Thread: I can't quite get to shave ready...

Originally Posted by biggbadwulff

Ok, then here's a stupid question. What's a good brand of chromium oxide to buy and where can I get it?

The powder version can be bought in the classifieds section of this forum.

The paste version can be bought from Straight Razor Designs and is the same stuff Mastro Livi uses on their pasted strops.

Whichever you choose GO EASY on the stuff. You want just enough to barely see it on the strop. Don't make the mistake of turning your strop into a pool table felt look.

I'm so close I can almost taste it. My 12k stone finally came today. But I'm still waiting on the paste. I went with the Lee Valley paste because the liquid was out of stock.

I did about 50-80 laps on the 12k then about a hundred on my newspaper/Maas setup. Then I did a test shave. And I'm close, real close now. I think I'm at the stage where my blade is like 'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm', but it's hard to describe. Not only can I feel a difference, but I can still hear a difference. I keep hearing these little tink,tink noises, when I should be hearing zeh, zeh, zeh noises.

Do you have any particular rule of thumb for how many passes you make on the 12k?

I use a microscope like this one Amazon.com: Micromax 60-100x Zoom Pocket Microscope w/Light: Electronics to see when I'm there. I bought mine at radio shack (they had to order it, but can send it direct to your house for free if you order it in store.... ) and it works great.

I don't think I've ever had to go more than 80 or so passes on the 12k, but I've got a relatively fine stone before the chinese. You may have to do more. Perhaps someone who goes directly from the norton to the chinese 12k can chip in with some advice here on this one.

Or, you can try Tim Zowada's double bevel technique. Some people aren't crazy about it, but it has worked well for many others. Read up about it here. http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...o-updated.html In Tim's first post, he has a link to his double bevel method, and the rest is people's experience with it. Just remember that to use the polish on newspaper that you have to have the same number of tape layers on the razor to ensure that the cutting bevel comes in contact with the abrasive. If you use a pasted hanging strop as a touch up when your chromium oxide comes in, you don't use tape when using the hanging strop.

Also, be careful when shaving after using the chromium oxide. I know that's a "No Duh" statement, but it deserves repeating. The edge is sharp and smooth afterward, and if you use a high angle when shaving it can cut you much easier than it used to. On my chromium-treated razors, I typically keep the angle 1 to 1.5 spine widths off my face. I generally use the lowest cutting angle that gives good results, and ever since I've adopted this approach, I get much fewer nicks.

You should be able to get a decent shave right off the Chinese 12k, but the pastes will definitely help smooth out the edge.

Good luck!

I certainly hope the paste will help. The 12k has moved me a whole lot closer. I did about 80-100 passes on it. Then I did linen then leather. But I did a side by side comparison with my disposable straight with a brand new blade and it still feels like I'm a long ways away. Is this a sign that my honing technique is crap? Or that I never set my bevel right? Or that my blade is warped? Or is using pastes that much of a miracle worker?

I just got my paste today. I assume I applied it correctly. I used that Kohl strop paste that you said was a strop conditioner and applied it to my strop. It said you needed something like a hard fat to use as a binder. And I read here that you need to use something as a binder and the conditioner seemed like a good choice. Then I made some shavings off my block and mixed it with water. I used very little and it was more than enuff. Then I did about 100 passes.

Oh, and I used the double bevel method too. From what I read it sounded like it made sense. I used tape when I was setting the bevel to preserve the spine, why not more tape when I was using the polishing stone? I can already tell a big difference just from my side by side comparison thumb pad test with my disposable straight. I just have to test shave it now.

I think it was gugi who said it was strop paste, but since it's made in Germany, they probably did stick to the color scheme - ie. Yellow = strop paste. When it was said that you needed a carrier, some people say that you need something to mix the powder chromium oxide in so that it stays better. I believe you got the bar chromium oxide, which typically doesn't need a carrier, for me at least. However, it shouldn't hurt a thing.

This is a pic of a razor edge finished on the chinese 12k:



Here is one with Chromium oxide, 10 laps:




Thanks to T. Zowada for the pics.

You can see that the edge is dang good after the 12k, but great after the Chromium oxide.


You have all the tools necessary to get these results now - if not, then technique is the factor.

Remember that a great razor and poor shaving technique can feel like a poorly honed razor. A confident stroke is much smoother than an apprehensive stroke, and pulls MUCH less.

Good luck!

I just did my test shave, and I must say I'm pretty happy. I won't say my blade is up to a honemeister's level, but I just got a smooth shave off a razor that I bought dull from an antique store. I guess my next goal should be perfection.

Just wanted to update. I just had my big red truck moment. I was doing the double bevel idea and was thinking about my blade in general. Seems like there's lots of time to think while honing. I should have thought of it sooner, but I bought my blade used from an antique store. The spine was worn from the get go.

I could nearly kick myself for missing something so obvious. I knew it was there. I tape to keep it from getting worse. It's not anything that would keep it from being a good shaver, but enough to make that super smooth shave harder to attain and cost me a lot of time. So, I did three layers of electrical tape and did a pyramid. And when I did my thumb pad test, I unexpectedly cut myself. I didn't even feel it begin to cut me.

After I got the bandaid on, I could only think about how sharp that felt.

I've been having problems getting my blades sharp enough for a good shave as well. My hair is very short, so I can't do a HHT. My arm hairs are very fine, and I have not been able to pop them like is normally explained. TPT felt good. I've been getting mediocre shaves, and finishing up with a M3. I had one fantastic shave, but that was with a week's worth of growth. My daily shaves were not good at all.

Yesterday I read someone say something about holding the spine two widths off your face when you shave. Changing that angle on my face this morning made all the difference. I don't think it was my honing skills at all, but simply my technique that was bad. I'm excited to try again tomorrow.
J.

I've been working on my technique as well. It's one thing to have someone tell you how to do something, and another when you actually do it. I may be completely wrong, but I think I can hold my blade steeper than when using a disposable straight. And then when I try to use a regular straight my angle is off.

I've been wondering if anyone else thinks the same thing. It's probably a good question for the shaving section.