Thread: Razor Sharpened on Coticule Not Sharp Enough

Once you learn your coticule it will reward you with edges that melt the stubble away, I set bevels on chosera 1k then dilucot on coti just spend time on learning one coti and as Jpcwon says experiment with the finishing techniques......providing that the bevel is well set thats where your rewards will be.

Mark

Originally Posted by markodams

Once you learn your coticule it will reward you with edges that melt the stubble away, I set bevels on chosera 1k then dilucot on coti just spend time on learning one coti and as Jpcwon says experiment with the finishing techniques......providing that the bevel is well set thats where your rewards will be.

Mark

Indeed, it really is all about the bevel, and then finishing it off
That took me a long time to realize...
but it seems that everything you learn is always hard and difficult in the beginning,
until you learn it, then its "easy"
I do think the coticule seems like an easy stone to learn, but it isn't (most off the time)...

Just try, try, try... if it becomes difficult, set aside and later on try again...

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.

Originally Posted by Laurens

I'm in the same boat: I tried two coticules and have never managed to get a properly sharp edge from them. Red DOVO paste made a big difference. Currently, I have one old barber's coticule that I hope to use as a finisher, so far with little luck.

If Dovos info is anything to go by, the red paste at best is equivalent to around an 8k hone, maybe a bit higher (between 8k and 9k) which puts your coti at the same sort of level of a hone somewhat under 8k.

You can get an acceptable edge in this range, but nothing remarkable in my experience.

I have had somewhere between 30 and 50 cotis, but have only kept one, an extremely hard one. This is the only type that delivers an outstanding edge, as far as I am concerned.

Your opinion may well differ, but most of the mystique concerning cotis is just mumbo-jumbo. They are just a stone, no magic qualities. Smooth is just another word for not fully sharp, in my mind.

Regards,
Neil

I've noticed I get great cutting edges on my Wade&Butchers with a coti, or any Sheffield razor. When I have finished on a 12k Naniwa the edge seems a little off and not as sharp. But when it comes to all my customs I finish on my 12k Naniwa with great buttery smooth edges.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

If Dovos info is anything to go by, the red paste at best is equivalent to around an 8k hone, maybe a bit higher (between 8k and 9k) which puts your coti at the same sort of level of a hone somewhat under 8k.

You can get an acceptable edge in this range, but nothing remarkable in my experience.

I have had somewhere between 30 and 50 cotis, but have only kept one, an extremely hard one. This is the only type that delivers an outstanding edge, as far as I am concerned.

Your opinion may well differ, but most of the mystique concerning cotis is just mumbo-jumbo. They are just a stone, no magic qualities. Smooth is just another word for not fully sharp, in my mind.

Regards,
Neil

Yes - I've taken fairly dull, still with a bevel however, to shave ready using my felt pasted 3 balsa boards. I've gone from Dovo Green,to the Dovo Red, then onto the CroX, then linen, then the strop, and the results have been great.

I've also had even better results by doing about 20 laps on the coticule after the Dovo Red and before the CroX....just remember to make sure the blade is very clean before moving between the different pastes and absolutely before coming near your strop.

Originally Posted by Lonerider

Do not mean to start anything. But I've bought from two different places that use natural stones. And I've had to start from scratch every time. I tried to make myself think they were sharp enough but after a few days a scrapping I couldn't take them anymore.

+1 to this. My first razor (dovo best) not too long ago I bought which was finished on a coti. It felt dull and pulled but I tried to 'shave on' thinking it was my technique (which It could have been). I just ended up re-setting the bevel on it too with great results (for now anyway)