Thread: The Dilucot and the Hanging Hair Test

Originally Posted by Absinthe

Also I hone sideways, meaning the stone lying lengthwise before my and i'm moving the blade from left to right and back. Same thing with the X stroke.

Is that ok, or do you imperatively have to hone back and forth (push away from you and drag towards you) to get the technique right?

I hope that it is okay since sideways is how I hone too.

I am not sure where you're at, but if you're in the States, please just send me the razor, and I will either bevel set it so you can finish, or just hone it for you..
The honing is on me, the postage is on you,,, after you breadknifed it this becomes an effort in futility and to much wear on the razor for a beginner...


The offer is on the table if you want to pick it up...

If you're in the US, you might also consider posting your location, so that if there's someone near you that's experienced with honing you can meet up and they can show you some of the basics, and teach you what to look for at each step of the process.

In the OP he mentioned that he bought the razor in Belgium. If that is where Absinthe lives perhaps one of our members over there might be close by ?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In the OP he mentioned that he bought the razor in Belgium. If that is where Absinthe lives perhaps one of our members over there might be close by ?

Just sent him a pm with some 'local' possibilities

You guys are just great, thanks everyone! Thanks sixgun, Jimmy and decraew for offering your help.

I just did an hour of dilucot. I started all over again from the start. By the way, I live in Luxembourg, Europe. Maybe I'll get back to you for help, but as of now, I'm far from giving up trying. I wanna do this on my own, and I know I'll get there, eventually even if it takes me a long time.

For now, the razor started to pop some arm hair when I slide it at skin surface. Does that mean the bevel is set? What's the next step from there, polishing on water alone and then stropping, or more slurry?

I did 20 halfstrokes each side on thick slurry, diluted very slowly, by one drop of water at a time, then again 20 halfstrokes, etc. until there was no visible slurry left, unfortunately the shrill sound started again with the last set of 20 halfstrokes with very diluted slurry, so this time I stopped the halfstrokes at that point. I went very slow and held the blade flat at all times.

To finish, I did 60 X strokes on the very diluted slurry, which went well. As said, the arm hair starts to pop, but not all of it yet.

I think I'm on my way to something, I just need some instructions on what do do next.

If the edge is not evenly sharp along the razor you will need to go back to slurry & maybe do some selective honing. Its usual to finish on water to further refine the finish. Try adding some sodium carbonate to the water or some detergent. It may help with the shrill sound.

My kind of guy.

Ok...

You need to do your half strokes on milky(no thicker) slurry until it shaves arm hair very easily

Then, do two more sets of half-strokes before diluting (1 drop from your finger) then do 15 half-strokes for 10 sets. At that point, you'll have mostly just dirty water; wipe off half of it, add a drop of clean water and do some more half stroke and dilution steps until it's clear.

At that point, totally rinse the stone and razor, do 50-ish x strokes without pressure. Probe the edge

There ya go

way to Embrace the challenge,

Nice offer from Glen...You know, Coti's differ from stone to stone...If yours is green, or very pale, chances are it's hard, it may be a good finisher, and not a good cutter.
I don't know how many guys have been able to fix a chipped blade with a Coti, but I wouldn't even try...(Unless Jimmy hands over that beautiful pink one he has...Hehehe..)Even with a slurry the consistency of a milk shake, it's gonna take a lot of time to get rid of that chip. heck, it takes time with a 1k, I couldn't imagine doing it with a Coti,
even if I used the dreaded Maxicot method...(Scratching your heads...)

I would definitely send it out, let someone fix it and get it shave ready for you. Get a ebay special to play around with your Coticule...