Thread: Can't wait!

My blade just started to tug...I decided to put it down and not shave for a few days. I finally decided I needed to pick up some gear to maintain the razor.

I want to wait on getting a Norton set so I sprung for a barbers hone (it says 12k but I will be fine with any grit towards the high end) and a balsa strop with CrO and iron oxide. I can't wait to refresh the blade and get a nice fresh shave again!

side question...after hitting the barbers hone and the CrO, should I use the iron oxide side or just let it be? On here it looks like most people just use the chromium oxide.

Good move! So what Barber's hone did you get? Grit ratings are all over the place on most! CroOx is super. Good question on the Iron Oxide.
I have never used it. perhaps someone will come along who has?

The crox is usually about .5 micron and the iron oxide is about .1 micron. So the progression would be hone, crox then feox. I take it this is from whipped dog?

That is what I understand. However, as soon as I stropped a razor on FE, the gray was coming up in a few laps. Scared me off.
Perhaps I overpasted? On Balsa! Been CroOx pasting on balsa for many years. Never saw that! Seemed strange?

Yeah that sounds strange I've only used mine a bit but still haven't seen any grey yet.

I'm getting a Chinese 12k from whipped dog and the balsa, you are right. I'm thinking this maintenance schedule should hold me until I can justify a 3" wide strop and a Norton set.

Do you think the 12k will still refresh after the blade has been degraded a little?

Originally Posted by Jmchugh

I'm getting a Chinese 12k from whipped dog and the balsa, you are right. I'm thinking this maintenance schedule should hold me until I can justify a 3" wide strop and a Norton set.

Do you think the 12k will still refresh after the blade has been degraded a little?

You might get lucky - but it might take some work. In theory I think it should, but every stone is different and every person holding the stone is as well.

Good luck - exciting!! Let us know how you get on!

I'm resigned to the fact that there might be some hiccups in the beginning, but learning what does and doesn't work is half the fun i suppose.

I traded a razor for the stone so if I wreck the edge I will have to go grizzly for a bit while I wait for a pro to hone me back to life.

Thanks for the encouragement!

I'm with David your 12k should work but you will be trading time and laps for the convenience of a lower grit stone.

Ditto what Ed and Dave are telling you.

I'd like to add that I found it *eminently* helpful to watch honing videos if you aren't already. gssixgun and Lynne Abrams have great videos that I frequently revisit.

It will give you a bit of confidence on how to start.

Also, for me, personally, I would like to know how the razor was originally honed. Was it originally honed with tape on or tape off?

Regards,