Thread: What can I do with a Coticule?

From what I can imagine, the confusing part about coti's is the slurry and how it effects the edge. Slurry on a coti will remove metal faster than with out slurry but has a counter effect on the sharpness. The more slurry, the faster metal is removed but the edge looses sharpness as the slurry rounds the edge.

Coti's take some time to learn on so you may need to repeat this several times till you get the edge you like.

1) start with a light slurry and a bit of pressure. Do around 20 laps, edge leading.
2) add a few DROPS of water to dilute the slurry and do another bunch of laps, around 20 with less pressure.
3) More DROPS of water, more laps, less pressure
4) Repeat step 3 till you do several steps with water only and only the weight of the blade on the hone.

The lap count and pressure are not a dependable gauge to go by as they differ by the condition of the razor, the particular coti being used and the honer's experience. The slurry should be like milk in color and consistency. When you finish honing with just water test shave. If it is not where you want the edge in sharpness you need to go back to the coti. If the edge is close, just use water, no slurry. Laps count, your guess. You can't over hone on a coti. If the edge is less than close repeat the steps above starting with a lighter slurry than the time before. This may take you a bunch of tries because you are learning the hone and your technique but you'll get there. Be sure to keep the blade, edge and spine flat on the hone. If you lift the spine you may set yourself back a bit. Be patient, be observant to the feel, sounds and appearance of your honing and have fun.