Well, I finally got up the nerve to try my new coticule (No.68). I followed the unicot method after watching Bart's video a few dozen times and even printing out the directions to have nearby. And just as Bart predicted, I took this Griffin 5/8 all the way to a shave...and did not go through days of practice. Initially I had the stone lying on the table as I raised the slurry, but I quickly switched to holding in my hand I began to put blade to stone. I spent about 45 minutes with it going through the various stages and eventually finished it and took it upstairs to shave with it. It felt smooth throughout the shave, with no pulling or tugging, and it cut hair, but not very well. It could be my technique, but I suspect it needs some more work on the stone. I will likely draw it across a glass and start over, but I am not disappointed. I feel much less anxious about honing and I know that I can develop a feel for it with some practice. It is, after all, just some steel and a rock. Thank you Bart and Coticule.be for the encouragement and tips.
Nathan
Nathan