Still struggling to get HhT3 directly off coti

[BakerAndBadger]

I was wondeing, all seems to be ok with my technique. Setting the bevel well, taking my time with precise regular strokes. Finishing on water with NO pressure other than the blade's own weight. So I was wondering where am i going wrong.
One thought is that my coti isn't as polished as it could be. I lapped it recently and only used 320 grit. Should I lap it and then polish it with finer stuff? I'm doing Unicot and it's a big improvement on my edges but still not perfect.
All help is welcome as I believe that I should be getting the ultimate edge from the ultimate coticule!

 

[Woodash]

Try a vintage; 60% garnet minimum.
...whoops!

 

[Mike H]

I had (occasionally still have) the same problem. This thread has some good advice.

 

[Doc226]

Unicot method is relatively easy compared to the dilucot. I would make sure you are doing enough laps on water only and apply no pressure. Also I find it very helpful to watch the fluid wave in front of the edge to make sure it is being undercut.

Of course you can give it 40-50 laps on oil after you finish on the water.

The beauty of the unicot is it will eventually turn into a single bevel with honing.

 

[paco664]

Try a vintage; 60% garnet minimum.
...whoops!

i see what you did there.. .......


i hardly ever get a good HHT off the stones.... but after i put the blade to leather....

 

[BakerAndBadger]

I tried the oil last night right after posting the question and after 60 x's I got HHT3 straight off the stone. Now I pit a couple of drops on my coti and then spread it out, did 30 x's and then tested - already a great improvement so I did another 30 and this time added a little water to make things even more slippy and bobs your uncle!
Oil is now gonna be a big part in my honing routine, thanks for the info.

 

[paco664]

I tried the oil last night right after posting the question and after 60 x's I got HHT3 straight off the stone. Now I pit a couple of drops on my coti and then spread it out, did 30 x's and then tested - already a great improvement so I did another 30 and this time added a little water to make things even more slippy and bobs your uncle!
Oil is now gonna be a big part in my honing routine, thanks for the info.

wait till you try diamond spray.....

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Diamonds are too much for my wallet. I'll have to wait till the tax man reimburses me later in the year, that way I'll slip it under the missus' radar!

 

[Giant Kiwi]

wait till you try diamond spray.....

I did that.....
Mental sharp

 

[Doc226]

I tried the oil last night right after posting the question and after 60 x's I got HHT3 straight off the stone. Now I pit a couple of drops on my coti and then spread it out, did 30 x's and then tested - already a great improvement so I did another 30 and this time added a little water to make things even more slippy and bobs your uncle!
Oil is now gonna be a big part in my honing routine, thanks for the info.

Nice.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

I'm getting a strange urge to share the news on the other forum:

Ultimate Coticule, Ultimate Edge, Ultimate Finishing Medium....... Sunflower Oil.

just so I can get banned from somewhere! (that's not a prompt to ban me from here btw)

 

[Disburden]

Try this experiment...
rub a hard bar of soap on the dry coticule and hone on it and see if your hht goes up.
It feels horrible but it actually worked for me...

 

[life2short1971]

Yep like Disburden said. Beeswax works as well. Also you may be using too heavy a stroke as well. Have you tried finishing as lightly as possibly under a heavy drip or light stream from the faucet?

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Yep like Disburden said. Beeswax works as well. Also you may be using too heavy a strike as well. Have you tried finishing as lightly as possibly under a heavy drip or light stream from the faucet?

Scott, can you confirm what you mean by "Strike"? FYI, I've not tried under the "tap" (Farah is the only Fawcett I know )


Edit 1: I guess you mean stroke. Well I use normal pressure when setting the bevel single leg strokes, slightly less after first dilution (again single leg strokes), tape the spine, light to no pressure for secondary bevel setting on thinner slurry (x's), and even lighter/weight of razor for x's on water.

Also how do you get the beeswax off the coti? Does soap work?

 

[fccexpert]

HHT is pretty much a parlor trick. Does the razor shave well. If so, it's honed.

 

[life2short1971]

Scott, can you confirm what you mean by "Strike"? FYI, I've not tried under the "tap" (Farah is the only Fawcett I know )


Edit 1: I guess you mean stroke. Well I use normal pressure when setting the bevel single leg strokes, slightly less after first dilution (again single leg strokes), tape the spine, light to no pressure for secondary bevel setting on thinner slurry (x's), and even lighter/weight of razor for x's on water.

Also how do you get the beeswax off the coti? Does soap work?

Yes I misspelled 'stroke" my apologies
As far as the Bees wax it may take something more like turpentine or wd-40 to remove it. If the stone is only used for finishing it won't bother anything to leave it. I may even have removed it with a slurry but its been a while since I tried it and I don't remember now. Whats left on the stone is just a very thin layer that shouldn't be any trouble to work over. When I used the the beeswax i softened it in a small container with a bit of Turpentine (the good high quality stuff)over night and it went on like butter. Then let it sit a little while and really works well especially with coarser coticules.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Thanks Scott, I use my coti for everything, I even take it to shopping and to restaurants from time to time. I think my missus is a little jealous as I treat it almost as well as her - gentle caresses with wetndry and rubbing it with oil and ooooooh sorry! But seriously this is my one real hone so I'm gonna steer clear of beeswax for the time beeeeing!

 

[life2short1971]

Your welcome! I understand and its great you are enjoying the simplicity of a single hone. Disburdens suggestion of soap, oil and finish honing under running water are all proven methods for a keener edge so one should work for you.and a lot of times the less the pressure the sharper edge as well if you make the bevel barely touch the hone. There is the odd duck that likes a wee bit of pressure the last 4-5 strokes though.

 

[squirrelmaster]

Beeswax and turpentine huh? I already have some of that mixed up for wood finishing. I have a few Coti's I may have to try this on one.

 

[Disburden]

You can also coat the surface with wax from a tea light or small candle and use it that way. I like rubbing a dry shave stick on the hone and then rubbing it even with my hand until it coats the Coticule. then you will hone on that, it's hard to control and it will cut a layer of soap off the hone but the results become very sharp.