First time with a Coticule

Found a small selection of coticules for under $50, so I decided why not. Do I need them? No... it's a sickness, really, and unfortunately the cure is more hones...

Anyways... reading through threads it looks like basic approach is a slurry, slowing diluting down to finishing on water only laps (perhaps running water), no pressure, to get a smooth but perhaps not crisp edge (not trying to start a flame war... understand many good electrons have died fighting this battle).

When using an Ark, I usually finish with a mix of water & Smith's solution. I find Smith's helps me dial in the best possible Arkie edge. Will I damage a coti should I experiment with Smith's?

Welcome to the wonderful world of coticules! Now, to your question, though I've never used oil on a coti and I wouldn't say it's standard practice, people have certainly done and played around with oil. I've never heard of one being wrecked by oil, but I couldn't promise it either. If I recall, the consensus was that oil didn't add anything to the edge with a coti and if that's the case then it seems that there is little (if anything) to be gained for questionable gains. If you have a selection to work with, why not give it a try with one? Please report back! I'm looking forward to hearing what your findings are. Cheers!

using oil on coticules is fine. If you start using oil though it makes it hard to use water with the stone. I would start with a shave ready razor and do a few laps under running water or oil to see where it finishes at.

you can use slurry but it is easier to use the stone as just a finisher.

It is a rock, oil will not damage it, especially if you wash it with a good soap after use, Dawn dish soap is an aggressive enzyme soap that will remove any surface oil. Smith is a water-soluble oil and will wash off with water.

If for some reason you leave the oil on the stone and it soaks in, Simple Green, Awesome or any good degreaser will remove any deep oil by soaking.

Generally, you use oil to prevent the swarf from clogging the stone or to add a layer of cushion, so the grit does not cut as deep. Coticules self-slurry and do not load up. They are not known as aggressive cutters so oil may not be the best lubricant. Honing under running water flushes swarf and slurry so you are always honing on fresh grit, and with full contact on the stone, the opposite of what using oil would do.

If you are used to an Ark edge, a coticule will be a very different edge and not as keen. They are one natural that vary greatly in performance and are highly technique driven.

Thanks gang. Here's what's on the way... two cots and what I assume is a Belgian Blue.

Will be fun lapping...

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