Thread: Coticule experiences

While I've been focused on jnats, I've acquired a couple of coticules. I've poured over the coticule.be site and have begun to work with 1 coticule, trying to produce the the silky smooth edges many who swear by coticules can achieve. At this point in my early explorations, I have been able to get an edge that shaves, but not that silky smooth edge.

Can you more experienced honers chip in with your experiences, techniques and tips to use a coticule? Is the BBW side of use as a finisher, or perhaps a pre finisher?
Some have found success with the dilocut method, others the unicot method and still others using the coticule under running water only. Of course I'll try it all and form my own opinions, but any information which can improve my technique is appreciated.

As an aside, using half strokes in the finishing process is something I currently do not employ, though Alex Gilmore and the coticule.be experts do use that method. Any clarity and experiences using half strokes during the finishing process are also appreciated.

Welcome to the "Rabbit Hole!"
Each Coticule I have used required a learning curve. What you have found on line is the best general knowledge available.
I would suggest that you find someone in your area "Local Help" to aid you in your journey. At a recent get together one gentleman had the best of help and by the end of the meet he got a fair to good edge.
shavelibrary.com/index/Local_Help
They are natural stones and so are each a bit different in quantity, quality, and size of the grit in the matrix. Other stones, from large layers of the rock may be more homogeneous in grit distribution and hardness and so are easier to learn.

All that said; a good coticule in the right hands make a razor a lifetime friend.
JMO
~Richard

I use a coticule on some razors and others I use an Arkansas. Both of my stones will talk to me. The coticule, with weight of the blade only and no slurry, will start to chatter or skip if you will across the stone. That's when it tells me, "I'm done." It's hard for me to describe and something you really have to experience to understand.

On the other hand my translucent Arkansas will sing at first and gradually get quieter as I hone. When it quits singing then I'm done honing and ready to strop-n-shave.

I too have recently been trying to learn the coticule. Im getting shavable results but to ke it feels like a standard 8k shave. One time i managed to get a touch more out of the edge but then i lost it. Really havent found the stickyness while honing and have not found the buttery smooth edge yet.

Keep it up and maybe soon we both will find the secrete.

BTW, i too have read everything on that site a few times. Took notes, asked for personnal help and got lots of 8nfo from others. But i havent got any one on one, in person help. Jusf no pro coti user in my area i guess. But keep 9n keeping on and i know it will c9me to us both in time.

If you already use jnats, a coticule is like going backwards three steps. some people rave about them, but i feel they are just trying to justify sub par performance from an expensive hone. ive tried so many, and the shaves were always subpar. ive had razors "professionally" honed on coticules, and the results were the same. its like trying to shave off a 6k. this is all my personal opinion and how i feel about the cotcule. its an inferior stone that provides an inferior shave when compared to even mediocre jnats. any stone that requires the stars to align, the moon to be full, a full solar eclipse, a little witchcraft, and possibly the sacrifice of a virgin to the gods in order to get a good edge is not fun to try and learn.

Definitely hard finding good jnat edge but they are out there and not for everyone. I like coti edge I get a lot (I have 2 hard, good finishing jnats) and I still use coti to finish some razors. ALTHOUGH my coti is not average coti, and extremely fine finishing cotis are rare. I like them though fun to use

Originally Posted by prodigy

If you already use jnats, a coticule is like going backwards three steps. some people rave about them, but i feel they are just trying to justify sub par performance from an expensive hone. ive tried so many, and the shaves were always subpar. ive had razors "professionally" honed on coticules, and the results were the same. its like trying to shave off a 6k. this is all my personal opinion and how i feel about the cotcule. its an inferior stone that provides an inferior shave when compared to even mediocre jnats. any stone that requires the stars to align, the moon to be full, a full solar eclipse, a little witchcraft, and possibly the sacrifice of a virgin to the gods in order to get a good edge is not fun to try and learn.

I have spent months with 2 superb Jnats. I've been able to get some extremely nice edges. But in this hobby we are always chasing a little extra something, even if it may, or may not be possible.

Originally Posted by Benz

I use a coticule on some razors and others I use an Arkansas. Both of my stones will talk to me. The coticule, with weight of the blade only and no slurry, will start to chatter or skip if you will across the stone. That's when it tells me, "I'm done." It's hard for me to describe and something you really have to experience to understand.

On the other hand my translucent Arkansas will sing at first and gradually get quieter as I hone. When it quits singing then I'm done honing and ready to strop-n-shave.

Would this skipping be the same feeling as stiction? That would be the feeling the blade is sticking to the stone.

Originally Posted by Midway

Would this skipping be the same feeling as stiction? That would be the feeling the blade is sticking to the stone.

I guess you could say that. When the stone has given its "all" and I push the blade down the stone it kind of jerks.

I've had a love hate relationship with coticule for the past 3 years. It was what I learned to hone on. My first hone type. I never took the 1 4 8k route.

After 3 short years and 75 coticule tested and resold. About 5 were what I would call a razor finisher. 50 were mediocre and gave maybe an 8k edge. 20 were just totally useless for me coarse. Not for shaving for knives really.

The majority of what they are digging up now is imo not suited for razor finishing hones but since coticule honing became popular back in 2009 with the notion that every coticule could finish an edge and make a wonderfully butter smooth edge. They will dig up and sell whatever cuts steel and doesn't have inclusions or flaws. They are wonderful stones but not finishing stones for the most part. Too soft and coarse from the most recent I've played with. There is far too much variation in these stones and they simply are not graded like they were back when they were used for razor hones. The fifties and prior I'm thinking.

So your best bet for a coticule finisher. Try finding a hard glassy coticule. Vintage preferrable. EBay or from a member here or elsewhere. Be wary of new hones.

Unless you know what you're looking for in a stone it's really a crap shoot for a beginner to buy a stone off a popular vendor and think they are getting this amazing stone that will give them buttery edges. Going into coticule honing with that pre-installed expectation is a recipe for dissapointment. Forgo the slurry when learning.

Know a stone might max out at a level that is lower then you expect or like.

Half strokes are good. You can use them without slurry too. Watch dr. Matt's video. Helpful stuff.

The best advice is to practice. No internet reading or YouTube will ever replace good ol stone time.


Really it's hit and miss and the hit rate is far higher with vintage stones. I've spent thousands on coticule stones and have none now...

My $0.02. To each their own.. Good luck and Have fun don't get discouraged and remember there is always one out there that will work for you. The trouble is finding it.