bad news :(

[Bart]

Being in the moment...

You know, I don't use a coticule (sorry guys...don't hate me because most of my hones are man-made!)

Of course we don't hate you. It's more something of a deep pity we take on those who hone in the absence of a hallowed Coticule. For they stumble like a blind crippled man in a basement with a broken staircase...: :

But don't despair my friend, salvation is nearby, as you already know.
(all good fun aside, I'm sure you have hones at your disposal to create impeccable edges on your razors)

but I too have a sense of being in the moment when I hone, especially lately.

I've been getting honing lessons (I call them honing lessons, but they're more like life lessons) from my barber. He's taught me a little about pressure, and some strokes and the like, but his greatest emphasis is on two things: your body's relationship to the hone, and your mind's relationship to the hone. You have to center your body, the hone should be aligned with the core of your body--and you have to center your mind. Be free of anger, irritation or frustration, and just hone. He actually said to me the other day, he said "Hone happy, and the edge will cut happy." Of course he is right, as any fool can see--after they've been told that, of course.

I believe no people on Earth have ever been more successful in mastering skills by using spiritualism to glue craftsmanship and art together to something that surpasses the sum of its parts. Honing razors is a process that lends itself very well for that, regardless of the tools one is using to do it.

And Bart, give my regards to Stumpy.

Will do. It's healing as well as can be expected. Doesn't hurt as much anymore, although the stump is still hypersensitive. But I can already hone hand-held again.

 

[Bart]

When the unicot method is so simple and effective, what are the advantages of Dilucot? I have yet to master it to any degree, and my attempts so far have resulted in me taping and finishing ala unicot, so are the results worth the effort?

As far as shaving is concerned, their is no advantage to Dilucot over Unicot, or a progression through other hones before finishing on a Coticule. The Unicot method produces the best results you can get on a Coticule. Period. With Dilucot at its best, you can match those results, nothing more, nothing less.

But Dilucot isn't exactly rocket science either. This thread has meandered into discussing the "Zen" of honing, and the Dilucot method offers just that. It's a very pure and earthly way of honing a razor. You just hone a razor from start to finish on one pieces of natural stone and in the end you shave with an edge than can easily measure up to any high-tech edge created with multiple tools and techniques. I can't even begin to explain what's so appealing and rewarding to that. I believe one either gets that, or one does not. And there sure is nothing wrong with not seeing the point.

Apart from the philosophical reason, some people do not like to have a secondary bevel on a razor. There is no physical reason to justify such a stance, but when honing upon request, I am not going to make an argument out of it. Unicot remains "experimental" in the minds of many and they prefer a razor honed in a traditional fashion, without creating a secondary bevel. The Dilucot method offers just that.

As far as having success with it is concerned: I can hone as fluently as I can strop. I believe that is a key element for getting the best out of the Dilucot procedure. I've seen guys try it with very slow, insecure honing strokes, and while they got fair edges in the end, they could still easily be made keener with a quick Unicot finish (steps 5-7).

Does that shed some light on the matter, Ralfy?

Kind regards,
Bart.

 

[garyhaywood]

I prefer the traditional bevel for the reason being i just do but i also no unicot method is very quik and easy and for some one very slow at honing dilucot method could take for ever and if there strokes are a little of then the result will not be as good as could be i find it relaxing but at the same time it can leave me feeling quite mentaly tyred because of the concentration level needed. My stroke are fearly quik now so i don't mind the dilucot method and like bart says try it and if not shaving that well just perform unicot stage 5,7 and that won't fail. i shown my mate the unicot method on his razor that was'nt quite up to par it took 20 minutes and he said the shave was amazing. of the hone i was passing hht no problems. of the hone on dlucot method i manage to pass but not as well untill i have stroped. But the thing is once you have done the dilucot method you only need to do it once after that its just touch up on plain old water in most cases.

 

[tat2Ralfy]

Ah I see its the state of mind :love: and the no tape touch ups

Thats very cool I just thought I was missing something, so if I find the time (because my honing is not scary fast just err prompt) then the Dilocut is the one, if i just want a great edge and want to shave with it asap the unicot has gotta be the way, and for wedges I guess? because the double bevel makes honing a wedge a whole lot easier?

 

[justin]

Thats very cool I just thought I was missing something, so if I find the time (because my honing is not scary fast just err prompt) then the Dilocut is the one, if i just want a great edge and want to shave with it asap the unicot has gotta be the way, and for wedges I guess? because the double bevel makes honing a wedge a whole lot easier?

My thoughts exactly. For me Dilucot is something I'm slowly going to work towards. In due time.

I prefer the traditional bevel for the reason being i just do

I used to think so too, but now I have nothing against the idea, it really does make a whole lot of sense. And it's so easy! I understand your apprehension though, it does sort of feel like cheating. Kind of like using pastes. : Just joking of course.

Being in the moment...

You know, I don't use a coticule (sorry guys...don't hate me because most of my hones are man-made!) but I too have a sense of being in the moment when I hone, especially lately.

It's cool, as long as you use Japanese hones. : Just kidding. We're all working towards the same end, we're just taking different paths.

 

[davek]

Hi Bart,
I hope the healing process is going as well as possible. I just registered yesterday to your website, however I appreciate all of the time and effort you have put into this great site, not to mention fast responses to my e-mails over the last couple of days. I have enjoyed the "zen" and "zen like qualities" comments in regards to honing. I have been a practicing zen Buddhist for 14 years and am currently training for the priesthood. Many members here have hit it on head. When you hone, just hone. Same thing with doing the dishes (or driving a car). This refers to being mindful of each thing you do, moment by moment. As part of our western culture, we tend to get ourselves into multi-tasking frenzies. We loose the vivid awareness of just doing what we're doing in the present moment. That's why meditation practice (zazen) is so important to my personal physical and mental health. We all need to take the time to simply appreciate our lives. We really can't take care of others until we learn to practice good self-care. Please take the time you need, heal, rest, sleep and enjoy every minute of your wonderful life.
Wishing you all the best,
Dave
ps: I hope this doesn't sound too preachy. I've learned this the hard way myself!

 

[tat2Ralfy]

Very Cool Dave
and welcome from me

 

[davek]

Thanks Ralphy. This seems like a nice place with a kind membership. I like it here!

 

[davek]

Sorry about that Ralfy!

 

[tat2Ralfy]

Not a Problem Dave,
I agree, its cosy here and we all seem like good guys
Just be sure to avoid reading the thread I started about Coticule advice on SRP..
Hahahahahaha

 

[justin]

Welcome to the forums Davek! It's interesting that you practice Zen Buddhism. Personally, I'm not a religious person, but if I had to choose a religion Zen Buddhism seems to make the most sense to me. I don't know much about it, but it's focus seems to be in the right place.

 

[Bart]

ps: I hope this doesn't sound too preachy. I've learned this the hard way myself!

Not at all. That was a very nice post, mindfulness indeed is one of the big challenges in the Western life style. I have a shortened finger now to remind me of that on a daily basis. I believe the art of life is to walk on with something positive, regardless the originating event was a joy- or painful one. Your post sums my lesson up most eloquently.

I contacted Ardennes Coticule for you about n°9. Maurice got back in touch, just minutes ago, that he'll look into it on Tuesday (tomorrow is a holiday in Belgium).
Expect him to be in touch later this week.

Kind regards,
Bart.

 

[davek]

Thanks for looking into that stone for me Bart.

Good to know Monday is a Belgian holiday. It gives me an excuse to have a Belgian Ale in celebration!

 

[garyhaywood]

Thats very cool I just thought I was missing something, so if I find the time (because my honing is not scary fast just err prompt) then the Dilocut is the one, if i just want a great edge and want to shave with it asap the unicot has gotta be the way, and for wedges I guess? because the double bevel makes honing a wedge a whole lot easier?

My thoughts exactly. For me Dilucot is something I'm slowly going to work towards. In due time.

I prefer the traditional bevel for the reason being i just do

I used to think so too, but now I have nothing against the idea, it really does make a whole lot of sense. And it's so easy! I understand your apprehension though, it does sort of feel like cheating. Kind of like using pastes. : Just joking of course.

i was looking at a zowda article and he adds double bevel on all is razors i just prefer in the way i can do touch with out taping and for ever where as double bevel you'd have to start again at some pointnot that it would take that long but just latley i've been liking the unicot method i can realy feel the sharpnes using the tpt straight away and hht passes no bother keeness is reached so easily i find so long as the bevel is set well and shaving arm hair well this method once tape is added works every time.i'm going to hone my razor with dilucot method test and shave then i'm going to start again with unicot and test and compare the differance on the same razor . i may let my mate shave with it on both a cassions and see what he reakons i won't tell him what method i have used

Being in the moment...

You know, I don't use a coticule (sorry guys...don't hate me because most of my hones are man-made!) but I too have a sense of being in the moment when I hone, especially lately.

It's cool, as long as you use Japanese hones. : Just kidding. We're all working towards the same end, we're just taking different paths.

 

[tat2Ralfy]

Gary. I didnt understand that last post of yours? which were quotes and which yours, you lost me mate....lol

 

[Jantjeuh]

Wow Bart, I just read this, I hope you are well and wish you the very best recovery!

 

[StraightRazorDave]

Oh wow, I just read this as well. I had no idea that happened, I'm sorry to hear it. I really hope that all is going well now and I trust that it is healing well.

 

[Paul]

Put me in the just read this club too, Bart. I'm sorry for the loss, but it's good to see you're not letting it keep you down.
:thumbup:

 

[mitchshrader]

I think you should tell attractive women it's a war wound.

I've fallen into your site with great grinning pleasure, and having the knowledge base here will undoubtedly help many people shortcut their experimenting.

It's already given me the nerve to consider using straights as feasible, not to mention given employment to a hone or two. If you don't watch it, you and Stumpy will have a fan club. Get well soon.

 

[tat2Ralfy]

Mitch, man up, Grow a pair (jk), and dive in Buddy, get a shave ready razor, dull it LIGHTY on glass, knock up a light slurry on a coti and unicot away buddy! whats the worst that can happen???
You know you wannna.
Come on in the waters fine