Thread: Why A Coticule?

I've seen a bunch of videos with whetstones, particularly Norton 4k/8k but I've also seen a few shaving on coticules. I read a little about where they're from and how they're made but I don't know much about what their benefit is over whetstones or why they are so expensive.

They are relatively expensive to mine from what I have read. I love the mellow edges I get off them. I can't say they are better or worse than a synthetic because I have never shaved off of one. I think the edges are very skin friendly though and I just really like the appeal of it being a natural stone too.

I always say the same thing anymore "Synthetics are an exact science, Natural stones are a Romance"

Either gets you to a shaving edge anything else after that all depends on your face, your beard, your hands, and the razor... Basically YMMV

Coticules gained in popularity because of their "Old" price two years ago a 8x3 Select grade was running less than $200 now they are not such a hot buy...

Yeah that's a dream these days for a 8x3. They are 2 1/2 times as much now. Wish I had 5 or 6 of them now. Lol

Definitely jealous of the 2010 pricing then, 8x3" seem to be ultra expensive, any grade.

I have several coticules, I love em all. I have synthetics, Norton, Naniwa SS's and a 1k Chosera, I love those too. The coticules give me a nice edge most of the time. The synthetics give me a nice edge pretty much all of the time. If I had too make a choice , hmmm, probably go with the synthetics, or maybe not. Ah hell, I'd just send my razors out to Glen or Lynn or one of the other experts and get a fantastic edge every time! Glad I was here to help!

Thanks for clearing that up guys. I guess from the pricing I thought that they would be far superior to the synthetics but I'm glad they're not because I can hardly afford a Norton 4k/8k.

Glen's right....

With synthetics, be it Norton, Naniwa, whatever.....there is a consistency in the edges and that process is repeatable. Even between the two sets I've mentioned, the process is not too far off.

The naturals, they require you to love them. It's like trying to get a six year old to do something they don't want to do....you have to try a variety of ways before the end result is fantastic. And because no two stones are exactly alike, the process may well have to be altered on your next stone to produce the same result from your former one.

If you're learning to hone, I would suggest a set of synthetics. That way, you can read a whack load of literature from here or elsewhere on peoples experiences. Yours will be similar.

Coti's are expensive because 1) I think they're beautiful to hone one....and 2) that led to a bunch of people wanting them, which shot up the price.

I like what Glen (sixgun) said about 'romance.' These stones have been used for hundreds of years to sharpen and finish razors. The old barbers I knew in NJ, back in the 1980s, all used them. That was my introduction to the "soap stone" as they called it. They would use the lather from their hot lather machines rather than the water/slurry we are familiar with today. I also agree that the edge is 'friendly' to sensitive skin ..... if you know what you're doing. I like the eschers better but I definitely go to my coticules when I am in the mood. Another arrow in the quiver.

Just my opinion, but an 8x3 is obscenely large for a coticule. Unnecessarily large. Sure I guess it'd be nice to have a rock that big, but it's by no means necessary.

Look on ebay at "vintage" coticules. You'll see very few that are this big. Most you'll come across are around 7 inches long and probably less than a full 2 inches wide. Barbers used these. People who sharpened their own razors use[d] these. It might take some getting used to, but it's not prohibitive. You ought to be able to get one like this for around a hundred bucks. I have a coticule this size, my first one, and it alone replaced my Norton 4k, 8k, and a finisher. So, in that regard, it can be an economical option.

Plus, you have the benefit of not needing to lap it all the time, and not needing to soak it. In that sense it mitigates some of the headaches caused by its being an unpredictable natural stone. YMMV.

I'm just trying to say that the fact that an 8x3 is expensive (which is most certainly is) should not itself be a barrier.