Honed my first razor using the Unicot method. It wasn't the smoothest shave i've ever had but i could shave with it. I think i messed up on one of the steps so i'm going to try just using it with just the water and no slurry to bring it up to snuff. Still though i was glad to finally get a straight from unshavable to shavable on my own.
First try using the Unicot method
- Thread starter Walker
- Start date
Great feeling, isn't it?
It takes a little time to get the hang of the Coti...once you find your stone's sweet spot (like lather), she will perform beautifully
. Key are # of laps and backing off the pressure as you are getting to the X-strokes.
Congratulations on your first honing. Can you elaborate on what you're not happy with? What was the problem that you had (and at which step)?
I had some issues when I was starting out on coticules and using the unicot method. One step that I was making a mistake on was the very first one by using the down stroke to dull the razor. Once I made sure the razor didn't shave arm hair I had much better results.
- Thread starter
- #6
The part i messed up on was the step were you stop doing the back and forth strokes and start doing the X strokes after the razor starts cutting hair. I did another set of back and forth strokes instead of the X stroke. (does not follow instructions). It's a shame too because it seemed like the razor was really starting to pop hairs. Chaulk it up to experience i guess, or lack there of.
- Thread starter
- #7
Yes, it is!!
Congrats. You will find that once you get it down, those coticule edges are among the smoothes edges you can get. When you finally get a successful Unicot, start going for Dilucot and if it doesn't come out just right, proceed to add the tape and Unicot. Eventually, you will find that you don't need to do the final tape stage anymore!! Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try
If you find that you lack some sharpness after the final strokes on water only, do some laps on CrOx, balsa or leather, that will usually tune the egde just right. And the feeling will be very near that from a "coticule-only" edge.
Keep the tape on while stropping on CrOx.
I found when first learning to hone on a coti that smoothnes comes easy, but the hard part is to get it sharp enough.
And for me some laps on CroX helped. After all, you do want to shave with it.
Eventually you won't need tape or CroX.
A perfect coti edge is amongst the best there is IMO.
And do enjoy the feeling of getting a good shave of a blade you honed yourself, very satisfying
Keep the tape on while stropping on CrOx.
I found when first learning to hone on a coti that smoothnes comes easy, but the hard part is to get it sharp enough.
And for me some laps on CroX helped. After all, you do want to shave with it.
Eventually you won't need tape or CroX.
A perfect coti edge is amongst the best there is IMO.
And do enjoy the feeling of getting a good shave of a blade you honed yourself, very satisfying
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for the tip with leaving the tape on while stropping on CrOx. I decided to do the unicot method over and got a lot better edge than before. It shaved a whole lot better than before so it is good to see i am moving in the right direction anyway! Thanks guys for the help
If you find that you lack some sharpness after the final strokes on water only, do some laps on CrOx, balsa or leather, that will usually tune the egde just right. And the feeling will be very near that from a "coticule-only" edge.
Keep the tape on while stropping on CrOx.
I found when first learning to hone on a coti that smoothnes comes easy, but the hard part is to get it sharp enough.
And for me some laps on CroX helped. After all, you do want to shave with it.
Eventually you won't need tape or CroX.
A perfect coti edge is amongst the best there is IMO.
And do enjoy the feeling of getting a good shave of a blade you honed yourself, very satisfying
