Why is that? I'm just learning to hone, so I'm just speculating, but since coticules are slower than Norton 8Ks and are less likely to result in over-honed edges, it seems like they're great stones for beginners (their cost notwithstanding).
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Cost is usually the variable for a beginner tbh. Yes you are correct that a slower cutting hone would possibly prevent over honing by the beginner but you could also say that a faster cutting equivalent would need less passes and prevent the beginner giving up on it.
thebigspendur is right in a way. You must get to a stage with the 8k that gives the desired result. This period of learning on the Norton will help when you pass to the finer hones with their more subtle feedback. You have to understand what your doing and what to look for, so that you can progress, the Norton would give you this.
PuFF
Steve, I subscribe to the theory that slower hones are good for beginners. This idea is advocated in the old barber manual that I have, and it just makes sense.
There’s a caveat, though. The student barbers were starting with a shave-ready razor that was just starting to dull. In that case, a coticule or slow barber hone would quickly restore the fading edge.
If money were no object, I’d recommend that beginners get a shave-ready razor and a coticule. They could keep the razor going indefinitely with this setup, and I think it would be easy for a beginner to get the hang of doing touchups on a coticule.
Later, you could add a Norton 4/8K or a DMT and Belgian blue for doing heavy-duty honing on eBay specials. It’s possible to hone eBay razors with just a coticule, but I think it would be frustrating for a beginner to learn this way.
If funds are limited, the Norton is the most versatile hone for the price. You can do restoration work on it, and the 8K provides an adequate shaving edge for most guys.
Whatever tool you get, there will be a learning curve. It’s best to get one tool and really learn it than to jump around to different hones like I did. :)
Good luck,
Josh
You're right on, Doc. Dropping below 4K is only necessary if you're fixing a badly screwed-up edge. You could extrapolate from thebigspendur's comment, "Don't take on a major edge restoration until you can keep a sharp razor shaving."
I didn't take that advice. Wish I had. :) :gth
Josh
I have gotten extremely sharp razors with just the norton 4/8.
You should only use the 1K on good razors if you know what you are doing, and if you have good control over your strokes because otherwise you can do a lot of irrepairable damage really fast.