Thread: Why do I need a Coticle?

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

It would give you another finishing option, unless you do not like coticule edges. I would buy one from someone that uses coticules and knows something about them if you do not want to spend a fortune. $300-$450 is insane.

With your current set up you will not gain anything with adding coticule. You can eliminate all stones between 1k ans 12k from your progression, but it will not give you results you are not getting already. If I were you I'd stick with the progression you have , but may be later add a coticule to gain experience with another stone, naturals are great fun to learn and use.

Originally Posted by mainaman

With your current set up you will not gain anything with adding coticule. You can eliminate all stones between 1k ans 12k from your progression, but it will not give you results you are not getting already. If I were you I'd stick with the progression you have , but may be later add a coticule to gain experience with another stone, naturals are great fun to learn and use.

That may be exactly the impetuous behind this, "gain experience with another stone". And Slartibartfast, I've never experienced a coticle edge.

I don't find the coticule is as dependable as Naniwa. I find it sometimes works really good, sometimes not. Thats why I love the Naniwas, you always get the same results over and over, and the edge is just really smooth. Btw the edge of a Coticule is good but I still like the Naniwa edge better.
If you want a bit smoother edge, I would add 30 laps on a balsa plate with Chromium oxide after your 12K Naniwa. You will definitely see the difference. You can buy it here for $15: Sharpening Pastes and Sprays

If you are just looking for someone to give you a reason to buy one.... The coticule will transform you into a master honemeister. The smell of the slurry, the wax on/wax off of the honing stroke. You will soon be the chosen one that will deliver us all to valhalla.

Originally Posted by dps

I don't find the coticule is as dependable as Naniwa. I find it sometimes works really good, sometimes not. Thats why I love the Naniwas, you always get the same results over and over, and the edge is just really smooth. Btw the edge of a Coticule is good but I still like the Naniwa edge better.
If you want a bit smoother edge, I would add 30 laps on a balsa plate with Chromium oxide after your 12K Naniwa. You will definitely see the difference. You can buy it here for $15: Sharpening Pastes and Sprays

Thanks, and yes I do follow with Crox, but I have nothing to compare to having never had that coticle edge. I guess thats my question, delving into others knowledge of the two edges, without me having to buy something I may not like. But, I still think it would be nice to just have one.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

If you are just looking for someone to give you a reason to buy one.... The coticule will transform you into a master honemeister. The smell of the slurry, the wax on/wax off of the honing stroke. You will soon be the chosen one that will deliver us all to valhalla.

Yea, like that $500 widget driver is going to put me on the PGA Tour.

It is a good Natural finisher, that gives smooth comfortable edges, especially on Sheffield Steel (IMHO & IME) You should be able to find one at way less than $300..

Warning: No two natural stones are alike, that is the allure of natural stones, Synthetics are an exact science, it is either the razor or the hands if you can't get an edge right... Natural stones are a romance, and add a another variable to the honing matrix make sure you understand that when people wax poetic on their natural stone it is their natural stone, it might not be the same as the stone you get (Authentic Labeled Eschers are pretty well exempt from that statement)

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

To save a lot of posts and getting a lot of these http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/smilies/nono.gif

you could've simply used a thread title that describes better your question. For example "What do I gain from adding a coticule to my honing setup?".

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

I have nothing to compare to having never had that coticle edge. I guess thats my question, delving into others knowledge of the two edges, without me having to buy something I may not like.

You can ask somebody who has a coticule and is good at using it to hone/finish one of your razors with it and see what you think. Even if you have to pay for the service it's not going to be $300.
Or you can borrow somebody else's 'good' coticule and try for yourself - make some friends on the internet, or go to a meeting where people bring hones.
Or you can find a vendor who would allow you to return the hone if you don't like it. Or perhaps a local vendor who would allow you to test the hone before buying it.

Those are really all of your options if you don't want to just buy something based solely on other people's opinion and then find out if it was good or bad buy.