Thread: Razor Sharpened on Coticule Not Sharp Enough

I've had a dressante coticule for nearly 4 years and only in the last year have I had consistent edges that meet my requirements.


As a couple of members know I've been experimenting with this hone far too much.
I would someties hone for an hour with a slurry I would water down until it was black and finish on water with rough dull edges at the beginning...
But I realised the metal swarf would cause dulling and rough edges so I changed the orthodox method to refresh the slurry and use the slurry in 3cm lengths doing halfstrokes for the whole length of the coticule each side.
After 10 minutes I can set a bevel and finish with a very soft edge that will cut my very coarse beard easily.

its all about how you use the stone.

regards Alex

Not sure what it is about a coticule shave. You're right with that they don't seem sharp enough. They edge doesn't really bite into the thumb pad, or pass the the hht5 with flying colors, i usually get a 3 or a rare 4. A 5 after the strop session. But the not so sharp edge has been the best shaves so far. I've tried a few other hones, but have always gone back to the coticules. Does anyone have any input as to why the coticule gives such a skin friendly shave? I have a thick beard but very sensitive skin. Think the binder? The garnets garnets shape maybe?

The stone has limitations on how refined an edge can be, although for coti users that's a good thing. Im sure theres more to it though and someone with more knowledge will chime in.

Originally Posted by bill3152

The stone has limitations on how refined an edge can be, although for coti users that's a good thing. Im sure theres more to it though and someone with more knowledge will chime in.

Remember, there is a wide variation in coticule quality. When I got mine many years ago it was my finisher after the Norton 8K and I was very pleased with the result. Only after I got my escher did I improve on the coticule.