Alex. Thx for posting.

Coming off the 1k, I think it depends how fine the 1k takes it, sometimes you can get away with quite a thin watery slurry. stropping strokes I've heard make a difference to the softness off a BBW.

I've started doing 2 laps on linen after bevel setting to remove any thick slurry at the edge before diluting, seems to reduce rough edges, giving the thin slurry a clean edge to work on.

regards Alex