Thread: The Unicot Method

I am new to straight razor shaving and recently moved from viewer to member of this terrific forum. I'm sure the answer to this question is in the forum somewhere but at times I deal with just a touch of ADD, not diagnosed, just, man, I need the answer to this question now!
So if anyone can assist: I am fascinated on multiple levels with the Unicot method of honing. I know this is where I will begin and where I am hoping I will end. I enjoy reading about the other methods, the fantastic natural stones from around the world, and the amazing synthetics. But, a single stone from a revered mine this is what has snagged me...the question is, would there be one coticule better for this task than others?

Thanks

I have very limited knowledge of natural stones but there are some great websites out there that are sure to answer all your questions.

http://www.coticule.be/unicot.html

Every natural stones is different and depending on where it was mined will have some similar and some different properties to it. Looks like it's time to go buy a stone and get to playing around on it! Once you find one that hones the blade to YOUR comfort you'll be a happy camper.

Originally Posted by WW243

the question is, would there be one coticule better for this task than others?

Thanks

Yes definitely. The problem is finding which one. That might require time, money, and or luck. Might be the first one you ever get. If you get a good one and you're satisfied with it don't chase after a better one and you'll save time and money. OTOH, if you don't get one that satisfies you, you'll just have to keep looking till you do. Here are some that belong to a friend of mine that is looking for the "right" one.

Well, luckily I am already considered slightly mad so no one thinks anything of me laughing out loud at a stack of rocks at work. Pretty funny, thanks.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yes definitely. The problem is finding which one. That might require time, money, and or luck. Might be the first one you ever get. If you get a good one and you're satisfied with it don't chase after a better one and you'll save time and money. OTOH, if you don't get one that satisfies you, you'll just have to keep looking till you do. Here are some that belong to a friend of mine that is looking for the "right" one.

Been there, Done that. What Jimmy's saying is true. Some guys get lucky, or claim they get lucky out of the gate, and get a good Coticule.
Other's buy, and buy and buy much to the delight of seller's. Years ago, we had a few good one's out there, that took care of you, now we have
the Mega mart Coticule seller's. You used to contact a guy, like Howard at the perfect edge, and he sent you a selected grade Coticule, period.

You can go to sites, look at hundreds and hundreds of pics of Coticules, and get confused. I was taught a long time ago, "Never give people more than 3 choices" it's hard for them to make up their minds. Some people love this, to the new guy it's daunting.

Good veins to look for are Dressante, La petite blance, Grosse blance, and some like this hybrid Les Latneuse? Not sure about the last one. This is all subjective too, because they're are differences in the veins. I might get a fast La petite, and you could get a slow one....

There's a Coti on the classifieds right now for 60.00, for that price, you can't go wrong....

Veins I don't like, La Grise, Here's some eye candy, and that's not all of them. Which one do I like, Top pic, Forth from the left, it's a Dressante. To me, it's a good all around stone.

I have owned 21 different coticules.
I really really liked three of them.
Seventeen were ok.
One was junk, IMO.

I'm a little light headed now. The mystery deepens as things become more clear. I really like looking at pics of these rocks. Thank you. Thank-you a lot!

Can anyone work out the odds?

Thanks!

If you forget the "Coticule from Bevel set" thought and add a very cheap easy to use Synthetic 1k to your thoughts life will get much easier...

Using the Coti at that level is quaint, sorta like a J-nat and using all the TomoNagura but most don't do that any longer, get a good solid bevel set and you can actually shave at that level, then all ya gotta do is smooth it up for your face Much much easier to do that

I think I have read someplace that getting the bevel set correctly is 90% of honing

Originally Posted by WW243

So if anyone can assist: I am fascinated on multiple levels with the Unicot method of honing. I know this is where I will begin and where I am hoping I will end.

that is the first delusion of the hobby

I enjoy reading about the other methods, the fantastic natural stones from around the world, and the amazing synthetics. But, a single stone from a revered mine this is what has snagged me...the question is, would there be one coticule better for this task than others?

Thanks

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.