Thread: Coticule after other finisher?

Hi all,

I have tried out a couple of coticules in the past months but never beeing able to refine the edge on a coti beyond a solid HHT3. Unicot has worked to me but I don’t like using tape.
Have ended up in using other finishers after wofking on coti.

But recently I‘ve run some x-strokes on my La Veignette with my testing-razor already finished on a YG/B-Thuri. After about 50 of my possible-lightest strokes I‘ve had a look to the edge at my microscope (160x) and have seen lots of Thuri scratches were polished of by coticule!

I‘ve done another set of x-strokes (50 or so) any have seen further refinement. In addition I could see the very apex line has changed its topology a little bit. I would not say the edge line got straightened out or got more rougth, I would just call it „changed“... So I‘ve stopped there, stropped the edge on linen and have got HHT5 (silent slicer)!

Have repeated the same procedure on one of my shaving-rotation-razors which was finished by Zulu Grey and again: after about 100-120 lightest x-strokes the bevel got super-polished (at least my microscope was not able any more to resolve the refined scratch pattern) and the edge line has slightly changed its form. Again HHT5 after linen stropping! Test shave was suuper keen and close, very smooth to the skin.

I guess this polishing is happening when the edge is gliding over the garnets which are embedded in the stone surface. I was astonished to see the polishing level!

Have you tried out to go back to Coticule after another finisfers?

Regards
Philipp

Interesting. How many of the lightest possible strokes are you doing prior to moving to the coti?

Hi Joshua,

before I went to coti the edge of each tested razor was finished by feeling and HHT test. I don’t exactly count the stokes, normaly I do a set of 20-40 strokes, strop the edge on linen, test for keeness and go back to the stone if needed. My skin requires at least a solid HHT4 at the thinnest testing hair.
On Thuringian its way less compared to the Zulu Grey, on the Zulu its usually more than 100 strokes. Also when I use my shallow finisher one stroke does not cover the whole blade so I need 2-3 strokes to run from toe to tip.

Get the hardest sharpest edge. And then see how many laps get the edge where you like it. On the coti that is Work it down in stages. Try edge trailing strokes as well. Until you dial it in.

I've noticed on certain coti's, they can't really "progress" an edge. Typically, bringing them to an 8k edge or higher helps them polish the edge.

Keep doing exactly what you are doing! With results like that you don’t get much better especially if the shave results match and it is a smooth, sharp and wonderful shave!!

I have done the same with other stones. My guess was that they were much finer than originally expected and therefore it was a larger gap in the progression than originally thought. After closing that gap with another finisher they brought it to the next level.

Again, with results like you are getting don’t change anything except for fun and science. Thanks for sharing your success.