Thread: 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

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.

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.

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