Thread: What to use between TI White and CrOx?

I have a natural combo (blue/yellow) coticule on the way, I have a four-sided paddle strop, some TI white paste and some Hand-American Chromium Oxide powder. I am thinking of getting some diamond pastes and have a couple questions:

1. Since the TI white paste is 10k in grit, would it make sense to go to that off of the coticule?

2, What would I use between the TI white paste and the Chromium Oxide?

3. Would a diamond paste, negate the coticule smooth edge?

Some believe that using a paste gives you a paste edge and not a stone finished edge.i agree with that assesment.if i use pastes i go cro ox to iron ox.cheers.ymmv.

It does change the edge from an edge that is made by the stone to one that is by both stone and paste, and then after enough strokes to the edge that is all a product of the paste abrasive. This doesn't happen on one stroke, but gradually with multiple strokes. So if you want to try it out and you like the coticule smoothness, try only one or two laps, then test the shave, then one or two more, and test the shave, etc. There may be a spot in the middle between the finishes that you like best, or there may be one extreme or the other that you prefer (all or mostly stone finished edge, or all or mostly paste finished edge).

If this helps, my razors are TI's in the new C135 steel.

Originally Posted by ShaveWares

I have a natural combo (blue/yellow) coticule on the way, I have a four-sided paddle strop, some TI white paste and some Hand-American Chromium Oxide powder. I am thinking of getting some diamond pastes and have a couple questions:

1. Since the TI white paste is 10k in grit, would it make sense to go to that off of the coticule?

That would depend on what your goal is. Is the razor shaving well off the coticule ?

2, What would I use between the TI white paste and the Chromium Oxide?

I don't see any need to even go to the CrO. The TI paste is sold as a final polish IIRC.

3. Would a diamond paste, negate the coticule smooth edge?

It would depend on how you use or abuse the paste & as I said before what your goal is.

I suggest you isolate your experiments to a single paste before using them in sequence . If your edge is good off the stone you may find "less is more."

I usually go from my coticule to plain leather and shave, but it depends on the coticule you get and how good you get to know it, I'm using my initial coticule most of the time for the past year or so and I have to atmid that I am still not getting consistent results on it I always get a shavable edge but sometimes I get such a supurb edge that 15 min after shaving I might think I still need to shave, basicly because my skin was not agitated at all due to the shave

so if you want to use a paste, go ahead, you probably get more consistent results that way. A single one of those pastes is all you need

Do realize that a pastes strop changes your edge geometry from a pure V shape to a convex shape and consequently a touch up on your stone using plain water will be non effective

As an experiment, I have used pastes on different razors DAILY for almost a year now with no ill effect at all. Is it needed? No. It is an experiment. Has it hurt anything? No. I use a pasted balsa paddle strop with CrOx and then progress on to FeOx.

Feel of a razor's edge on the face is a very individual thing. Five guys could shave with the same sharp edge and three might say it was great, one say it was not bad and the other say it was harsh. It's very dependent on your individual skin/sensitivity and even hair growth patterns - random is very bad for sensitivity.

This is one of the reasons why so many guys always want to try new pastes and hones etc. You have to find what works best and is most comfortable for your skin and beard.

Originally Posted by Bram

Do realize that a pastes strop changes your edge geometry from a pure V shape to a convex shape and consequently a touch up on your stone using plain water will be non effective

I did not know that! Thank you.

The convexing of the edge would happen long after the razor was due for a honing unless you are heavy handed.

An experiment with pasted strops fyi :
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...xperiment.html