Thread: Chromium compound

I noticed that Woodcraft stores carry a .5 Chromium Oxide compound for buffing wheels. Has anyone tried using this on a leather bench hone? I used to use jeweler's rouge on leather for cutlery, but this is going on my face. Any thoughts? It's rather expensive, but there seems to be enough there to last into my next life!

I believe there are several members here that are fans of the 0.5 micron chrome oxide.

Now where would they be?

I finish all of my razors on a bench hone pasted with CrO2. Don't know about relative costs, but I'd suggest checking www.handamerican.com
Keith has a chromium oxide formulation (liquid) that goes on easily and washes right off anything (hands, countertop...etc). He also sells it as a dry powder, but as I've never used it, I cannot vouch for its efficacy.

Just another data point,
Ed

I've used the chromium oxide from HandAmerican that comes in a 2oz tub. I'll never need to buy it again since a very tiny bit of it goes a looooong way. I believe it is the dry compound and I found it easy to apply. Just wear gloves because it will create a mess on your fingers as you rub it into the strop or bench hone (unless you like green fingers ).

I would second the recommendation to get it from Keith at HA. First, his prices are very reasonable, I think, and second, I like to support our members whenever possible.

Washable is a good thing if you have every woprked with this stuff. Like fireplace soot it gets on everything. I have used Keith's before and it works well. Mixing your own works too as I do but not worth it if you only need a personal supply. The powder is messy until mixed with something.

Go for the pre-mixed.

Tony

Did somebody say "fireplace soot" ????

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Did somebody say "fireplace soot" ????

Yes indeed, potash (primarily potassium) is abrasive and could probably be used to paste a bench hone. However, the relative grit would depend on how complete the combustion of the wood was. Even with complete combustion, I would not have a clue as the the relative abrasiveness.

If you're really trying to shave on the cheap, go ahead and try it...the only thing you've got to lose is the cost of a piece of leather on a bench hone (which is probably more expensive than a lifetime supply of CrO2 from Keith).

Cheers,
Ed

I would highly recommend the dry green from Keith at Handamerican. It's all I'll ever need, and it was the key to being able to finally hone up a razor from dull to splitting hairs.

-Jorge

OK, I ordered the green compound from woodworker.com yesterday, not having seen this thread, and not knowing that an SRP member sold this stuff. That said, I got an email today saying that the compound was back-ordered until April 5th. I called them wanting to cancel that part of the order, since I didn't want to wait that long for the compound, and I figured I'd get it from handamerican.com. They told me in fact they did have some in their New Mexico warehouse and they'd ship it Monday. I'll check handamerican out next time. Also, how would you know what they sell? I went to www.handamerican.com and it's a static page with no links and no products shown. Do you simply know they have the items because of the these forums? What else do they carry? thx - John