Straight Razor Honing - Coticule Dilucot with a synthetic bevel set. Sweet, simple and effective.

[@BigEShaves]

This is a follow up to my Coticule one stone hone video. Not any type of tutorial, just a discussion. Most of my coticule honing starts at 3k then Dilucot, it’s easy and it’s fast. Here I use my 1.5k to perform a much needed bevel set on a China Razor. Let me know what’s your favorite bevel setter?

[@RobertsClassicShave]

❤❤❤

[@BigEShaves]

Thanks Robert.

[@longhaultanker]

I couldn’t agree more, setting the bevel is critical. Using a synthetic to get to a set bevel is not to be scoffed. One stone honing is certainly an achievement, but so is a synthetic to natural finish.

[@BigEShaves]

The bevel is your foundation, it’s easy to get wrapped up on what to finish on, if you have no foundation, you’re just polishing a turd. Thanks for watching bud.

[@borbelyhaz321]

Hi Eric. Great demo. Loved it when you said don't feel bad if you can only afford a king stone. Have a good rest of your week

[@BigEShaves]

I think we all started on King due to affordability. I got good edges off that 1/6 for bevel and mid. I still use it from time to time. There are better but a king can get you there for sure.

[@lawrence1md]

I have one of Jarod’s plates. I’m still chasing that sharp but smooth shave. Great video Eric!

[@BigEShaves]

Good deal, let me know if you need any help. One tip is really don’t need to shape a bunch of synthetics. A medium sized Coti at 6’ will do just another everything you need.

[@lawrence1md]

@@BigEShaves I need to get a sacrificial coti to shape it. If I only knew a guy : )

[@BigEShaves]

@@lawrence1md I can point you in the right direction 🤣

[@lawrence1md]

@@BigEShaves point away brother!

[@billm.2677]

Nice honing. Finding a good edge evaluation while in process is super helpful. It was frustrating for me early on, going through a whole process until “the shave test” and having crummy results but not knowing “where” in my process I fell short. While I used a thumb pad test for years on knives, razors always scared me. I eventually learned to get reasonable feedback this way on razors. I recall reading that if my bevel was set properly, I should be able to shave off a 1K edge 😮. I never did get any of the stuff these guys were smoking or drinking get anywhere close to that working for me. 😅

[@BigEShaves]

I didn’t shave off the bevel setter a few times, I never really learned anything from it. It shaved, it’s not as good at my finisher, but I knew that would be the case before I done it. I have confidence, and consistency with popping are hair and your peanut test. The other stuff is too much shit for a nickel to me. If I am shaving, I razor enjoy it.

[@michaelkuper8268]

Great vid Eric. Get well soon!💪

[@BigEShaves]

Thanks Mike

[@Bamaboyshaving]

Really enjoy your videos. Get better soon

[@BigEShaves]

Thanks bud

[@dnamol]

Hi Eric, I don't have anything fancy right now, I am trying to survive on a Norton 4/8k combo. However, I think I will try the idea from Jarrod's video the other day and get some oak (easier to get than maple back home) and then 3M lapping film to get a convex beavel set. Then, to follow up on a coticule (flat or convex) to shave ready. Regards Johan

[@BigEShaves]

People have been using lapping film as an effective and affordable option for years. It all does the same thing, just getting you to finishing stage. I thought that video was great. I love seeing open minded approach, you can learn a lot. I know I do. I have never tried lapping film or Chromox. But I plan to get some to give it a go, why not?

[@dnamol]

@BigEShaves Absolutely agree. Live and learn. But I must confess that there is a special pride, or joy, in my own mind to get a comfortable shave from a stone dug up from the ground. But that video was interesting. Noted that the gentleman was going edge first.. I wouldn't have tried that without seeing it first on lapping film, I thought it was just edge trailing.. see, I learnt something new. Now, to get back home and try it. Cheers

[@longhaultanker]

You cannot only survive but thrive with a Norton 4/8 stone. It is a very capable stone.

[@dnamol]

@longhaultanker Thanks, Leon. When I started, that was the only stone you were said to need.. then I took a hiatus for 15 years when I used a DE, and now things have changed.. but it seems to get the bevels I need. Now, I am trying to learn from the ones with more experience. BTW, happy birthday (better late than never..) again.

[@JD_Str8RZR]

I haven’t quite gotten the hang of one stone honing yet. I’ll keep practicing but usually I end up just like this, 1.5 Shapton then Dilucot. Works just fine for me, as I figure out my technique.

[@BigEShaves]

If you have a really nice and fine coti. That bevel setting stage can be a challenge. With some it’s just not worth the head ache. I have a couple, I just go to 3k and make my life easier. I can still have fun with dilucot.

[@seanstapelfeld]

Great honing sección, that razor looked keen! Coticules get a bad rep, I’ve been honing for about a year and a half now and the first year of my honing I was terrified of the coticule. I remember Martin told me get a coticule you will love it, it’s not as bad as people make it out to be… and I bought a little coticule stone. I’m so glad I kept pushing through because now they are probably my favorite stone to use. I will probably do most of my honing like you showed in this video but at least I know if I go in vacation I can take my little coticule stone and do a bevel set to finish if needed. Always great videos Eric! Cheers

[@BigEShaves]

Yep, like we talked before you pushed me to do the one stone approach video. My favorite is going to 3k to Coti, you get that perfect bevel, but it’s low enough where you can entertain yourself with a little slurry play, and yield outstanding results. I mean that’s what this is about right, get a shaving edge, relax and get some much needed entertainment. If it sucked, why do it?