Thread: Question About Finishing with Coticule and Taping

It isn't an exact science, and the numbers are just a way of placing the edge somewhere on a spectrum. Admittedly, numbers can mean different things to different people, just like how it shaves on ones face. Next time I should just use an adjective like "awesome" instead of HHT4.

The shave test is the best way to determine if it shave ready or not. I've tried the HHT and ummm....do not work for me. I'm still a noob when it comes to honing..... Practice and paying attention to the detail of the blade.

I started taping with GE, # 18160 3/4" x 60 ft rolls and have continued with that for consistency. Interestingly, it has never left a stain or edge line or anything even after being left on for an extended time.

From time to time i do get a tiny air bubble that I can't live with if its on the spine, usually just pulling back and re-setting will clear it- otherwise I start over. My first roll I realized that even in a desk drawer would attract dust particles on the edges that felt like boulders under the tape when on the razor. Now I keep tape in an airtight plastic tub.

Originally Posted by Badgister

It isn't an exact science, and the numbers are just a way of placing the edge somewhere on a spectrum. Admittedly, numbers can mean different things to different people, just like how it shaves on ones face. Next time I should just use an adjective like "awesome" instead of HHT4.

I'm going to rate that comment a "4!"

Not to get off the subject a little but I got a little birthday cash to burn and was wondering. I have been quite slow to expand my meager collection of hones and jump into things like Coticules. My curiosity about these stones peaks and wanes on hearing so many conflicting experiences related to how these stones perform. At the moment I have settled into just using Japanese synthetics to do all the grunt work and finishing on my one and only B/G Thuri with happy results. What should I expect from a Coticule, will it change my life or is it more of the same or worse? As far the comments about HHT of course its not universal but it can be a personal way to judge an edge in your own realm of observations. I dont use HHT to judge my own blades but I do find that tree topping my arm hair is a good indicator that my shave will be fine of course this is not necessarily transferable to another user.

I'm sorry to say that it will not change your life. Your edge will be a little different from your Thuringian, but it might not even be enough for you to be able to tell the difference.

Originally Posted by KenG

I started taping with GE, # 18160 3/4" x 60 ft rolls and have continued with that for consistency. Interestingly, it has never left a stain or edge line or anything even after being left on for an extended time.

From time to time i do get a tiny air bubble that I can't live with if its on the spine, usually just pulling back and re-setting will clear it- otherwise I start over. My first roll I realized that even in a desk drawer would attract dust particles on the edges that felt like boulders under the tape when on the razor. Now I keep tape in an airtight plastic tub.

This may be of interest- I kept thinking about the tape staining issue and remembered my most stainable blade, an ESC 44/20 manganese steel has had the GE tape on it 2 weeks min. Last night I dug it out and peeled off the tape and no line, no stain, nothing. This blade is the kind that gets water spots that don't come off easily if you are careless with drying after the shave.

Could it be that the GE tape adhesive has low/no acid or whatever is the problem with other tapes ? I have had it on Sheffield, Solingen and American steel.

Originally Posted by KenG

Could it be that the GE tape adhesive has low/no acid or whatever is the problem with other tapes ? I have had it on Sheffield, Solingen and American steel.

If you tried the same with other tapes on the same razor under the same conditions you might be onto something. I feel it has to do with water being caught under the edge of the tape due to capillary action, though. But you never know.

Originally Posted by JP5

Hi,

I've been trying to hone a couple of blades myself, now that I have some professionally honed edges to compare to. I have a couple of questions though.


I honed a Greaves near wedge on a King 1K/6K combo stone. After using the 6k, the bevel looked close to a mirror finish. When I finished on my coticule though, it actually looked duller. Is this normal or am I not doing it right?





TAPING
Exactly what type of tape do you use?
I used electrical tape and it leaves lines/stains on blade that won't come off. I tried Goof Off and Flitz and it still wouldn't come off, so I guess I'll have to use steel wool. This may be because it was really cheap.
I was going to get some 3M electrical at WM, but all they had was Duck brand. I used it and it started coming apart on the stone REALLY quickly. Would 3M be better, or do I need to be using a different type of tape?


Thanks

Try Acetone, if it can clean polyurethane resin up, it'll for sure take off easy tape stickum marks

Originally Posted by Badgister

Jake,
I have found that if I do not achieve HHT4 after stropping, going back to the coticule for a few more light strokes followed by another round of stropping will get it there (without tape)

~~~that works for me too

BTW, I wasn't ignoring this thread and or your reply to me, I wasn't getting notifications so I didn't realize there were any replies, speaking of which-

in regards to the dissent on the effectiveness using HHT. More power to the dissenters. If it doesn't work nor make sense for some, that's fine with me but I don't see any purpose in ridiculing it for those that get results using it

I don't care for shaving off synthetic hones, yet others do and I don't derive any pleasure throwing rocks at them