Thread: Why A Coticule?

Oh man.. If I only had a Spoon for every time someone started a pointless argument about honing, I could eat soup for decades.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Thanks Ben...

Oh so true much like the saying, "Fear the man who owns but one rifle, he might just know how to use it"

Is this like one of those "Do as I say, not as I do!" moments I try to use on my kids?

[QUOTE=Joegags;951870]Is this like one of those "Do as I say, not as I do!" moments I try to use on my kids?


Nope yer right.... Guilty as charged

BUT

I hone Professionally,,, And restore razors Professionally

I have stated many times if I were just a shaver, I would own a few Kamisori and just that Nakayama you see in that pic to maintain them..

Before I found SRP I had two razors and only an Arkansas stone to maintain them for over 20 years.. it really does come down to each person's needs

If ya really want to dive deeper into the "What about a Coticule question" I would say the un-asked question here was "What razors do you own, and what are your favorites" that opens a whole other convoluted discussion...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I hone Professionally,,, And restore razors Professionally

Of course! I've seen and greatly admire the work you've posted - I just saw the opportunity to re-visit and drool over the stones in that picture

Not to hi-jack the thread - but did you buy your equipment piece by piece as the need arose, or did you buy a lot at a time when you decided to go pro in anticipation of "covering all the bases?"

Also, have you built a personal data base that automatically matches a particular razor with a particular stone? For example, does stainless steel make you reach for stone "A", Genco razors work best with stone "B", 1/4 ground razors respond best to stone "C", that sort of thing? Or, as you are working with any given razor, you start with the same stone and based on the feedback, switch to the stone that you know will fit the situation?

Thanks - Gags

Originally Posted by Joegags

Of course! I've seen and greatly admire the work you've posted - I just saw the opportunity to re-visit and drool over the stones in that picture

Not to hi-jack the thread - Hehehehe way to late for that but did you buy your equipment piece by piece as the need arose, NEED Hmmmm That is not really the right word I WANTED to try many things I honed over 1000 razors for people with just a Norton 4/8 first then expanded slowly or did you buy a lot at a time when you decided to go pro in anticipation of "covering all the bases?" More of I wanted to test the differences and gain expierence I really enjoy the hobby

Also, have you built a personal data base that automatically matches a particular razor with a particular stone? For example, does stainless steel make you reach for stone "A", Genco razors work best with stone "B", 1/4 ground razors respond best to stone "C", that sort of thing? Or, as you are working with any given razor, you start with the same stone and based on the feedback, switch to the stone that you know will fit the situation? Yes and No, I take say on average 6 razors a day and I use a dedicated bevel setter (mostly the Chosera 1k) and do all 6, that gives me a feel for the steel, then I decide which direction I am going to go based on that and previous expeirence ... Certain things I pretty much have proved to myself work well, I know that I get the most compliments on Sheffield steel from my customers if I finish using my Coticule maybe the stone maybe my technique, but I feel comfortable going that way... Send me a TI, Revisor, Wacker and many Customs and I am heading to the Naniwa SS's every single time because they get me the most compliments when honed that direction... I tend to go with what people have said over the years and razors even if my face doesn't always agree So yes there are certain brands/steels etc: that I think I know where I am going before I start

Thanks - Gags

Now for my personal razors that is a whole different story and really like everyone else it is just my opinion, but most all of them are finished one of 3 ways Shapton 30k, Escher, or Nakayama...

If a guy wants to buy a Coti – he’ll read and see only the good wording about them lol. If a guy wants to buy a set of synthetics, he’ll only read the good press and ignore the bad press. It’s human nature. Moreover it’s hilarious because when or if he discovers he doesn’t like it, he’ll start to “see” the bad press and he’ll be all “wow” why didn’t I see hat before lol!!

If you want a Coti – get one! They are great!! If you don’t, don’t! They have some serious drawbacks! But very much like mastering a razor – once you commit through thick and thin – you’ll discover no matter what you use there is compromise in everything, but when a Coti works… heaven!

That said, as a user and guy who loves his Coti, know they suck on eBay razors (I think) and I am convinced that some of my blades simply hate my Coti lol. Hence the “no matter what you use there is a compromise in everything...” Having both IS the solution lol!!

Well that's my $0.23. According to the inflation calculator that's what a .01 in 1913 was worth lol!!!! Inflation Calculator: Bureau of Labor Statistics

As usual coticle threads contain a lot of different views as does this one. Some posts, with their convoluted logic remind me of salesmen but deep inside I think they are trying to justify their purchase of a high priced hone to the world. If you are just starting out in your journey into honing I suggest you listen to GSSIXGUN'S advice as well as others suggesting in avoiding the coticule. In my many years on SRP I have found there are basically three groups of people that recommend gear. Group one is people that have used a bunch of similar gear and advise members to avoid or to use one product over another to save members money while enhancing their straight razor experiences and to avoid disappointment and frustration. Group two, people that have made something work for them w/ limited or no exposure to other gear. Group three, someone trying to sell something. Threads that contain controversial posts are usually between people in group one and people in group two or group three.

I have honed a lot of razors and used a lot of hones so here is my take with this experience. Do note that I consider honing a means to an end and while I enjoy honing my focus in on where the rubber meets the road, a shave ready edge. Most of the razors I hone are from antique shops, flea bay, garage sales, estate sales and so on. They are not new and most are not NOS so they've been kicking around for many years doing who know what and who knows where. I started honing on synthetic hones and settled on the Norton 4/8k hones before Naniwa hones were popular. After producing a good edge on many razors I got caught up in the coticule allure and purchased an 8x3. This enhanced the edge as a finisher and I was happy. I tried the 'one hone' method with it and was not satisfied with the amount of time it took and the guessing as to when to dilute and how much to dilute so I stopped playing around and just used it as a finisher. As time went on I found several more coticules in local shops for around a buck a piece in the 7 x 1 5/8's size. Each one was different in it's aggressiveness and I settled in on using one of the buck coticules as my finisher. Then I read about the C12k and for the price I had to have one. I was lucky and received one that performed very well and produced an edge that was better than the coticules I have. Then I came across an Escher at a local flea market that was thrown into my razor purchase for free! On some razors the Escher produced a better edge, on others the C12k did better and either one was sharper than the coticule. I still use a coticule because I have them and they do seem to 'tame' the edge a little bit. I use them between the 8k what ever synthetic hone and my finisher but never alone and never as the final hone. If you have a lot of disposable cash on hand and want to play or like the allure of the coticule get one for the experience. If you just want to get to where the rubber meets the road for the least out of pocket expense you can do a lot better.

Take this post as you like but I am in the group that has used a lot of hones, honed a lot of razors and am trying to save our members some cash while making their straight razor experience as rewarding as possible. Good luck and be sure to enjoy all of your straight razor quests!