Thread: Lapping a BB/Coticule

Originally Posted by Utopian

Most of mine are thinner than that. I'd guess that your coticule is thicker than average.

Ditto. I just whipped out my ruler and my two coticules. 1" thick coticule/BBW is a fair sized one. My larger coticule (with only a slate backing) has about a 1/2" layer of coticule, and I thought that was nice and thick.

So you have a nice thick stone, it'll last you a looooong time.

What grit do you use to lap yours fellows?

Any risk of damaging the stone if I use 820 grit?

I think I lapped it with 325, then polished it up with 1000 sandpaper. I don't remember, but I probably threw in some lapping on a 600 grit in between just to speed things up a bit.

820 won't damage the stone at all, so I'm sure that'll be just fine.

I remember one member saying that there's not much point to polishing a coticule too much when lapping it, since it releases it's particles quickly during honing.

I've actually used another coticule, full-sized or slurry stone would work, to smooth out the surface after I lap it. I just rubbed them together lightly under water a few times to smooth things out.

Do you use your coticule regularly ?

None at all. It will take a quite a bit longer but bit there is to risk to the stone.

Originally Posted by Dups

Do you use your coticule regularly ?

I use several of mine regularly. Wear is minimal. I really doubt you need to worry about wearing it out.

I actually only use it for final edge polishing purposes. I do all of my major honing/polishing on my norton stones (i.e. set the bevel on the 1000, then 4000, then 8000). Once I finish off the 8000, the edge is already good to go, but a few laps on the coticule with just water adds just a little. I typically do 20-30 laps after the 8000.

So I don't actually use it that much, I'd rather do all the major honing work on easily replacable synthetic hones!

I recently got rid of my 4k/8k stone so this one will be my only stone apart from my swaty and cr0.

I'm interested to see how it will perform with slurry. I've been reading Bart's posts with a lot of curiosity.

I think I'm going to try his method on my cheapo Double Arrow razor.

I've read a LOT of Bart's post about the coticule and BBW. He really seems to know his stuff! The coticule/BBW combo stone is pretty much the natural equivalent to the norton 4000/8000 stone, except a more versatile (i.e. use of thick/thin slurry or just water on either side). I think you'll have a lot of fun experimenting with the stone, just be sure you have another shave-ready razor on hand.