Thread: Coticule help please

Originally Posted by PipefitterJohn

I think I will turn off panic mode and just hold off on a new hone for a bit and work with my coticules.

There's been a lot of good feeback, but I think this is the best piece of advice of all so far - and you've given it to yourself. Here's WHY I think it's the best advice so far:

The very first thing you said in your opening post was "I'm new to straight shaving and to honing." Then, just a few lines later you stated you seem to be getting decent edges and decent shaves, 'but don't have anything to compare to except my Dovo when it was new'

In essence, you're aiming for a goal (HHT) with...

• no honing experience...
• on a type of hone that is absolutely wonderful but can be one of the most time-consuming to learn...
• AND, you're trying to do it without any real baseline/foundation to work from. i.e. you've only experienced one 'shave-ready' edge from one person

I'm not saying the apothecary can't put a good edge on a razor. But while his may not be a bad edge, it may not be a great edge either...

My advice would be to:

1. Stick to your decision to 'turn off panic mode and keep the coticule for now'
2. As long as it seems to have a decent edge on it, use your Dovo as your regular shaver
3. Take $35 or $45 of the money you just 'saved' (by not jumping to the conclusion that you have to buy more hones) and pick up a cheap shave ready razor (or TWO) from the classifieds or someplace like Whipped Dog - i.e. from someone known on the forums as being a bit of a honemeister - and experience a second 'shave ready' edge so that you'll have a clearer, more defined goal of what a shave-ready edge can be
4. Use that cheap razor as your practice blade for learning how to release the full and magical potential of your coticule

If you give yourself a stronger, wider foundation to stand on when you take aim at your honing goal, you'll stand a much better chance of not only hitting it, but also recognizing that you've hit it.

Just my humble two cent, hope it helps...

Best of luck - keep at it and your efforts will definitely pay off.