squeezyjohn
Well-Known Member
I think I am finally getting the hang of this coticule malarky.
A few weeks back I got a couple of stones from Ardennes - a La Petite Blanche and a Nouvelle Veine, both small 125 x 30mm ones. To start with I just concentrated on the La Petite Blanche because I've seen all the great stories about razors sharpened on them and settled on a routine of trying to do dilucot - but taping and unicotting if the results weren't good (Sticking to my Revisor as well). The La Petite Blanche stone feels very abrasive all the time and works very fast - and I hadn't been getting great results so tonight I switched to the Nouvelle Veine one. I think I prefer it (or maybe it is more forgiving).
It feels almost shiny on the surface, but with slurry it darkens after a set of half-strokes so must be working fast enough. With this one I can feel what's happening in a Dilucot much better - the stone seems to suck the blade like a vacuum when it's ready for a dilution and tonight's dilucot was a winner. I had given up on the HHT, blaming my hair for being too fine, but like most things it was my skill to blame - and tonight I was surprised by the heel end of the blade getting HHT 4 (popping) - the toe end was playing violin after stropping. I can't wait to shave with it tomorrow!
Another thing I noticed tonight. I've taken to moving the stone more than the razor with these small coticules; my right hand holds the razor with my elbow resting on the table while my left hand moves the stone with minimal movement from the right hand. That way I find it easier to watch the bevel the whole time and keep it in contact with the stone. Does anyone else do this? Is there any reason why I shouldn't?
Cheers
Squeezy
A few weeks back I got a couple of stones from Ardennes - a La Petite Blanche and a Nouvelle Veine, both small 125 x 30mm ones. To start with I just concentrated on the La Petite Blanche because I've seen all the great stories about razors sharpened on them and settled on a routine of trying to do dilucot - but taping and unicotting if the results weren't good (Sticking to my Revisor as well). The La Petite Blanche stone feels very abrasive all the time and works very fast - and I hadn't been getting great results so tonight I switched to the Nouvelle Veine one. I think I prefer it (or maybe it is more forgiving).
It feels almost shiny on the surface, but with slurry it darkens after a set of half-strokes so must be working fast enough. With this one I can feel what's happening in a Dilucot much better - the stone seems to suck the blade like a vacuum when it's ready for a dilution and tonight's dilucot was a winner. I had given up on the HHT, blaming my hair for being too fine, but like most things it was my skill to blame - and tonight I was surprised by the heel end of the blade getting HHT 4 (popping) - the toe end was playing violin after stropping. I can't wait to shave with it tomorrow!
Another thing I noticed tonight. I've taken to moving the stone more than the razor with these small coticules; my right hand holds the razor with my elbow resting on the table while my left hand moves the stone with minimal movement from the right hand. That way I find it easier to watch the bevel the whole time and keep it in contact with the stone. Does anyone else do this? Is there any reason why I shouldn't?
Cheers
Squeezy