I can't believe it...success with my Coticule (maybe)
I spent a few days at the beach. While I was there I shaved with a brand new straight that was professionally honed with a Coticule. It gave me some great shaves and I told myself "I've got to learn how to do this". So I got home today and dusted off my Coticule. I had terrible results the last time I used it but I know it works well because I sent it to mjsorkin in Feb of 2013. He sent back my Coticule and my straight razor and I was very pleased with the results.
I used a razor that was professionally honed, so I didn't set the bevel. About 2 weeks ago I honed it on a Naniwa SS 5k, I spent too much time on that stone. I then went to a Naniwa 8, 10 & 12k, the edge looked like a mirror, but it was too sharp for my taste. So I thought that it would be perfect to practice on, since I didn't like the edge. I ran the edge just once on a glass, to kill the edge. It wouldn't pass the HHT anymore.
Here is what I did differently:
I watched the Dilucot video from coticule.be
I lapped my Coticule with a Naniwa 12k
I used half strokes just like in the Dilucot video
I didn't use a spray bottle, just a few drops from my finger
I didn't make the slurry very thick
I held the coticule in my hand, like I do with my Swaty
I then went straight from the coticule to the HHT, no stropping, and it passed. I couldn't believe it, then I thought that maybe the Naniwa edge with still there. So I ran the straight razor on a glass 3 times to really makes sure the edge was dead. It wouldn't pass the HHT at all. This time it took 2 trips to the Coticule to get it to pass the HHT but eventually it did. The edge got better after 30 laps on linen and 60 on leather. I can't wait to shave with it tomorrow, it's the all important shave test. I'm sure it will be fine since it passed my HHT.
Here is what I think made the difference:
Somebody else set the bevel
Slurry not as thick
using half strokes
holding the coticule in my hand
I'll give the results of my shave tomorrow. If I don't get a good shave I'll throw the coticule in the lake!!! The Bass will have better use for it than me. LOL