It is possible that the OP just has bunk coticules, or at the very least ones that are not suited to to the work he wants to accomplish

I only have one coticule, it was my first hone and it's the only one I've ever tried but it works for want I need it to do.

It's exactly like SR shaving, for every newb that says he had a great first shave there are 5 others saying it was awful. YMMV.