Damn Comfortable Shave

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

My Saturday shave was successful so yesterday's coticle honing was successful too.

This is the Torrey razor I honed yesterday on my new rectangular coticle from Superior Shave.

The edge shaved sharper than it felt. I'm not saying it seemed to be lacking in sharpness as I shaved with it, but it certainly didn't feel as sharp as it behaved. The edge seemed also both smart and comfortable. It was a pleasing shave and a successful edge.

Since this was my first and only coticle edge I don't know exactly what to think. In all fairness the razor was already decently sharp by my standards of two or three weeks ago. It was already in my rotation. I was only trying to get it even sharper and to find out what a coticle edge is like.

It was a highly successful experiment I think.

If there is any one thing I've learned about putting a sharp edge on anything, it's this: Getting a great result is easy. Duplicating those results is the hard part.

This edge had not been stropped on any pasted strops after the coticle honing. Only on linen and leather. Certainly a nice enough edge it was today. I can see why people say the coticle edge might not be the very sharpest of all edges. I can also see why people say the coticle edge is both sharp enough, and has characteristics and qualities which make it a great edge.

All that said, I realize this is my only coticle edge and I've only used the coticle once, but I can and will use it again soon.

My shave today was a good bit less leisurely than most of my Saturday shaves. I wanted to finish up and visit with friends who'd dropped by. I hurried through the shave and maybe did a bit less work than usual. My shave wasn't perfect but I believe it was better than it had any right to be. That's a very good sign for this edge.

I'm very grateful to @Seveneighth for enabling me. I would have eventually acquired a coticle but he pushed me into buying one while they were a relatively good deal at Superior Shave. I think I got a good stone. I also appreciate all the information I was so easily able to find because of all the good folks talking about coticles here on B&B.

Good kit all around.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[dundak]

Congrats on the nice edge. That’s what I’ve found with coti edges. They are deceptively sharp and comfortable.

Now it’s time to play with slates. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[albsat]

I don't see you using the plastic Mondial. Are you not enjoying that brush?

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Won an auction.

It's an "exceptional quality “Vintage Cushion Strop-Back Hone”, RazorSharpener in Original box which measures 5 ½” X 2” with a Honing stone on one side and a Leather pad on the other." Link.

Don't have any real idea that it will be a great thing to have and use, but I thought maybe it would be quite useful.

I have a bid in on another very similar item which I might like even better than this one.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I don't see you using the plastic Mondial. Are you not enjoying that brush?

I have lots of brushes and don't want to short change the ones I like the most.

The plastic handled Mondial is a very nice brush. The more I use it the more I like it, and I liked it just fine the first time I used it. It's not quite as dense (maybe) as the aluminum handled Mondial boar. The plastic handle itself is the best plastic handle I've ever seen; it doesn't seem cheap or crummy in any way. The knot is also very nice - soft, enough backbone, very functional. A really good knot.

Here's its picture from the 9th.

Yes, I am enjoying it. It will be up in the rotation in the next few days.

It is continuing to lose a few bristles. I want that to stop soon, but it's a minor point. I'm not talking a lot of bristles and I've had other brushes lose this many early on and then become non-shedders.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[albsat]

I have lots of brushes and don't want to short change the ones I like the most.

The plastic handled Mondial is a very nice brush. The more I use it the more I like it, and I liked it just fine the first time I used it. It's not quite as dense (maybe) as the aluminum handled Mondial boar. The plastic handle itself is the best plastic handle I've ever seen; it doesn't seem cheap or crummy in any way. The knot is also very nice - soft, enough backbone, very functional. A really good knot.

View attachment 963273

Here's its picture from the 9th.

Yes, I am enjoying it. It will be up in the rotation in the next few days.

It is continuing to lose a few bristles. I want that to stop soon, but it's a minor point. I'm not talking a lot of bristles and I've had other brushes lose this many early on and then become non-shedders.

Happy shaves,

Jim

It looks great too. I Iike it a lot. I wonder how their badgers are as well in quality.

My aluminum Mondial loses a hair randomly too but nothing to worry by my side.

 

[Seveneighth]

My Saturday shave was successful so yesterday's coticle honing was successful too.

View attachment 963232

This is the Torrey razor I honed yesterday on my new rectangular coticle from Superior Shave.

The edge shaved sharper than it felt. I'm not saying it seemed to be lacking in sharpness as I shaved with it, but it certainly didn't feel as sharp as it behaved. The edge seemed also both smart and comfortable. It was a pleasing shave and a successful edge.

Since this was my first and only coticle edge I don't know exactly what to think. In all fairness the razor was already decently sharp by my standards of two or three weeks ago. It was already in my rotation. I was only trying to get it even sharper and to find out what a coticle edge is like.

View attachment 963235

It was a highly successful experiment I think.



This edge had not been stropped on any pasted strops after the coticle honing. Only on linen and leather. Certainly a nice enough edge it was today. I can see why people say the coticle edge might not be the very sharpest of all edges. I can also see why people say the coticle edge is both sharp enough, and has characteristics and qualities which make it a great edge.

All that said, I realize this is my only coticle edge and I've only used the coticle once, but I can and will use it again soon.

My shave today was a good bit less leisurely than most of my Saturday shaves. I wanted to finish up and visit with friends who'd dropped by. I hurried through the shave and maybe did a bit less work than usual. My shave wasn't perfect but I believe it was better than it had any right to be. That's a very good sign for this edge.

View attachment 963236

I'm very grateful to @Seveneighth for enabling me. I would have eventually acquired a coticle but he pushed me into buying one while they were a relatively good deal at Superior Shave. I think I got a good stone. I also appreciate all the information I was so easily able to find because of all the good folks talking about coticles here on B&B.

Good kit all around.

Happy shaves,

Jim

After eight months of using coticules I still have doubts about how sharp they should be and what constitutes a good coti edge. As you say, based on pure sharpness, they shouldn't shave nearly as well as they do. The proof is the comfortable close shave they give.

Some coti edges come up sharper depending on stone and honing method used. There is something reassuring with the duller edges that you can take more liberties. Kind of useful if you are shaving in a rush, half-asleep, first thing in the morning!

 

[Somerled]

Glad the coticule is working out Jim!

I just love using mine and the possibilities with using them seem endless.

 

[Clay S]

Kind of useful if you are shaving in a rush, half-asleep, first thing in the morning!

Does not sound like the time I would* should pick a SR Just saying.

*I was slightly in a rush when I thought I elongated my earlobe.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

More coticle honing today.

Two victims.

This one is a Double Duck Shorty. Acquired from johnloc on eBay it was actually shave ready (I shaved with it). However not too long ago, I screwed up and forgot that essential bit of information; I honed it on the Ark finishing stone without going back to bevel setting. Bad mistake. I thought about shaving with it off the Ark as an experiment but decided not to.

Today I honed it on the new rectangular coticle.

I began with water and slurry and followed (more or less) the dilucot method. Did I reset the bevel doing that. I'm not 100% sure, but maybe. We'll see. That was round one of honing the shorty.

Next, I took the shorty back to the stone (which I cleaned after the water honing). This time it was honed with my Dilucot Oil Honing Method (like yesterday's honing). By the end it seemed pretty sharp. I'm not sure if it's "right," but I know how to find out.

Next up was this little Torrey. It's 9/16". It was previously honed on the Ark some weeks ago and fairly sharp after going to the pasted strops but not quite sharp enough by my current standards. The bevel had been set then, etc.

Today it was coticled with oil and the DOH method. I believe it came out sharp, but, again, we'll see.

Both razors were stropped 50 laps on linen and then 50 times on horsehide.

I enjoyed the honing. Assuming good results this is my favorite stone so far. It's just plain old interesting and enjoyable to use.

Happy honing and happy shaves to you,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

After eight months of using coticules I still have doubts about how sharp they should be and what constitutes a good coti edge. As you say, based on pure sharpness, they shouldn't shave nearly as well as they do. The proof is the comfortable close shave they give.

Some coti edges come up sharper depending on stone and honing method used. There is something reassuring with the duller edges that you can take more liberties. Kind of useful if you are shaving in a rush, half-asleep, first thing in the morning!

Glad the coticule is working out Jim!

I just love using mine and the possibilities with using them seem endless.

You gentlemen have been super helpful to me. Thanks so much.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

It looks great too. I Iike it a lot. I wonder how their badgers are as well in quality.

My aluminum Mondial loses a hair randomly too but nothing to worry by my side.

Hey, buy a Mondial badger and let me know. I'd guess they're great but I don't recall any review of one.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Does not sound like the time I would* should pick a SR Just saying.

*I was slightly in a rush when I thought I elongated my earlobe.

I'm less afraid of the SR than I used to be and far more confident in my skills and habits with it, but I wouldn't be grabbing it if I were in a big rush. One of my mythical goals is to be able to shave in the dark with the straight razor. Sometimes that's a necessary skill in the padded room because Big Nurse has the power turned off.

Spoiler: Yes...

Rules are rules. When Mike @Esox and Rave @Raven Koenes are in the padded room they have real problems. Fortunately, I can go by the rules of the room, but they end up with stubble.

Big Nurse does not like stubble.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Esox]

Rules are rules. When Mike @Esox and Rave @Raven Koenes are in the padded room they have real problems. Fortunately, I can go by the rules of the room, but they end up with stubble.

Yet another reason for using an MMOC. It takes longer for it to grow back.

 

[Clay S]

View attachment 963338

I'm less afraid of the SR than I used to be and far more confident in my skills and habits with it, but I wouldn't be grabbing it if I were in a big rush. One of my mythical goals is to be able to shave in the dark with the straight razor. Sometimes that's a necessary skill in the padded room because Big Nurse has the power turned off.

Spoiler: Yes...

View attachment 963341

Rules are rules. When Mike @Esox and Rave @Raven Koenes are in the padded room they have real problems. Fortunately, I can go by the rules of the room, but they end up with stubble.

Big Nurse does not like stubble.

Happy shaves,

Jim

Well, I have learned managed to turn off the light switch with my elbow while straight shaving. Watch the nose, lobes, toe, and heel. What! Have to watch the elbow too.

 

[Seveneighth]

Well, I have learned managed to turn off the light switch with my elbow while straight shaving. Watch the nose, lobes, toe, and heel. What! Have to watch the elbow too.

Watch 'em elbows!!

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Sunday's shave was experimental.

My plan was a bit different because I was very unsure of this edge. It was honed yesterday, including resetting the bevel, on just one stone, my new rectangular coticle.



I had in readiness another newly coticled razor, my little Torrey. I was kinda sorta thinking I might need it and/or I might do half my face with each razor.

The super great edge on the Double Duck Shorty convinced me to stick with it. I didn't need to get a stellar shave today because I have nothing going which requires one, but it was important to me to see if the edge I created on my coticle yesterday was decent enough. I was particularly worried about the razor's heel which seemed to me to be lagging behind the rest of the blade in keenness when I checked it with my thumb pad.

Not to worry. The entire edge was very sharp and comfortable and forgiving and smart. This is one great stone!

The was only a little feedback from the alum block; I mostly use alum on occasion to check for feedback in order to evaluate the shave.

Seems to me - this is for you Rave @Raven Koenes and for you Joel @Johnnynroy - Special Reserve pairs well with Veritas. Rave, you need to try a Grooming Dept Lusso based soap. On Monday - that's tomorrow, at 11 am PT - there will be a soap released. Grooming Dept soaps are not easy to grab, so register on the website and be ready to purchase shorty before the bell rings.

Did I mention how much I like this coticle?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Twelvefret]

Sunday's shave was experimental.

View attachment 963638

My plan was a bit different because I was very unsure of this edge. It was honed yesterday, including resetting the bevel, on just one stone, my new rectangular coticle.

View attachment 963637

I had in readiness another newly coticled razor, my little Torrey. I was kinda sorta thinking I might need it and/or I might do half my face with each razor.

The super great edge on the Double Duck Shorty convinced me to stick with it. I didn't need to get a stellar shave today because I have nothing going which requires one, but it was important to me to see if the edge I created on my coticle yesterday was decent enough. I was particularly worried about the razor's heel which seemed to me to be lagging behind the rest of the blade in keenness when I checked it with my thumb pad.

View attachment 963645

Not to worry. The entire edge was very sharp and comfortable and forgiving and smart. This is one great stone!

View attachment 963639

The was only a little feedback from the alum block; I mostly use alum on occasion to check for feedback in order to evaluate the shave.

Seems to me - this is for you Rave @Raven Koenes and for you Joel @Johnnynroy - Special Reserve pairs well with Veritas. Rave, you need to try a Grooming Dept Lusso based soap. On Monday - that's tomorrow, at 11 am PT - there will be a soap released. Grooming Dept soaps are not easy to grab, so register on the website and be ready to purchase shorty before the bell rings.

Did I mention how much I like this coticle?

Happy shaves,

Jim

You’ve inspired me to corticulize me one up for tomorrow.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

You’ve inspired me to corticulize me one up for tomorrow.

Good deal. We're on the same page.

Honed a little American steel razor a little while ago.

It's actually a nice looking 5/8" razor.

I was in somewhat of a hurry because I wanted to get a sub before turning on the afternoon pro football (that's real American football, lads).

I got the job done (I believe) in about twenty minutes using only one stone, my new rectangular coticle.



Once again, I used my Dilucot Oil Method. I'll have to shave with the razor to be sure about it, but the edge seems very sharp. It was stropped on linen and leather (50 laps on each strop). Today, I used no circle strokes on the stones (forgot them).

The entire process was probably slow for some experienced honers, but it was fast for me. Twenty minutes on the stones stone. Easy as pie.

To be fair, the blade isn't even a tad wonky and had I think been previously honed by me including bevel setting. Actually, it's possible I'm wrong about that in which case I maybe should have reset the bevel or something, but I did what I did.

I need to keep an actual honing journal somewhere, but will I?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Yesterday's honing was rather experimental. Link.

Today's shave was another in my learning curve shaves.

In the grande scheme of things that's not very many SR shaves, but it's all I've got, and growing. However, as a test of one of yesterday's edges and an experiment it was a big success.

Following yesterday's coticle honing of two razors I was concerned about two things.

• The heel of the Shorty did not seem like the rest of the edge going by the thumb pad test; maybe a minor matter.
• The bevel of the Double Duck Shorty needed to be reset. Resetting a bevel without using the burr method is something I've never before successfully accomplished. Besides that, this was my first attempt to do any sort of one stone progression from bevel setting to finishing, as well as my first coticle bevel setting attempt.

The Shorty was a success. I am not 100% sure I nailed the edge of the little Torrey either, but time will tell the tale.

Happy shaves,

Jim