Thread: Anyone Using A Coticule For Touchups?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I have found a 5" coticule to be a nice size. Especially if you prefer to hold the hone in your hand. Many of the old barber coticules, that I saw firsthand in shops years ago, were 5x2 1/2.

Plus 1 most Barber Hones are targeted around the 5x2 size, seems to be about ideal for holding them in the hand for quick touch ups

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Plus 1 most Barber Hones are targeted around the 5x2 size, seems to be about ideal for holding them in the hand for quick touch ups

Would a 1.25x5 be too narrow; making it hard to keep the razor flat on the hone?

Some guys like a narrower hone for warped spines or maybe smiling blades. I prefer a 2" or 2 1/2 but I've had 1 7/16 eschers that worked real well. Inch and a quarter is one I've not personally messed with.

Originally Posted by BobK

Would a 1.25x5 be too narrow; making it hard to keep the razor flat on the hone?

Nope, that should be fine. Even with hones thinner than that, the issue isn't so much keeping the razor flat as it is keeping the pressure light (due to the smaller contact surface).

Thank you for your replies. I have another question, but I will start a new thread; didn't mean to hijack this one.

My first coticule was 40 x 125 mm, which is roughly 1 1/2 x 5 in. I got used to it despite the small size. It cost me $69.00.

I just ordered a slightly larger one - 50 x 150mm, which is roughly 2 x 6 in. I was actually more interested in the extra width than length. It's only a small increase in size but I expect it will be helpful to have even a little extra area. It cost me $120.00, so there's a significant price increase for such a small increase in size. There's an ever more significant increase in price when you go up to 3 x 8 in, and then you're talking about a stone larger than the typical barber hone.

Originally Posted by BobK

Not to hijack this thread, but I had been considering a natural combo coti about 1.25 x 5" and was wondering how the size would work for just maintaining a razor, i.e. retouching the edge? What is your experience on the size you have?

I worked it with x-strokes on a table, couldn't have been happier. Perfect size for travel, but it's what I mostly use at home now too. If you decide to buy one, don't forget to pick up a small slurry stone as well.

Im using a 125x35mm Coticule to touch up my razor, its some kind of aggressive so that in most cases 10 Strokes are enough. After honing with the coticule i usually use a Chromoxide Strop to mellow the Edge or my Celebrated Water Razor Hone, shaving direct from the coticule is possible, but i prefer a smoother edge.

Sham has a great video he just posted on youtube. He explains how coticules vary in nature, how to use them as one stone honing with varying slurry stones, etc.




not all coticules are great for razors, despite the continuing argument otherwise. I know because I have owned coticules myself that are inclusion free but ruin a razor edge, or just finished at a 4K level feeling edge. Enjoy.

Thats Right, not all cotis are great for Razors, at the moment i have six that are, but ive also had a few that werent good enough for razors, so i gave them away for sharpening kitchen tools.