Just received my first coticule

[Galengwath]

I'm officially about the join the ranks of honers. After nearly a year of straight razor shaving I've decided to take the plunge. Unfortunately my bank account doesn't agree, so I had to settle for a small, 1-stone solution. Hence a coticule. Starting tomorrow I'm going to begin learning how to use it, and post about my experiences here on B&B. I'm quite looking forward to the experience, and fully expect it to take quite a while. Fortunately I possess an abundance of patience, a character trait honed on the personalities of three young children. Wish me luck!

[Proinsias]

Good luck, they are lovely stones to play with.

As always, pics or it didn't happen.

[Pkrankow]

Pics and dimensions please!

I have done EVERYTHING to a few ebay specials with a single coticule, well, I breadknifed on a cheap synthetic. I recall spending 4 hours each on two blades setting the bevel after reprofiling. One hour sessions. I bought a Naniwa Chosera 1k for that type of task.

My coticule a that time was a rather wide bout that I eventually cut to more regular dimensions. (approx 6 x 1.4 inches) I still have the larger piece of it, and I have a wonderful La Verte that I find easier to get a wonderful edge off.

Phil

[Proinsias]

Yeah, a cheap 1k is a good friend for a coticule.

[linguist]

congrats and hope success. i managed to hone at first try with unicot method. the tricky part is to do very light laps at the finishing.

[Doc226]

Pics or it never happened

[Kentos]

Patience is key. However it is my belief that you can get a shavable edge on your first few tries if you do your homework and take your time.

[hig789]

Pics! Pics! Pics!

[paco664]

just saying you may wanna post a photo or 2 before the natives revolt.....

[paco664]

[life2short1971]

Still no pics? Man.......

[SliceOfLife]

He's too embarrassed by it since it isn't...

the


ult...


Nevermind.

[life2short1971]

We are your friends and want to share in the joy of your new coticule. Please !!!! Pics soon......

[ouch]

Yeah, a cheap 1k is a good friend for a coticule.

Agreed. I went from a big box of stones to a 1K GlassStone and a coti. Okay, plus films and paddles and balsa and pastes and strops, but you get the idea.

[paco664]

He's too embarrassed by it since it isn't...

the


ult...


Nevermind.

[Galengwath]

I will endevour to put up some pics later today. As I stated earlier it is a small little coti, measured at 30x75mm courtesy of The Superior Shave. After re-reading guides on how to attempt my first honing, I set to work with a smaller razor that I recently found at an antique mall. The razor in question is in good shape, though as dull as a butter knife. After much perserverance and work, some due to the small size of the coti, I managed to put what I thought was a good edge on the blade. After thoroughly stropping I decided I might as well give it the only test that really matters, so I lathered up the good old MdC and set to work.

Granted, I had another razor, nice and sharp, standing by to take over if my own handiwork proved insufficient, but to my surprise it was one of the best shaves I've ever had! Some of that is probably due to the fact that I paid more attention to technique than normal, but I'm confident enough to say that my first honing experiment was a genuine success! Of course it remains to be seen if I will be able to duplicate this success, but that's a story for tomorrow.

[SliceOfLife]

Really the main issue I've ever had with coti's is when I get hasty and try to rush dilutions. If you keep your stones size in mind and make sure not to do that... it's a pretty reliable method of honing even for beginners.
Congrats on the honing and shave.

[Krodor]

Don't it feel good to shave with your own edge?

[Galengwath]

Don't it feel good to shave with your own edge?

Yes. It feels immensely satisfying.

[ouch]

Don't it feel good to shave with your own edge?

That's the name of the game.