How Do You Get That Perfect Coticule?

Here's yet another newb about to venture into the honing world! After exhaustive research here at SRP I want to take the plunge and get my first hone, a yellow coticule. However, being informed as I am, I'm aware that no 2 are the same; some are very hard, some very soft. As I'm only looking for a touch-up/finishing stone (no heavy restorations for me) which would be better for my basic needs? And considering you can't touch or view what you are looking to buy (like in a shop) how do you know the hone you are getting is suitable for that purpose?

Thanks,

Ryan

PS- Howard, you'll probably be hearing from me soon:tu

ask the seller i think ArdennesCoticule
what is your purpose for buying coticle he will make sure you will get right one .welcome to addiction another victim

A coticule(yellow) would work just fine. I think I have about 20 of them and only one is not suitable for finishing/touchups. Be sure to also get the
Belgian blue, it is coarser and can be used when just the yellow is not sufficient.

Give Howard a call, tell him what your looking for.:)

In general though, what is better, a softer stone or a harder one? I think I know the answer, but I just wanted confirmation.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

In general though, what is better, a softer stone or a harder one? I think I know the answer, but I just wanted confirmation.

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nope.:nono:
You answer first.

ok I can't resist. Because neither is best- only averages at ends of a spectrum. If you only have one, you learn how to get the most from it by working it. Not that I'm an expert on coticules, but that is the funnest way to use naturals in general imho- experimentally.

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Originally Posted by kevint

If you only have one, you learn how to get the most from it by working it.

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I agree. Each stone must be learned.

Plus one on talking to Howard. Just tell him you want to hone razors on it and he won't let you down.

I've been told that you want a harder stone for those last few strokes. But either way it should be fine. I have a soft one that raises a great slurry on it's own and I find the shave off of it to be quite fine. As has been said, learn the stone you have and it will work great for you.

A coticule is a great first hone. Also, I would pick up the blue like Randy said, with a blue and a yellow you can do most any honing that needs to be done short of setting a bevel. Though if you wanted to work at it would could do even that. :D

This does not just apply to perfect coticules but to all stones.

The secret to getting the perfect stone.....$$$$$ :rofl2:

James.

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Originally Posted by JCitron

Plus one on talking to Howard. Just tell him you want to hone razors on it and he won't let you down.

I've been told that you want a harder stone for those last few strokes. But either way it should be fine. I have a soft one that raises a great slurry on it's own and I find the shave off of it to be quite fine. As has been said, learn the stone you have and it will work great for you.

A coticule is a great first hone. Also, I would pick up the blue like Randy said, with a blue and a yellow you can do most any honing that needs to be done short of setting a bevel. Though if you wanted to work at it would could do even that. :D

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Setting the bevel can be done with a coticule. It took me a week to do it to a bread knife nick removal job. Sometimes through the sessioins it can seem discouraging but the bevel does form after hours of work. It is very satisfying. Perhaps not if you are fixing edges for a lliving. MikeB

Thanks for the input guys. Perhaps a belgian combo would be the best route, but I have yet to decide. I have read many older threads regarding coticules, especially from Bart, and I realize that they are probably THE most versatile hone out there.
Bart, if you ever read this, a big thanks. I have been reading your threads long before I was a member. We SRP members are in your debt for your meticulous experimenting.
I should get a hone soon though as I know my razor is getting less keen my the shave!

Ryan

I really must recommend ArdennesCoticule, I just ordered a small selected of the classifieds here, much cheaper than their web-page, and with a slurry-stone for only 4 €. Very recommended dealer, and make sure you check the classifieds before heading over to their web-shop! :)

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Thanks for the input guys. Perhaps a belgian combo would be the best route, but I have yet to decide. I have read many older threads regarding coticules, especially from Bart, and I realize that they are probably THE most versatile hone out there.
Bart, if you ever read this, a big thanks. I have been reading your threads long before I was a member. We SRP members are in your debt for your meticulous experimenting.
I should get a hone soon though as I know my razor is getting less keen my the shave!

Ryan

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Well... I am reading. :) Thank you for the encouraging words.
I actually typed half an answer yesterday, and decided not to post, because I realized I was about to make statements that I can't back up with hard evidence.

I have a decent collection of Coticules, and for those Coticules I know the differences pretty well. I have a Coticule that I use primarily for bevel correction, 'cause it removes steel so fast with slurry. With water, that one can be used to finish as well, but I never do, because I have better ones for that. I have a glassy, very white Coticule that is just great for finishing after a 10K synthetic waterstone. It really adds a smoothness to the edge that's not there without that stone. For finishing after the Belgian Blue however, that same Coticule is not very good. In polishing mode (no use of slurry) Coticules in general have almost no capabilities to boost the keenness, they just excel in smoothening the edge and lend the edge a typical sort of "forgiveness". My glassy white one is the king of kings in that field, but it has zero power in making the edge a tad keener, which leaves something left to be desired if used after the Belgian Blue. The majority of my other Coticules perform anywhere between those two.

I really think that if you purchase any Coticule that's free from coarse inclusions and that's not so soft that it generates slurry by merely honing, you're going to be just fine, whether you buy from Howard or directly from Ardennes Coticule.

Some people, like myself, have grown so up-tight about honing, that they're always on the lookout for that perfect edge, that asks for a different approach on each razor and also on each face. Such guys, for whom honing is as much a hobby as shaving is, just love to carry on endlessly about the finer nuances between two hones of the same type, but we must not exagerate those differences.

Maybe, just maybe:

- after a BBW or a DMT 8K, go for a soft Coticule.
- after a Norton 8K, go for a medium Coticule.
- after a Shapton 8K, 16K, a Chosera 10K, reach for a hard Coticule.

Maybe.

All the best,
Bart.

PS. "Tonight's The Night" is my all time favorite record...;)

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Originally Posted by Bart

Some people, like myself, have grown so up-tight about honing, that they're always on the lookout for that perfect edge, that asks for a different approach on each razor and also on each face. Such guys, for whom honing is as much a hobby as shaving is, just love to carry on endlessly about the finer nuances between two hones of the same type, but we must not exagerate those differences.

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I resemble that remark. :) Ryan, you won't find the perfect coticule ...... because I've got it. :rofl2: Kidding aside an 8 or a 6X2 natural would be what I would get. Also a slurry stone.