Thread: Why do I need a Coticle?

I have a Coti, there is a serious learning curve to it. I have not yet leaned its secrets yet so I still utilize my synthetics when I get frusterated.

I would like to reinforce the point made above that the coticule is nice, but not required for good edges. Even if it produced the best edge in the world, in my opinion, that would be significant only for a shave or two. After that, you would be shaving with a leather strop-sharpened edge. It would have an edge that is indistinguishable from the edge produced by Naniwas or Nortons.

Originally Posted by alb1981

I have a Coti, there is a serious learning curve to it. I have not yet leaned its secrets yet so I still utilize my synthetics when I get frusterated.

This is very very true... It took me a long time to learn mine.

Originally Posted by Disburden

This is very very true... It took me a long time to learn mine.

So true, and I'm still trying to learn my coticules.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Don't listen to these guys.

You know what happens when folks have something that's so wonderful, well...they want to keep it all for themselves so they dissuade you from getting one.

The fact of the matter is the coticule is the best honing stone in the world and you must buy one. Not only that but if you buy one you can do it all with it so you never have to buy another stone ever again. If you don't believe me, why I remember an article in Consumer Reports a year or so ago comparing honing stones and they gave the coticule a best buy and said nothing else even touches it. Not only that but it's the only stone that Bear guy on T.V would ever use out in the wilds. It's also the official honing stone of Lichtenstein (I bet you didn't know that did you? It's even on their state seal) I knew a guy who loved them so much he would grind one up into fine powder and sprinkle it on his frosted flakes for breakfeast each morning. He told me it gives him a sharp wit.

So once you buy yours give me a call. This month I'm selling shares in a small bridge I have ownership to in N.Y.C

Seriously though, it's a good stone, I have one but there is no magic in it.

"Consumer Reports" I love it.

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

To save a lot of posts and getting a lot of these http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/smilies/nono.gif, I know I don't need one, but I also don't need 24 razors, and growing. What I'm looking for is, what do I gain from one. I use Naniwa 1,3,5,8,10,12k on some razors and Norton combos on others and, all lapped with DMT and do touch up on a Franz Swaty sometimes. Also, rarely, but occasionally will call on the 12k Shapton. I'm getting good results, but what would a coticle bring to the table. Like most of us AD suffers, I'm always after that little extra if it actually makes a difference. Second part: With stones varying, even in the select grade, how do you get a good "razor" one without just rolling the $300 to $450 dice? Thanks in advance!!

Howard

With your set of man made hones you clearly do not need a coticule.

It is true that a coticule gives some people a smoother shave
but not all people. The magic of a coti is that you can hone
to almost any degree of finish. The garnets break down and
get finer and finer up to a point. Since the garnets are soft compared
to modern abrasives they interact with the steel differently. IMO they
end up smoothing it rather than cutting it.

Using a Na12k hone lightly once a month works better for me.

For +30 years I lived with three razors and one hone (a coti) and
when used gently much like a barber hone worked very well.
The Naniwa hones (to 12k) take the game to a new level and my coti
gets to see daylight on rare occasions.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur;

So once you buy yours give me a call. This month I'm selling shares in a small bridge I have ownership to in NYC.

Now you've piqued my curiosity. Did you buy the coticle first, or the bridge?

Originally Posted by Scipio

No one needs a coticule, least of all you. I have several that I do not need. In contemplation of purchase, this thread was posted to justify its cost. Wasn't it?

Well, I've been working most of the day and missed this thread which has already been replied to by many with experience you can trust.
As Jim points out, they can be had for a fraction of 400 dollars.

And as Glen advises where an earlier reply wrongly said it will provide nothing other than a bridge between 1 and 12K; it is an alternative finisher to some razors such as those comprised of Sheffield Steel. For some reason I have also found that many Sheffields take a better finish with a coticule, where a finer synthetic will not give said finish.

Mentors: Tasks and responsibilities?
Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship in which a more experienced person helps a less experienced person, referred to as a protégé, apprentice, mentoree, or (person) being mentored, develop in a specified capacity.[31] A "mentor" at SRP is "a trusted adviser." We see the role of the SRP adviser precisely in that term. He or she uses the title to welcome newcomers, encourage them, point them in the right direction, hold their hands, if necessary, and, of course, share his or her own experience with them. The title does not necessarily mean the Mentor is an expert in every element of wet shaving with a straight or double edge razor.

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

Mentors: Tasks and responsibilities?
Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship in which a more experienced person helps a less experienced person, referred to as a protégé, apprentice, mentoree, or (person) being mentored, develop in a specified capacity.[31] A "mentor" at SRP is "a trusted adviser." We see the role of the SRP adviser precisely in that term. He or she uses the title to welcome newcomers, encourage them, point them in the right direction, hold their hands, if necessary, and, of course, share his or her own experience with them. The title does not necessarily mean the Mentor is an expert in every element of wet shaving with a straight or double edge razor.

I think they talk a little differently out east and across the pond that we do here in flyover country. I think what he meant to say was that given your [apparent] lack of experience in honing [based, ostensibly, on your freshness to the forum] a coticule is probably a bit too advanced. I may have mistranslated that. Forgive me if I did.

For what it's worth, I love my coticules. If you can perform a good honing stroke, follow instructions, and have the perseverance and determination to understand one particular stone, you can sharpen a razor to shaving smoothness with a coticule.

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

The title does not necessarily mean the Mentor is an expert in every element of wet shaving with a straight or double edge razor.

This may be true but members have been active on SRP for a period of years before being chosen as mentors so if you see a bunch of them saying the same thing they likely picked up a few clues along the way ... & they probably all own the stone in question or they wouldn't comment.

So far it's been established 1. Coticlules are cheaper than you thought. 2. Have a wide variety of uses & hone slightly differently to synthetics. 3. Are not essential but a handy tool to have for some steels..

I think your OP has been quite well covered but maybe you have some more specific questions ? .