Thread: Adventures with a new hone

It's been quite a while since I last posted on SRP and I have to admit that I have missed this forum. My love for the straight razor has continued even in my absence and recently I have decided to try something new. I have taken a hiatus from the old reliable and incredibly effective Norton 1K-4/8K- Apache Strata routine that I have become comfortable with and picked up a beautiful #10 La Vienette Bout.

My typical edge is very keen and moderately smooth with a touch of bite to it. The intention is to lean towards a smoother shave with just enough keen. From what I have heard this should be achievable with a Cotti.

My first attempt was an absolute failure. The edge was killed on the side of my 1K and bevel completely re-set. Nothing new there. I then commenced to create a slurry and try to get a feel for the hone. About 20 min later my ol reliable Genco was cutting arm hair but not in the way I am used to. gave it about 50 more laps slowly diluting slurry and tried again with slightly better results. Diluted more and more until straight water. Taped the spine, recreated a light slurry and slowly diluted to straight water. 50 more laps on straight water and an HHT test. Not terrible (or so I thought). Shave test was a failure. Smooth with about 70% of the keenness I am used to. I knew this would be different but I must admit that it has frustrated me.

Second attempt was slightly better but still in my opinion a failure. Did not kill the edge but re-set the bevel on 1K quickly. Heavier slurry and a little more pressure on my strokes. Watched for color changes in the slurry and diluted slowly. Arm hair shave was better. Taped spine, new slurry and slow dilution to straight water. Smooth with a noticeable lack of keenness but better. Still frustrated!

Third attempt has left me wondering. Did not kill edge. heavy paste like slurry and moderate pressure with early strokes and lightening up pressure as diluted. same arm hair shave results as before. Taped the spine and re-created slurry. Reducing pressure as slurry is diluted to straight water. Spent about 30 min on this step. Another 100+ laps on straight water and a noticeable improvement in HHT. Popped a hair every bit as good as my typical edge. Now I am excited! The shave test yielded a very interesting result. Probably about 90% of the keenness I am used to but an incredibly smooth and irritation free shave. To be honest, I am not sure how to feel about the results. I have special shaving needs. Sensitive skin with greying barbed wire hair, which is the reason I have traveled down this path of seeking out shaving perfection. The shave is quite good but I am used to an effortless shave. This is 180degrees from my typical edge. The razor has much more feedback and requires a heavier hand. With more practice I believe I can still improve this edge but I have my doubts as to whether I will achieve the level of keen that I am used to. That might not be a bad thing.

Are the results that I am experiencing typical of the "Coticule experience"?