Thread: Only Have a Coticule

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 zib

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.

By older, do you mean from the "Old Rock," pre-Ardennes? I think Glenn's Coticule, as that of any of the ones purchased new since 1998 are from Ardennes, and most likely identifiable by vein, even if they are not sold that way. Ardennes has reverted this policy again for reasons of simplicity I'm guessing.

I've heard that La Dressantes are consistently fast cutters, with some being faster than others. I actually have a La Nouvelle Veine (possibly from the slow side of the layer), not a La Dressante au Bleu as had been previously stated. It was an identification error. It is an excellent finisher, although it can be challenging at times. I've currently been enjoying my 2009 La Grise with beautiful orange/red blooms.

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.

From a new guy, who consistently makes every mistake I could have avoided. Pick a set, any set that's been suggested, and stick with it. While reading this thread, I saw myself getting lost in the suggestions. Before you know it, I'm thinking I need a Chosera, a Norton set, A coticule, a DMT, some japanese stones, and a bunch of stones from belgium with names I can't pronounce. So anyways, point is, if you just bought the Norton set, you'd be good. Same goes for all the others I bet. Just one....Man, that's tough. I think you already get it, but I'm still a little high off my first really successful honing attempt. If nothing else, I hope I reinforced the conclusion you already came to at least. Choose wisely!

Originally Posted by zib

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.

If you can ask Ardennes for one ask for a La nouvelle Viene coticule. IMO, they are the best finishing coticules available today from the mine. If you want a one stone only honing approach that is different but as a finisher La Nouvelle Veine is slow on water but leaves a very fine, hairy popping, edge.

La Nouvelle Veine can also function as an all-in-one. I went from bevel set to finish on a Dovo Fritz Bracht 25 on my La Nouvelle Veine natural combo last night. It's moderate to fast on slurry, and moderate on water. On water I rinse often, as there is a mild hint of auto-slurrying.

As Disburden mentioned, this layer leaves one of the best Coticule finishes out there. It has a complex nature and underrated features.

La nouvelle can be used as all around , yes, but can be challenging. That layer slurry dulls fast and you need to practice dilution rate to an exact. Doing what Glenn does in his video with this layer wouldn't work that well.

Originally Posted by Disburden

La nouvelle can be used as all around , yes, but can be challenging. That layer slurry dulls fast and you need to practice dilution rate to an exact. Doing what Glenn does in his video with this layer wouldn't work that well.

I would be very careful making assumptions like that, some of us might just do it just to prove you wrong

Anyone wanna send me a "La Nouvelle" to mess with, and a razor that you have honed before and know the edge on ?????

Without a doubt it can be done IMO. Even with the slurry dulling issue apparent in some, not all, La Nouvelle Veines. Increase the dilution time, and when on water, rinse more often.

(EDIT): I wanted to clarify for anyone stumbling across this post in the future that La Nouvelle Veine comes in two flavors: fast (mostly glued to slate), and slow (usually natural combo). There are cases where the natural combo can be moderately fast on both slurry and water, which was the case with the one I had. Some are really fast, as mentioned by disburden, requiring more precise dilution in order to avoid slurry dulling.