Thread: For guys who have a hard time getting a good coticule edge

That is a good looking hone Oz, can you give us an idea of the process? As I said, I have slower stones and need to spend a bit of time to get the better edge. But I would love to know how to get the edge that keen. I reckon it's 8k or slightly better that I get. Shave is fine, but a 12k edge is excellent, I envy you that lovely rock. bob

Originally Posted by bobski

That is a good looking hone Oz, can you give us an idea of the process? As I said, I have slower stones and need to spend a bit of time to get the better edge. But I would love to know how to get the edge that keen. I reckon it's 8k or slightly better that I get. Shave is fine, but a 12k edge is excellent, I envy you that lovely rock. bob

Well if you have slower stones, then, what I do with my stone is irrelevant but here goes:
I create a good synthetic edge 8k 0r 12k then do 3-5 strokes on water on my coticule, a la barber hone. Repeat 3-5 strokes till edge tests acceptably.

I have finer stones that I prefer to shave off so I don't use the coticule much these days.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I have finer stones that I prefer to shave off so I don't use the coticule much these days.

I would like to get an overview on what stones are used for what.

Originally Posted by Rami

I would like to get an overview on what stones are used for what.

We tend to get caught up with some coticules, trying to assign a 'grit rating' to them. I think sticking to normal common sense indicators, is the way to deal with it. ie; If a stone (Coti) is taking a lot of metal off in a very short time, it stands to reason, that you won't keep going beyond that 12 strokes, meaning it is used as Oz has used his, or it then commands a place, prior to a finishing coticule. If we follow etiquette, the finished edge from the coticule, is achieved by patience and numerous strokes, dilution of any slurries to water . So seeing the need for say 100 strokes to finish, you would not be wanting fast cutting power, you want to gently polish and refine, say a 5k synthetic edge. So for my use, I like the slower fine stones that give me a polished edge, which in reality is about 8k.

Originally Posted by Rami

I would like to get an overview on what stones are used for what.

Well if I wanted to just use coticules. I wouldn't use my LV for edge repair. It is only fast for its fineness & that does not necessarily make it a bevel setter. I would be forever doing something like chip removal.. I have a coarser "soft & fast" coti & even a BBW that will set bevels quickly-ish. There is no way I would bother to shave off those 2 tho. Been there tried that.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Well if I wanted to just use coticules. I wouldn't use my LV for edge repair. It is only fast for its fineness & that does not necessarily make it a bevel setter. I would be forever doing something like chip removal.. I have a coarser "soft & fast" coti & even a BBW that will set bevels quickly-ish. There is no way I would bother to shave off those 2 tho. Been there tried that.

Yes while I'll agree not all coticules excel at finishing most can be coaxed into a comfortable shaving edge.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Well if I wanted to just use coticules. I wouldn't use my LV for edge repair. It is only fast for its fineness & that does not necessarily make it a bevel setter. I would be forever doing something like chip removal.. I have a coarser "soft & fast" coti & even a BBW that will set bevels quickly-ish. There is no way I would bother to shave off those 2 tho. Been there tried that.

I actually meant in general.

For example if you have 2 same grit finishers. A jnat and Coti. In what circumstances will you use what

Originally Posted by Rami

I actually meant in general.

For example if you have 2 same grit finishers. A jnat and Coti. In what circumstances will you use what

Like the Old El Paso ad. "Porque non los dos ?"

Hard to be the same grit tho. Different X'tal structures.

Originally Posted by bobski

The SG20, does leave swarf after 12 or so strokes. But the difference here is that you ONLY do 12 laps on it. I can only imagine, you do more than 12 strokes with your coticule?

Number of laps depends on the razor and progression, but usually not too many laps, that's why it doesn't bother me to scrub/rinse the stone during honing - I only need to do it a few times. To be honest though, I prefer an Ark or JNat edge most of the time - but now and again I get an itch to use a coticule, lol.

Know how you feel gentlemen, I have 2 BMW's and a Mercedes in the garage, but I don't use them much, I prefer the 2nd hand Nissan. Have a laugh guys....it's meant to be fun....