Thread: Only Have a Coticule

Hello All,

Been away for a while, happy to see SRP still strong and growing. I have been using a 6"x2" yellow coticule solely for sharpening my blades. Although a great finisher and while I like the stone, feel it gives some inconsistent edges . . keenness? Which is most likely due to "operator error" & working on a small surface area. I like the broad options it gives; ie, slurry for fast cutting, plain wet as finisher, etc. But, in using a razor I got from ebay, where the seller finished the edge on some Japanese sounding stone I was amazed at its performance.

I am interested in looking at expanding my sharpening equipment (and skills), "up another notch" and while looking at the Wiki, past posts, I am open to suggestions; ie, just get a Norton 4/8K, Japanese 5/9K, etc, etc. I think my focus should be concentrated on developing a consistent cutting edge (bevel), then use my coticule as the finisher. I welcome all input.

Thanks all!

Alpsman

Hi, welcome back!

My only suggestion when starting down the multiple stone track is don't overdo it and start just collecting everything that has ever been mentioned in some orgy of stone collection. Spend the time learning how to get the best from each before getting more. There's nothing wrong with having every stone under the sun, but if you don't learn how to use each you'll be a "jack of all stones, master of none"!

James.

After a few months of honing, use a lot of different stones (HAD got me), I'd say the main thing I've learned is having a base "go-to" system is a must, something like Shaptons, Nanivas or Nortons.
These are quite reliable and will give you nice and consistent result, just about every time. At least that's how I feel about my Shaptons.
I dabble with cotis, C12K and Jnats, but every time I struggle, I know I can just hit the razor with the Shaptons, and I will be good to go in no time.
I've tried my cotis with all kinds of diddeliiduddelicots and what not, but I don't get very consistent results that way, I get much better results doing a razor up to 8k on the Shaptons and then use the other stones strictly as finishers.
That's what seem to work for me.

I'd recommend you buying a good 1k and a Norton 4/8K or some Naniwa Super Stones.

Having been through the "stone orgy" , as mentioned by Jimbo, I'm down to a Chosera 1k to set bevels, a Norton 4/8 and a DMT D8C continuous diamond plate for flattening my hones. That is my basic sharpening setup. I have a few naturals too but that is another story.

Yeah, for consistency you want something synthetic. I'd say norton since it's the cheapest option. The problem with the coticule, or anything else one-hone, is that you have to vary the cutting power by diluting slurry, and that's a bit tricky, as the density is fairly hard to control. With a discrete grit system your only variable is the number of strokes, and that is pretty straightforward (there's also the amount of pressure, but that really comes into play only at the very beginning when establishing the bevel).

Using the coticule with just water as a finisher is very consistent.

Jimbo said it well. We throw out terms like HAD as a joke, but it's real. People get addicted to buying stones, and wind up with more than they need or will ever use. Get yourself a set Naniwa's, Nortons, or the Shaptons. Synthetics are consistent. You know now, Naturals are not. You have high end synthetic finisher's too, like the Shapton 16k, and 30k. Even the Nani 12k.

I'm happy with my Naniwa's.

Inconsistent edges may be more to do with your bevel setting than your finishing. If you use your coticule as a finisher I imagine it would cover the 8k range of things. You could get a 1k & 4k synthetic to cover the low to mid range & if you like the J.edges that much you could eventually get an appropriate Jfinisher.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Having been through the "stone orgy" , as mentioned by Jimbo, I'm down to a Chosera 1k to set bevels, a Norton 4/8 and a DMT D8C continuous diamond plate for flattening my hones. That is my basic sharpening setup. I have a few naturals too but that is another story.

"Another story" -- say, Jimmy, just how many naturals would "a few" be?

Originally Posted by Alpsman

Hello All,

Been away for a while, happy to see SRP still strong and growing. I have been using a 6"x2" yellow coticule solely for sharpening my blades. Although a great finisher and while I like the stone, feel it gives some inconsistent edges . . keenness?
....snip....

I used a coti for 20 years as my only hone.
Used it like a barber hone, 5-10 hone strokes
never lapped it never had a rubbing stone for it.

Then one day I discovered this gaggle of folk and
lapped my coti flat only to find that the hone and
the razor had grown old together. Like an old
man gets a back ache because his easy chair
got replaced by a new one that now matches
the rest of the furniture.

Tell us more about how you use your coti and
how many razors you use.

Have you added anything to your shave den that might
have upset things?

Others have mentioned the Naniwa 12k hone
and I can tell you from my experience that the Na12k
is a very good hone. It will do well with light
but relentless lapping to keep it close to flat.
Think half a sheet of paper as the max amount of
hone that needs to be "lapped". Do take
advantage of the slurry from the lapping process
as you hone. Dilute to clear water in a couple
steps to get the max effect out of your Naniwa
(same for the coti).

@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.