Thread: The intimidation of Newbie Honing

Hi,
Try between 10 & 30 laps, with water only. If you're not happy after that do another 10, then try again & keep going like that. You shouldn't have to worry about over-honing with a coticule, but there's no point doing too many.

Addition here,
I think this needs to be added here before every new guy goes out to buy a Yellow Coticule thinking it is a great all around hone...
There are only a very few people that use one from bottom to top, Bart comes to mind, and even he has a bevel setter for really bad blades...
Disburden was very, very, specific as to what his requirements were in a stone.... The problems come when you buy your first e-bay razor or your first razor that needs a bevel set, for most mortals, a coticule will be an effort in futility setting a bevel, it requires an experienced hand behind the stone (read Bart)...
Just keep this in mind if you are a honing newbie, read Disburden's post very carefully..... most people are better served with a combo stone or a combination of stones....

Totaly agree on Gssixgun. especialy because I'm one of those newbs myself

I've been starting with a Coticule, BBW and DMT -E and needded all the help I could get to get it right.

Once you get the hang of it honing is a very pleasant thing to do ...but it can be a bit frustrating. But with the help of some great guys here at SRP and some patience eveything worked out (Thanks again guys!) Because Coticules are natural stones , some are better for setting bevvels than others.. You need experience to know one from another.. its a lot easier to just set the bevel with a DMT that is known to be a good bevel setter..

What I was wondering is that if your razor needs a touchup and you have used CrO on a strop (not a bench strop) doesnt that mean that the bevel is rounded and it needs to be reset?

as a newb I really enjoy honing a razor every now and then.. it is very rewarding to shave with a razor that you honed yourself...and I love the smell of a BBW with slurry...

Maarten

From what I understand the Cr0 pasted strop can round the bevel after a while and causes the razor to need to be reset on a stone of some kind.

Anyway, something unexpected to add. I PMed Bart last night about how I should approach touching up a razor with a coticule. He basically told me he has never had any success in touching up a blade with one (slurry or with water). I was told Slurry on blue would dull the edge more. I don't own the BBW side anyway, so no sweat. What concerns me is that I may have bought a stone that isn't going to do me any good for touching up a blade. Bart mentioned that a coticule excels at smooth the edge of a razor that is harsh from honing, but can not bring back any keenness on the edge. He mentioned also that all Coticules are different, so mine may work.

Now I am confused!

Well I hone my razors on a blue with slurry and that certainly does not dull the edge..
after the slurry I dilute it until I'm honing with BBW on water only and then go to the coticule.

I was convinced that if the edge was getting dull and CrO wasnt going to bring it back the bevel needs to be reset.. and that is beyond what I can do with only a (my) Coticule.. I would downstroke it and start with the DMT for that.

I wasnt aware that for just regular touchups a coticule isnt enough.. Maybe get a BBW as well? depending on your Coticule (if its a fast cutter with slurry) you will be good to go to reset bevels and hone your razors...

Maarten