La Nouvelle Veine

[DG7]

After a few more experiments, I've found out a bit more of what works for me. After bevel correction is finished, I start again with a normal slurry. I start off with around 20-25 half strokes, and over more steps of dilution (around 15 or so), I'm doing around 45 circles per side. I start going to circles pretty soon. Because I'm doing a lot more strokes/circles toward the end, I'm often adding a small drop of water when I flip the razor over, rather than only adding a drop when I'm done with a set. Circles seem to work better for me, because it makes it easier for me to manage my slurry, keeping it on top of the Coticule and making sure it's being diluted properly (not too fast, not too slow). When I'm done doing the dilution, I still have a little bit of slurry on top. Then, I do around 50 X strokes. Every now and then, I'll add a drop of water, maybe 2 or 3 during the finishing. I go pretty slow there, so it's mostly to make sure it's not getting dry.

This also worked fine last night on a hollow ground, but maybe it's just easier for me to work with semi hollows. I also found that if I don't use circles, I don't get the results I want, but again, that's just me and my skill level (or rather, lack of it).

So, for me at least, the three main keys to success with my La Nouvelle Veine are doing a lot more work with a light slurry (I thought I was doing more work before, but now with a lot more, it seems better), finish with a very light slurry instead of plain water, and use circles to better manage the slurry.

 

[jfdupuis]

If yours reacts the same way as mine, I would recommend going on plain water as well after your light slurry. What I do on water is that I'll do 6-7 sets of 15-20 passes and I'll follow it up by 80 x-strokes. I also tend to add new fresh water after every set. It seems to work well for me. Before when I was just using light slurry, I would get the HHT results I was looking for, but the sound it made was a bit loud and the shave not as smooth as you'd normally expect from a coticule.

JF

 

[RicTic]

I have a La Nouvelle Veine (identified by Bart), but while it's fast with slurry, it also seems to be quite fast on water alone.
As I understand, these Coticules are meant to be extremely slow on water, but mine will turn clear water, dark, in short time.
Is it possible there is another type of La Nouvelle Veine, or could it be a different layer entirely?

Edit: First two pics in this thread here...http://www.coticule.be/the-cafeteria/topic/1214.html

You said that it's much paler in real life. Could you post some better pictures of it (i.e. with better lighting)? I'm wondering if it's actually from the slow side of Les Latneuses layer given your description of speed.

Do note that there are two types of La Nouvelle Veine cuts. See this. I think the other side is slow both on water and slurry, though.

Thanks danjared. I'll up some more photos on Saturday during the day time. I don't get home during the week till after dark and camera is poor under artificial lighting.
Interesting to know there are 2 types, but mine is definitely fast on water than it probably should be for a La Nouvelle Veine. Providing it is one.

David.

 

[RicTic]

La Nouvelle Veine in question is the narrow one in the middle.
Like I've previously stated it's capable of darkening the water without slurry.
Which as far as I know goes against what is meant to be typical for this layer.
Anyone have any experience of this and any advice how to get the best out of it with just water?

Side view;

 

[danjared]

I have something similar. I had thought it was a Les Latneuses, but now I am not so sure.

 

[Bart]

This is where determinations on sight can become tricky. Maybe I was just wrong with determining that hone as a La Nouvelle Veine. It's one of the toughest calls, because they can be confused with La Drassante so easily. Even Maurice doubts about these occasionally.

And it's equally possible that not all of La Nouvelle Veine responds the same. It's a thick enough layer to accommodate 2 or 3 Coticule slices at it's widest. I haven't fully figured out these layers yet, and I'm not sure I ever will. It's no coincidence that layers like La Veinette and La Petite Blanche are sold separately at special prices, and La Dressante, La Nouvelle Veine, La Grise, etc are not. With the former 2, due to their narrowness, there can be a constency expected in the way the hones behave. While in the latter, the intra-layer variety is considerably bigger. With La Nouvelle Veine, I've discovered at least 2 types, with La Dressante even 4 or 5. La Grise seems more consistent, even though it's a layer with good yield.

The Coticule mapping work certainly isn't finished yet. It probaly never will.

Kind regards,
Bart.

 

[DG7]

Ok, I just posted in another thread about having difficulty with my La Nouvelle Veine, so I broke it out to give it some more practice. I was trying to follow my own advice and that of others, to make sure it really feels like you're honing on glass, instead of a bumpy feeling. I accidentally sliced my middle finger open pretty good halfway through, and now it's popping hairs pretty good! I'm sure this will be a great shave in the future.

I knew it was ready when it felt like honing on glass covered in melted butter, rather than the feeling (that I've had in the past) that the stone needs more lapping. I did more work on light slurry, and did a lot of X strokes on just plain water, rinsing the whole hone after every 10 X strokes.

This turned out to be easier than I imagined, but I guess that comes with a little more experience and paying more attention to what the Coticule tells you, rather than following an instruction sheet to the letter.

 

[janivar123]

when opening your finger you know your halfway there.
I get surprised every time how easy it is... When i started i thought it was really hard

Now im not saying i get the edge i aim for but i feel im atleast close