Coticule sharpness and why not every coticule is a razor finisher.

I've had a couple of ATS-34, and still have a couple of S30V, that need a diamond plate for bevel set, and a synthetic progression to get shave ready. At least at my house that is what they need. YMMV.

Old barber (70) cutting hair for 50 years, Frank Natale. Told me in 1980s that he liked a soft coticule that he could score with his thumb nail. So of course I've tried this with every coticule I've ever had. There is just something about coticules. If I wrote a book about them it would be the 'romance' of the coticule. :)

The most common problem with coticules and there new owners? Is they just lack that little bit or so keeness. You can do a thousand laps on water and still no joy. This is what frustrates and makes you wonder why there is no improvement . I,ve stopped trying to master any and every coticule I lay my hands on, I simply don't have the time, I have to Belgium coticules that give me consistant results so I have no need to master any more coticules, not that I would.

I have tried and tested a thew newer coticules and to be onest there not for me . I tend to recommend the naniwas to any one wanting to learn to hone, I think a lot of the newer coticules don't have the appearance of the older mined coticules , I,m talking 5/6 years ago when all the main veins was available.

I,ve tested many coticule edges for members and there is no Dout they are not producing shave ready edges to the standard I would want to shave with.

If I was to start out now I,m sure I would be using the naniwas, they have a nice feel and can produce smooth keen edges with out any hassle.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've had a couple of ATS-34, and still have a couple of S30V, that need a diamond plate for bevel set, and a synthetic progression to get shave ready. At least at my house that is what they need. YMMV.

Old barber (70) cutting hair for 50 years, Frank Natale. Told me in 1980s that he liked a soft coticule that he could score with his thumb nail. So of course I've tried this with every coticule I've ever had. There is just something about coticules. If I wrote a book about them it would be the 'romance' of the coticule. :)

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,,,and you forgot to mention that I have Frank Natale's barber hone. Shaving History !! Attachment 246001

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Originally Posted by gary haywood

The most common problem with coticules and there new owners? Is they just lack that little bit or so keeness. You can do a thousand laps on water and still no joy. This is what frustrates and makes you wonder why there is no improvement . I,ve stopped trying to master any and every coticule I lay my hands on, I simply don't have the time, I have to Belgium coticules that give me consistant results so I have no need to master any more coticules, not that I would.

I have tried and tested a thew newer coticules and to be onest there not for me . I tend to recommend the naniwas to any one wanting to learn to hone, I think a lot of the newer coticules don't have the appearance of the older mined coticules , I,m talking 5/6 years ago when all the main veins was available.

I,ve tested many coticule edges for members and there is no Dout they are not producing shave ready edges to the standard I would want to shave with.

If I was to start out now I,m sure I would be using the naniwas, they have a nice feel and can produce smooth keen edges with out any hassle.

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Gary my good friend who pobably has the most experience out of anyone I know with a coticule couldn't have put it any better.

The coticule was the first "better" hone I got. I used to use a Kitayama which was supposed to be a 12K though it really wasn't.

I bought my coticule probably 10 years ago and I got very respectable shaves out of it and still do though I have better hones these days.

Ive tryed alround 20 old stock coticules and they varie a lot in qualitys . I get the hang of the hard ones as they are very slow on plain water = You just have to make the dilution very good and end with a good shaving edje , and after go to plain water and move the razor forth and back on the stone this gave me best edge for the stones ive try
Coticules are the most unconsistent hones Honestly my Jnatprefinishers easily will beat them any day
Now i love coticules for midle work . They are strong there - ater the 1 K stone
I think that coticules that are hard and glassy , or those without garnets will finish razors better han the fast ones
ive had only 2 times amazing shaves off coticule and they were both on very fine and hard stones I think cotcules are better for heavyer grind razors , where they shine better as finishers
This was only my opinion