Need some help on Edge refinement.

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I do admit that I am a new honer. I am using a select grade coti. It is my only hone as budget does not allow me multiple honing options right now.

I have set a great bevel, and the razor shaves arm hair easily. I cannot seem to refine the edge enough to pass a HHT. I feel the catch with the TPT. I have used Lynn Abram's method with the best results thus far.

1.)40 circles on heavy slurry both ways w/pressure 10 X strokes with pressure
2.)40 circles on medium slurry both ways with pressure, 40 circles both ways no pressure, and 10 x strokes no pressure.
3.) 10 to 20 x strokes no pressure on a light slurry.
4.) 10 to 20 x strokes on water no pressure.

I shaved with it this morning, it was passable, but not smooth.

Any suggestions on getting this razor to a higher level of keeness? I do not tape the spine.

Thanks everyone!

Jon

First you need to learn how to use the coticule, so that you get max from it.
second HHT does not mean anything when it comes to shave quality, not unless you know the edges off your stones very well.
By the way isn't Norton 4/8k combo cheaper than coticule?

I would try a couple of things and see how they work from a shaving standpoint. First try only 5 strokes with light slurry and then water and make sure no pressure on the blade. See if this makes the shave any closer or more comfortable. The key is really no pressure beyond the weight of the blade at that point. You could also try 5 X strokes just on water and see what that tells you. Next time you do the finishing progression, try to stay closer to the 10 strokes and see what that does. I usually find that less strokes work better for me, but you never know as each stone may be different. The process you are using is very reliable and with a little tinkering, you should be able to dial in pretty quickly. Getting one shavable as you have done when you are new to honing is commendable.

Have fun.

Yes the 4k/8k was cheaper than my coti. I guess I just do not want to suffer the wrath of SWMBO by buying another hone so soon.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice Gentlemen!

Jon

I'm also quite new to honing, just started about 4 months ago.
I use only 2 stones, a cheap Taidea 1000 / 3000 and a Chinese natural ( about 10k ) with slurry.

I'm getting decent results now, but it took me about 2 months at the beginning and several attempt until I got my first razor honed and ready for shaving. It's definitely not a professional honing but that's good enough for me.

One thing though - and that is what might interest you - I never got HHT after the stones, I've always had to strop on Chromium Oxide strop after the stones to finally achieve it.

I think you should try finishing with Chromium Oxide stropping, it doesn't cost too much to purchase and put on a second hand strop or anything else it could make a BIG difference.

I really think you should not use the pastes until you can get consistent results off the stones themselves.

Also, If you really want to know how that razor passes the HHT with your hair. See if you can find someone, reputable, to hone it for you and see how it reacts to your hair. That will give you a benchmark to strive for.

I agree with Slarti - stay away from the pastes until you have full control over your hone. Then, maybe you can add a second variable. But wait a bit.....

I did it! Last night I sat down with the hone and did what Lynn suggested. I had to add a pass of no pressure circles on light slurry, and for the finishing x strokes I would do 5 and test, did this several times so it ended up being about 15 strokes.

One thing that I think was key was my stropping. I had my wife hold the swivel end, while I pulled the other. The first time I have stropped horizontally.

Anyway I am getting long winded. I had the best shave ever with this razor since I have owned it. it was comfortable for a change. Had a little trouble, but I am blaming that on technique (which keeps improving I might add).

Thanks for all of the advice you have offered here! looking forward to my future hones.

Jon

well done on your success ;) I've been hammering away at my coti for the past 2-3 months and you really need to get your technique down and know how your coti cuts.

I've been using the dilucot method which works really well: milky slurry, set bevel and dilute to water to refine. I was having trouble on the water as I've just discovered after alot of use my coti is quick on slurry and slow on water and also very smooth so when its on water the blade is quite slippy. My technique was off so I couldn't pass the HHT either until I slowed it down and learned the hone.

A few tips I picked up; for better refinement of the edge, lap the coti with a BBW, it should smooth out the surface and give a smoother edge. On the cotton strop I've started applying a VERY slight pressure to give more definitive HHT results and went from 60 laps on the strop to 80, then 80 on leather as well.

I haven't tried Lynn's technique, but I'm sure coming from Lynn it'll be a sure fire way to a good edge :) Oh and if its select grade, you should have a pretty good idea of its cutting characteristics.

Maybe Gary or Bart will chime in, or you could head over to coticule.be(sorry for mentioning another forum), Gary Haywood just posted a really good vid of him honing and I've shaved with his edges and they are buttery smooth and super sharp.

good luck on your coti, regards Alex

EDIT: as everyone else has said, learn the hone first and then add pastes if it needs them, I've found the razor needs to be so far along before it'll benefit from the pastes anyways, I hardly ever use them.