Thread: Overloaded by information!! Need advice

Originally Posted by Hammett

Is the coticule far more complicated to master than the Norton? If so, why?

No it is not more complicated. It's just very different. In my homeland Belgium, where Coticules come from, most stores that sell straight razors sell only one type of sharpening tool: Coticules. It is considered the tool for sharpening razors around here. In the US, it seems that for the past decade, a similar place was taken by the Norton 4K/8K synthetic water hone. (The Norton was originally made in the US, while Coticules are mined in Belgium - maybe that is part of the reason for these different "standards").
Either way, there is not only an ocean in between Belgium and the US, but also an ocean of difference between how both tools can be successfully put to use for sharpening razors. The methods for synthetic water hones fail on a Coticule, and the methods for using a Coticule are ridiculous on synthetic water hones.

When it comes to the actual quality of the shave, it is completely unpredictable what will work best for your beard/skin combination, but I believe it is only a concern, if you would become a shave-aficionado (as many of us here on SRP). Both options, as many others, are fully capable of putting a well-performing edge on a straight razor.

I believe it is far more important to ask yourself what type of person you are. Coticules have a character of their own. No two are alike. Some people resent that, others love that kind of uniqueness. Nortons need soaking, Coticules don't (there are synthetics that resuire no soaking as well). Some hones require constant lapping, others don't. Some hones do a fast job, others (like Coticules) require more patience.
My advice is to buy what goes with your temperament and general mindset, and stick with your choice till you can get great shaves off your home-honed razors. Both options are more than capable of that.

Best regards,
Bart.

Many thanks for that explanation Bart. I am more inclined to the natural hones vs man-made ones (maybe because I am European??)

I have seen as well a nice BBW + Coti + Slurry stone. The BBW is 4K and Coti is 8K.

I have read some posts about that combo, and people is satisfied with it. But me being a complete rookie on this, how the process of hone would be? My idea is:
1.- BBW + Slurry
2.- Coti + Slurry (downgrading the slurry progressively)
3.- Coti + Water

Is that good enough? Is the BBW with slurry more aggressive than Coti with slurry? (considering bbw is 4k and coti 8k)

Thanks !

Originally Posted by Hammett

Many thanks for that explanation Bart. I am more inclined to the natural hones vs man-made ones (maybe because I am European??)

I have seen as well a nice BBW + Coti + Slurry stone. The BBW is 4K and Coti is 8K.

I have read some posts about that combo, and people is satisfied with it. But me being a complete rookie on this, how the process of hone would be? My idea is:
1.- BBW + Slurry
2.- Coti + Slurry (downgrading the slurry progressively)
3.- Coti + Water

Is that good enough? Is the BBW with slurry more aggressive than Coti with slurry? (considering bbw is 4k and coti 8k)

Thanks !

Hi,
Bart posted a good wiki article in the "honing" section that explains the progression. You have 2 and 1 mixed up... coti + slurry is the most agressive (usually used for setting the bevel), then move to BBW + slurry.

On what hone you should get... one thing to think about is do you want to get a reliable, sharp edge quickly and be done with it, or do you like mucking around with a more "variable" solution until you hit upon the right formula?

Lynn has posted in the wiki a reliable method of getting your razor sharp using nortons and a pyramid honing progression, and the general consensus is this is a rock solid approach.

The coticule route has much more variablity, as the stones can be different, and you need to figure out the optimal slurry thickness, and the slurry thinning rate. I went the BBW/Coti route because I like to tinker (and I just think the stones are pretty)... I have 3 razors, one 1 I got fantastic results pretty quickly, but on the other 2 I've been struggling to get the keeness to where I want it to be without resorting to a double bevel method, and right now I'm experimenting with slurry thinning rates to nail down where I went south... I'm having fun with it, but if that isn't want you are looking for you could get frustrated.

I would also recommend getting a practice razor if you want to learn how to re-set bevels. I had one for awhile before I shipped it to somebody who was looking for a practice razor, but even then, I managed to drag the edge of a really expensive razor along the edge of my hone, which trashed it-- had to send out out for a professional reset... with the BBW/Coti method, you'll be doing *a lot* of strokes, so you want to get that skill down pat.

-Chief

As Chief noted here is Bart's article in the SRP Wiki. There is also this thread in which Bart goes into another method if you're going with the coticule here.

Thanks both. I have read just now the wikis. I consider myself a patience man, and I do really like to try to get the best I can from anything.

I don't really mind if it takes a while, I just look for that hone(s) that will give me best results, even if I have to dedicate double time.

Originally Posted by Hammett

I don't really mind if it takes a while, I just look for that hone(s) that will give me best results, even if I have to dedicate double time.

Hammett it is really depends a lot factors if you are looking for the hones to give you best results.
number one will be how much money you want to spend on hones.
Second what you like natural hones or synthetic ones.
Third i think you mention maybe the most important factor to be patient and you have patience. this is a BIG ++++++++++.
Lastly Time -give yourself time and you will learn and choose your preferable stone.
i personally like to get results as fast as i can ( this doesn't meant not quality edge i would spend more time to get the edge i like ) After honing a little longer you will see what makes you happy.GL

Hi!

The money I want to spend on the hones... well, I want to spend the least money, but without sacrificing quality. I prefer to pay few extra dollars and get a better hone that will give me better results. The money is not a big big problem, but I want to buy a hone that will last me long long time.

I think I am more of a natural hone, so I was looking for a BBW + Yellow coticule combo that I found on eBay for a very good reasonable price.

I know it's gonna take more time, efford and probably frustration on my learning curve to get my razor to the point I want, but that's where you guys come into play, cause I think I will bombarding you questions for a while...

Do you think BBW + Yellow Coti + Slurry Stone is a good combo?

Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by Hammett

Hi!

Do you think BBW + Yellow Coti + Slurry Stone is a good combo?

Thanks a lot

Unfortunately the best answer to that is, probably, that it can be. Whatever your decision (and coticules are lovely and effective stones, I use one all the time), it would be wise to take the advice on getting the razor properly honed by someone who knows what they're doing. It shows you what you're aiming for and edge maintenance is simple when compared to edge creation. If you have no luck contacting Poona then Steve at the Invisible Edge is a great guy to deal with as others have already said.