Thread: The Unicot Method

I have tried 4 coticules so far, I couldn't say I love any of them. The only one that I really like as a finisher is a tiny broken off sliver about 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 that someone sent me, an old natural combo that brings an edge to an almost full polish. If I had a whole stone of that type, I'd probably dump my other stones, maybe all of them. The odds that I'll ever find a full sized stone that good that has that creamy feel and brings a super bright polish...probably not very good.

I can shave off of any of them, though. I do have one of the lagrise natural combos that zib mentioned not liking. it is an OK stone, but it doesn't feel like you'd expect a coticule to feel (which is to me either creamy or crunchy/gritty). I'd stick with the veins that people who like coticules like, piggyback off of what they've spent their time finding out and don't be afraid to spend a few extra dollars to try something that's known good.

If you want a sure thing with a natural stone, buy a japanese stone about 6x3 inches and one level away from the hardest stones. They will give you the option of going clear and slurry, be a comfortable shave, be cheaper than an equivalently sizezd coticule and leave a finer edge.

I'll echo the comments above that there's no great need other than curiosity to try to get a finishing stone to do the work that a coarser grinding stone should do. That's activity for the impoverished with hours of time and no money at all. Even a $25 red king 1000 will do a far far far superior job in setting a bevel. A hard arkansas is another option, one that can be had really cheaply and will stay flat for a long time.

Originally Posted by Disburden

Even worse we now are told that all coticules can hone a razor no problem and give you a super fine edge...this just isn't true IMO.

I'll echo this. Every one I've gotten, even the lagrise, will make an edge I can shave with. But they are not super fine super keen edges. If you want that, you either find a super finisher that really needs to find an awfully sharp edge (and good luck getting someone to sell you that, because you're a lot more likely to get stones people *don't* really want).

Every hard japanese stone I've tried that isn't scratchy will make a super fine edge. I thought they escher made a good edge, somewhere between the coticules japanese stones in keenness (though I did expect more).

What I gather from using the coticule, though (at least the ones I've tried) is that an edge straight off the stone and right to leather may not wow you with keenness, but despite feeling half sharp and half dull (if you are used to fine syhthetics followed by a loaded strop), it always pleases with its ability to avoid causing razor burn.

Check that on some of my comments above. A coticule just arrived in the mail today, and it is finally what I was looking for in a coti - something that's probably somewhat rare. It brings a bevel to a bright polish and is hard and firm.

I'm pretty sure I'd never push it to be a jack of all trades, but it is the first coti I've gotten my hands on that I'd call a final finisher, at least from what I've seen so far.

Originally Posted by mainaman

that is the first delusion of the hobby

You have to experience other hones to know the answer to that question. For me there is further to go than coticule.
I know some people claim they got the 15k -alike edge on their coticule but those are some vintage very rare and expensive coticules, most of that I have seen so far from people that have used more coticules than I have seen is they vary so much it's a bit like playing the lottery to get a good one from the first try. I find the coticule very attractive stone but I also like functionality and that comes from other stones for me at this point.

In a year or so he will find that it is wishfull thinking that you can choose a method and follow through with it and be compleatly satisfied. I find that I change my mind every day or hour.

Shoot,I started this thread and I've already changed my mind.

Originally Posted by stingray

In a year or so he will find that it is wishfull thinking that you can choose a method and follow through with it and be compleatly satisfied. I find that I change my mind every day or hour.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

I have to note that we're talking about naturals and grit ratings again. At the end of the day you CAN shave off a coticule. Actually I've heard of people attempting to shave off of a 1k synthetic. Whilst it wasn't comfortable it can be done.

If you find a coticule and you get a shave that feels comfortable to you then great! If and when you have more funds to spend on different stones to experiment then go for it! I went the Welsh slate route because of the affordability and the size of the stone and am having great results from them.

From what I've read, the advice here is great. The yellow or pinkish hues seem to, from reading and experimenting with a yellowish one, give a nice smooth edge and have heard as well to stay away from the greenish ones. I guess the reasoning behind that is that it's got the lower grade blue particles mixed in with the yellow higher grade particles. Feel free to correct me if I'm way out in left field here.

I have one that "turned green" I figured it was oxidation. still workes well but I do have one or two that seem to work better.

Originally Posted by WW243

Shoot,I started this thread and I've already changed my mind.

Yeah...we kinda' hijacked your thread but lots of good info.

I agree about the good info! Seriously, I have read all the posts at least 3 times and expect I will read them again.

Originally Posted by stingray

Yeah...we kinda' hijacked your thread but lots of good info.

Originally Posted by WW243

I agree about the good info! Seriously, I have read all the posts at least 3 times and expect I will read them again.

Well...I guess you are glad you joined... YOu are going to find that these are some of the most laid back, dedicated and helpful guys you will ever find. I learned everything I know about razors and hones etc. attending class at SRP. When you have a question about something use the search and It will show thread after thread from years ago and also more recent. Enjoy your stay

Originally Posted by Disburden

1). La veinette: usually a natural combination stone, fast on slurry but little slurry dulling effects, slow on water, a great razor layer, high premium pricing.
2). La petite Blanche: fast on slurry and usually pretty fast on water. Slurry can dull an edge some depending on the stone, still another high sort after razor honing layer and high premium pricing from the mine.
3). La grise: usually a slower stone and IMO not as fine of a layer. Newly mined ones are very soft and can chip and erode on the corners of the stone. Not something I would want for razor honing.
4).la nouvelle veine, comes in two sides. One side is extremely fast I slurry but dulls the edge and very slow in water, a great finishing stone. The other side is slow on slurry and on water and is usually a natural BBw/coticule combo.
5) la dress ante is a layer that can vary a lot, most I have used are Great all around hones but can lack in the finishing fineness department.
6). la Verte: The green coticule, pretty hard and very slow. Usually grey-green in color. Finishing is fine with this layer but a lot of them have inclusions in the stone, so I wouldn't buy them.

These assessments are right on. For instance, If I use my Coticules to hone a razor, I start with a Dressante, and finish with La Nouvellle. Heres' some pics of the two stones...