Thread: Only Have a Coticule

Originally Posted by TZee

@gssixgun: Out of curiosity, have you ever set a bevel on a coti? I'm going through that process now of learning honing, and trying to set a bevel on a 40x150mm coti. I'd buy a Chosera 1k tonight if my budget allowed for it.

I really enjoyed your videos and learned a great deal from them.

Yes when the whole "Whatevercot" started back in 09 I tried it to see if it was an effective system, honing as many razors as I do, I will try anything that might work easier or better... The system works, but it depends on what Coticule you have in front of you and/or the slurry stone you are using... It just isn't consistent enough for me, the "One Stone Hone" system is pretty effective but again it lacks a high enough consistency for me.. For someone that is only honing their own razors you have time to re-hone them in if it doesn't come out quite right everytime...
There is a King 1k out there that I have used, in fact it is in many of my Vids, and I used it because it is the least expensive 1k I have found that works very very well...
I have seen the King 1k being sold for as little as $19, it will greatly improve your experience, and honestly I would not recommend spending $90 on the Chosera unless you are planning on going pro

I've considered the King 1k as I can get it locally at Wood Craft, but won't I also need a DMT 325 (D8C?) to lap it?

I'm using a La Dressante au Bleu, if that helps. How were you able to successfully set the bevel? Did you actually follow the [Uni/Dil]cot methods? I wish I had that scope that you're using right now so I can see how much I've foobar'd this edge that I'm working with. I tried looking at it with the Ratshack $11.99 illuminated 60x-100x scope with no luck. A good 30x is what I need but I'm not sure where to get one locally. I know that I can order from Widget Supply.

My coticule is an older Select grade finisher, it is very very smooth and very hard the slurry stone helps because it is much softer, but you are adding three new variables to the honing matrix...

The Slurry
The Slurry stone
The Dilution

Every new variable makes the climb up the ladder a bit steeper...

If you have the time you can make any stone work with these slurry systems, the trick is you have to have the time and the skills, two things that are at a premium for new honers..

As to a DMT 325, that is optional (sandpaper and a flat surface works too) but it comes highly recommended, it honestly is my most used piece of honing equipment...

Originally Posted by TZee

I've considered the King 1k as I can get it locally at Wood Craft, but won't I also need a DMT 325 (D8C?) to lap it?

I'm using a La Dressante au Bleu, if that helps. How were you able to successfully set the bevel? Did you actually follow the [Uni/Dil]cot methods? I wish I had that scope that you're using right now so I can see how much I've foobar'd this edge that I'm working with. I tried looking at it with the Ratshack $11.99 illuminated 60x-100x scope with no luck. A good 30x is what I need but I'm not sure where to get one locally. I know that I can order from Widget Supply.

A big DMT is nice but not required.
Invest in a couple 14"x14" granite tiles
and use them to lap you hones on.

The back is rough enough to gets most
water stones started and the front
flat enough to call it good.

The key is that the 1K and the hone
you follow with have the same profile
so even if you dish the granite
a little the Coti will have the same
curved surface that the bevel setter
has.

You can also find some wet/dry
abrasive paper (3M is a good brand)
and use that on the tile. Later
you can invest in a DMT.

I would note that the 15 micron
film at Woodcraft for the pinnacle
sharpening system is about a 1K
equivalent. Glue it to something
flat (yes a granite tile is good here)
and you have a bevel setter for
a couple razors per sheet.

A coti is soft enough that the film
will lap on it. Next to
the 15 micron is 5 micron film
and also 0.3 micron film.

Once the bevel is set you can live
on your coti for a long time.

Originally Posted by TZee

I've considered the King 1k as I can get it locally at Wood Craft, but won't I also need a DMT 325 (D8C?) to lap it?

I'm using a La Dressante au Bleu, if that helps. How were you able to successfully set the bevel? Did you actually follow the [Uni/Dil]cot methods? I wish I had that scope that you're using right now so I can see how much I've foobar'd this edge that I'm working with. I tried looking at it with the Ratshack $11.99 illuminated 60x-100x scope with no luck. A good 30x is what I need but I'm not sure where to get one locally. I know that I can order from Widget Supply.

Like Glen, Most of the guys that have been here a while, have no name selected grade Coti's. That's how we bought them, Selected, Standard, and if you were lucky, you'd find a Kosher grade. Funny thing though, I do have a Dressante, As far as Coti's go, it's my favorite. A good cutter w/slurry. Beyond that, I have a La Nouvelle vein that I prefer for Finishing, if I'm in the Coti mood.

Originally Posted by TZee

I've considered the King 1k as I can get it locally at Wood Craft, but won't I also need a DMT 325 (D8C?) to lap it?

I'm using a La Dressante au Bleu, if that helps. How were you able to successfully set the bevel? Did you actually follow the [Uni/Dil]cot methods? I wish I had that scope that you're using right now so I can see how much I've foobar'd this edge that I'm working with. I tried looking at it with the Ratshack $11.99 illuminated 60x-100x scope with no luck. A good 30x is what I need but I'm not sure where to get one locally. I know that I can order from Widget Supply.

Setting a bevel with a Coticule takes time. Slurry helps speed up a Coticule.
Expect to hone and shave test on multiple weekends with only a coti until
it gets right.

As for setting a bevel on a single razor it basically needs to be done correctly
once so you can do the math and send the razor to a honemaster or
pick up a 1K hone or a 4k/8k norton work horse and work a bit harder.
The Naniwa 3k/8k is also a good choice. I mention these because the
jump from 1k to a Coticule is largish.

The first trip to a honemaster can be worth three hones in your kit.

If you have exactly one hone like a Coticule or other finisher you can let
it wear and develop a gentle hollow that will act a lot like a layer of tape or two.
Use a rubbing/ slurry stone to keep the horns of the hone minimized.

For many years I only had a Coticule and had no problems. Then one day
I lapped it flat and I had difficulties until the razor and hone matched up
again.

Soft hones like a Coticule, Norton 4/8 and Naniwa 3/8 can be kept flat
with coarse 3M wet dry abrasive paper used on a flat surface.