how do you use the coticule

[Bruno]

Each time I use the coticule after the 8K, the HHT fails afterwards.
Just to get some reference:

- do use raise a slurry? a lot?
- how many laps do you do?

My coticule is lapped flat and has rounded corners, so I'm fairly certain that it's not the stone itself.

[dylandog]

Each time I use the coticule after the 8K, the HHT fails afterwards.

Is it passing the HHT before you use the coticule? How does it shave? Some people's hair doesn't reliably pass the HHT...

[Bruno]

It passes the HHT along the full length of the blade without effort.
10 very light laps on a properly lapped coticule and the hair refuses to split.

It really puzzles me. I am hoping one of the honemeisters chimes in to enlighten me.

[trapperjohnme]

I had the same problem. I concluded that my particular coticule was to course. Seems a lot of the newer ones are not as fine grained as the vintage coticules.

[Bruno]

I had the same problem. I concluded that my particular coticule was to course. Seems a lot of the newer ones are not as fine grained as the vintage coticules.

Considering that you can pass the HHT coming off the 4K side of the Norton, I don't think that my coticule is that course.

But that's 3 of us already with this problem. Interesting.

I am going to do a little expriment tonight.
I'll bring the razor back to HHT on the norton and then use the coticule but without slurry.

I'll have a test shave and then repeat that but with a red pasted paddle strop after the norton.

I really hope that one of the meisters here can tell me what I am doing wrong.

[LX_Emergency]

I do lots of stropping after the coticule....before stropping it doesn't ever pass the HHT. It's an anomaly from what I understand but since the result is always good in the end I don't care.

[Yannis]

I have the same problem and I dont know why this happens!!!!!

[Howard]

Spritz water on your coticule and raise a milky slurry. The belgians call it an "abrasive milk" and it should be the consistency of milk. Things to consider. First, I don't overly rely on the HHT as it is an inconsistent test. The important thing is, does the razor shave your face well? Second, no one can tell you how many laps to do. You have to "feel" that with the razor. Suspend your thinking and feel it with your fingers and hands. It's a Jedi thing. Third, the stone is not the problem although the razor may be! I've seen far more inconsistency in razor steels and heat treatments than I have in coticules and I've seen and worked with A LOT of coticules. I know guys who use certain stones with certain razors and not with others. I'm not talking about the gross disparities between say a Pakistani razor and a Double Duck but more about the fine differences between a Dovo and a TI. You have to experiment and find out for yourself. Don't worry that you can't do it. You can. You were born to this. Your brothers have been honing steel for 5,000 years and you are the end product of this evolution.

[heliguy]

Don't worry that you can't do it. You can. You were born to this. Your brothers have been honing steel for 5,000 years and you are the end product of this evolution.

Well said

[majurey]

I don't think it has been raised yet, but could it be that your coticule's not flat, Bruno? (And so it affects the honing.)

I was shocked at how 'unflat' (ok X, I'm expecting some grammar punishment for that one!) my coticule was when I got it. I didn't do my research properly and got straight to it with my Dovo. Next thing I know I managed to dull it.

When I got my Norton flattening stone I did the whole grid thing on my coticule. Took some time doing too because the stone had such a curve on it. As soon as it was done I could tell the difference.