Thread: How I Hone on Coticules & BBWS!

IIRC Bart had a good quote for this: "Repeat after me - I will not be afraid of water". +1 on your results of using more water. I think the original 'dipping the little finger in a glass of water' was supposed to give 3 drops. Consistent dilution should give you consistent results, whatever they may be, so you can adjust as necessary.
For finishing, from my experience some stones require a very light touch, others you can use quite a bit of pressure and still get a nice edge. The type of steel mixes things up too. I use the one stone hone for the early razors, but synthetics for mid to late wedge razors and then just do a few finishing strokes on the coti.
I find a coti will only make a razor so sharp, so if you like a really sharp edge it's better to use synthetics above 8k then come back to the coti for the smoothness.
What kind of razors are you honing?

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

IIRC Bart had a good quote for this: "Repeat after me - I will not be afraid of water". +1 on your results of using more water. I think the original 'dipping the little finger in a glass of water' was supposed to give 3 drops. Consistent dilution should give you consistent results, whatever they may be, so you can adjust as necessary.
For finishing, from my experience some stones require a very light touch, others you can use quite a bit of pressure and still get a nice edge. The type of steel mixes things up too. I use the one stone hone for the early razors, but synthetics for mid to late wedge razors and then just do a few finishing strokes on the coti.
I find a coti will only make a razor so sharp, so if you like a really sharp edge it's better to use synthetics above 8k then come back to the coti for the smoothness.
What kind of razors are you honing?

I don't hone as much as most members here, just whatever I can find on ebay.

I have a full hollow carbon "Adoration deluxe" coming in the mail saturday, I think saturday. I do enjoy setting the bevel on something else before a coticule, But I've done only coti too now that I know how to use it.

My last fantastic coti edge was a Dovo Silver Steel 5/8. The balance was horrible but the blade did take an excellent edge.

A dedicated bevel setter will make life much easier. I find that after a proper bevel set it does not take that much to finish. For me I like to get the job done with the fewest number of strokes. I never count while honing and mix different type of strokes in to break it up. I let the razor dictate the number of strokes. Glad you figured it out.

Originally Posted by Hacker7

A dedicated bevel setter will make life much easier. I find that after a proper bevel set it does not take that much to finish. For me I like to get the job done with the fewest number of strokes. I never count while honing and mix different type of strokes in to break it up. I let the razor dictate the number of strokes. Glad you figured it out.

Thanks Hacker! Feels good!

I'm on the hunt now for a good bevel setter. I hope thuris don't distract me!

I'm getting much, much better edges now. I don't count sets at all. Towards the edge, on water, I have a feeling i'm just going to treat that thing like a black arkie and go for broke. See what happens ya know?

Get the bevel setter first. Get the Naniwa 1k you won't be disappointed. After that Keep your eye out for a vintage Thuringian. I find better prices in the summer. I stop selling razors in May and will start again in September. You don't need a labeled Escher to get a good edge. Don't be afraid to make a reasonable offer on a buy it now on the bay. If there is no make an offer option contact the seller I have gotten a few razors and hones for half of what they wanted. Just be persistent and patient and you will get one at your price. Half the fun is in the chase anyway.