Ever wear out a coticule or slurry stone?

**HNSB** · 03-10-2010, 04:21 PM

I'm just curious how long I can expect my slurry stone to last, and if I am wearing my cotis too much or something...

I can for sure tell that the slurry stone is thinner than it was when I got it, and the coti I use most seems to be wearing down as well. I'm getting to where I almost don't want to use it, because it's my favorite one and I don't want it to wear out one day. But... it's my favorite because it cuts so well, so it's dumb to not use it.

I guess I'm just wondering what the life expectancy of a coti is, and how often I should plan on replacing slurry stones?

Because it will probably come up: I know the slurry stone is wearing, because it's developed a ridge in the center. I don't lap it because there's no reason to, but it was flat when I started.

**JimmyHAD** · 03-10-2010, 04:35 PM

Check out these instructions that came with a Norton barber hone that I came across. Since reading this I have always used the edge of the slurry stone as depicted in the photo and it is working very well.

Unless you are heavy handed with your slurry stone and/or your razors I cannot imagine wearing out the coticule. Do you have plenty of yellow surface? Shouldn't need to lap it too often unless you're honing one heck of a lot of razors.

**claytor** · 03-10-2010, 04:40 PM

I see that you joined SRP in November. Is that how long you've been honing? If so, I would venture to guess you're using the hones very aggressively with a very aggressive frequency. I don't have as slurry stone for my coticule but I know that the stone itself doesn't wear very easily. I also only use it as a polisher.

Sounds like you have excuse to by another coticule stone

**HNSB** · 03-10-2010, 04:47 PM

Thanks for that Jimmy! I had been rubbing the flat sides together.

claytor: I've only been honing for about three months. I have put a lot of razors to my hones in that time though. Some turn out great, some I learn from.
I currently have four coticules, but am still searching for the "right" coticule. I wish I could find another that cuts like my first one. Then I could relax a little bit.

**mainaman** · 03-10-2010, 04:50 PM

I have not used coticules , but I have a bunch of nat stones and I bet the slurry making technique is similar. You need to apply little pressure to raise slurry, also in my experience you can raise slurry in about 10 strokes on the stone.. The slurry should not be as thick as paste just a nice dilution in the water on the stone surface. I know that coticule is used with different slurry consistencies, but how much at each stage of the honing is something you need to figure out for yourself. Another option would be to meet with someone that has used coti and can show you some techniques.

EDIT:
found this vid on YouTube by Bart (not sure if that is our member Bart here)
hope it helps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGvsh87ccnY

**JimmyHAD** · 03-10-2010, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by HNSB

I currently have four coticules, but am still searching for the "right" coticule. I wish I could find another that cuts like my first one. Then I could relax a little bit.

The damn things are like potato chips, we can't have just one. The slippery slope of HAD. I'm up to 15 and counting, looking for the "right" one !

**kevint** · 03-10-2010, 04:57 PM

Thanks Jimmy, Can you explain the reasoning behind such usage.

As an aside I do see a reason to keep the rubber flat esp. if using one wrongly, on the flat as i do. If it wears unevenly then you know you are applying it unevenly. Which is the same as worrying your hone out of flat

**HNSB** · 03-10-2010, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by mainaman

I have not used coticules , but I have a bunch of nat stones and I bet the slurry making technique is similar. You need to apply little pressure to raise slurry, also in my experience you can raise slurry in about 10 strokes on the stone.. The slurry should not be as thick as paste just a nice dilution in the water on the stone surface. I know that coticule is used with different slurry consistencies, but how much at each stage of the honing is something you need to figure out for yourself. Another option would be to meet with someone that has used coti and can show you some techniques.

EDIT:
found this vid on YouTube by Bart (not sure if that is our member Bart here)
hope it helps:

P.S. youtube has vids on anything, I like to use it when I want to see how something is done.

I've watched every video that Bart has done on coticule use.

As far as honing on them, I've gotten that down pretty well. It sounds like I'm just over-wearing the hone on the slurry making.
This particular coti raises a slurry much faster than the others (I set the bevel and sharpen on this one (diluting slurry as I go), then go to a BBW with slurry for further sharpening (diluting slurry as I go), and finish on a different coti (with water) that gives a better finish).
I'm wondering if it's just maybe a little softer than some of the others?

**kevint** · 03-10-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by mainaman

I have not used coticules , but I have a bunch of nat stones and I bet the slurry making technique is similar. You need to apply little pressure to raise slurry, also in my experience you can raise slurry in about 10 strokes on the stone.. The slurry should not be as thick as paste just a nice dilution in the water on the stone surface. I know that coticule is used with different slurry consistencies, but how much at each stage of the honing is something you need to figure out for yourself. Another option would be to meet with someone that has used coti and can show you some techniques.

EDIT:
found this vid on YouTube by Bart (not sure if that is our member Bart here)
hope it helps:
YouTube - slurry_production.wmv

P.S. youtube has vids on anything, I like to use it when I want to see how something is done.
P.s.s
looks like this is indeed Bart, and he has a series of vids on coticule use, I love youtube

**JimmyHAD** · 03-10-2010, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by kevint

Thanks Jimmy, Can you explain the reasoning behind such usage.

Yes Kevin, from my experience creating slurry with the rubber flat on the hone is more difficult because of more friction/stiction than I get when I began doing it as the Norton instruction suggest and use the edge of the rubbing stone. One of those try it you'll like it deals .... or you won't and you'll do it however you do like it. Many roads to Rome.

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