Thread: 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

If you don't have a good shave just give yourself a wee rest. My grandfather always said "It is a poor tradesman that blames his tools". I do also realize that not all cotis are created equal though. Many people here have gone through many before they found one that they could get along with.

during a dulicut progression on my coticule I only use half strokes (and sometime circles)

but now I do finish with a serie of X-strokes on water in order to make sure I don't have a wire edge which happened to me a few times I gues as a result from slow dilution in combination with half strokes.

I hope you will start enjoying your coticule

by the way, I have never been able to pass a hanging hair test comming straight from the coticule I always had to strop on plain leather first

I use this method but have abandoned half strokes for circles, big circles.
If you dulled the edge on glass, then it was you that set the bevel on that occasion?
cotis generally give up a smooth edge but maybe not uber keen (depends a lot on your rock).
Cotis are not the easiest hone to use but great fun learning.

Would you use a finishing stone after using the Coti?

For instance could you or would you then go to a Nani 12k or an Escher for a finish?

Originally Posted by Phrank

Would you use a finishing stone after using the Coti?

For instance could you or would you then go to a Nani 12k or an Escher for a finish?

For me not always, depends what edge I'm in the mood for. Someone described a coticule edge as delightfully dull and I like that description, You have to spend some time with it to know what all the fuss is about.
If I feel like a JNAT edge I will get a good coticule edge first before finishing on my Ozuku. Personally I don't like the nani 12k but all this stuff is pure preference.

Joe

delightfully dull might just be spot on, it's just realy soft on the skin but still shaves the beard

@Phrank, I consider my coti a finishing hone but if you go further to an escher I think it doesn't realy matter if you are comming from a coti or a SS 10K or something like that

The shave I had with my Coticule edge was...ok. I feel like the edge was almost there. It wasn't as good as the professionally honed coticule edge but it was good enough to make me stick with the Coticule. I'll keep practicing but I find it's a hit or miss sort of thing for me right now. Last night I tried honing it again on my coticule but I used more pressure. The edge was duller in the middle than on the toe or heel. Too much pressure I guess. I'll try it again tonight with less pressure.

Are you using a slurry now?

Did you dilute to clear water? You said you watched the Dilucot video, but is that what you did?

Have you looked at the edge, did it come together? Your bevels may be flat, but the edge is not set, meeting completely.

Go back to a light slurry and set the bevel, then dilute to clear water with very light pressure and x stroke laps.

Slurry, itself can be an art form. It’s not always as easy as slapping a DMT on the stone and doing some laps. First the edge has to come together, then the slurry has to polish the bevel, without dulling the edge.