Thinking of buying some stones...

**vmank1q** · 08-15-2010, 01:44 PM

But not sure exactly which ones

I want to have a go at restoring old razors.

So I want to start with a Naniwa 1000k

And Finish with a Coti.

But I'm not sure about in between.

I know it can be personal and there's so many different stones but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

**SliceOfLife** · 08-15-2010, 02:05 PM

You don't need anything in between. Check out this site...

http://www.coticule.be/

When I don't feel like using my coticule from start to finish, I use DMT 1200 then DMT 8000 then Coticule. But it's really not much more work with just the coticule. I'd assume you could go Naniwa 1000 to DMT 8000 to coticule if you liked.

**vmank1q** · 08-15-2010, 02:34 PM

Thanks, that's good news.

**vmank1q** · 08-15-2010, 03:23 PM

Does the Naniwa and the Coti need lapping?

**SliceOfLife** · 08-15-2010, 03:49 PM

Naniwa yes. Coti no.

**vmank1q** · 08-15-2010, 03:57 PM

Thanks Ian, appreciate it.

**SliceOfLife** · 08-15-2010, 07:27 PM

No problem. Coti's are fun little stones. Up until my sixth I didn't really appreciate how much they could vary. At ten or so now, I really can tell them apart by performance. They're a real treat to work on.

**randydance062449** · 08-16-2010, 09:07 PM

Generally a "1-4-8- some finishing stone" progression is used. Using just the 1k and a Coticule is a relatively new approach that requires a good bit of experience, practice, and the proper Coticule.

Hope this helps,

**azmark** · 08-16-2010, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by SliceOfLife

At ten or so now, I really can tell them apart by performance. They're a real treat to work on.

I keep telling my wife ten everything is the magic number and you know you if you like the item or not

.

**heirkb** · 08-17-2010, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Generally a "1-4-8- some finishing stone" progression is used. Using just the 1k and a Coticule is a relatively new approach that requires a good bit of experience, practice, and the proper Coticule.

Hope this helps,

I agree with this. It was a true pain in the rear to try to figure out what to do with coticule slurry when I was just starting. I suppose you could use the unicot method, but if you want to use that, why bother getting the Naniwa? It does make the process easier, but not by that much. Cause then you have to start with a slurry and you can't easily know for sure how thick or dilute to make it if you already have a bevel set so you may be wasting time and doing extra heavy slurry work on a bevel that doesn't need it.

As a newer guy to honing who has fresh memories of how hard it is to learn at times (even up to this day), I would recommend something like a Naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k set. And then a coticule finish if you wish. I was very surprised when I first tried this progression, because it was SO much easier and simpler than using just the coticule with slurry and gave me a way better edge.

It's up to you, your budget, preferences, time, confidence etc...

**vmank1q** · 08-17-2010, 08:09 AM

Well I did buy the stones and they came back this morning. I gave it a go and realised it wasn't as easy as it looked lol.

i managed. after many attempts to get an edge on the razor and shaved with it. But wasn't nearly as sharp enough as it pulled and left bits of stubble.

So I tried it again later and couldn't even get a decent edge that time.

I now realise it will take time. But I ain't giving up!

Thanks for the replies.

**vmank1q** · 08-18-2010, 04:22 AM

Tried it again today with much better results. It seems as if I wasn't pressing harder enough on creating the initial bevel. Still not brilliant, but a lot better.