Thread: How much improvement can I get with chromium oxide?

William

Much of razor maintenance and especially honing is problem solving. First you must uncover the problem. You can just bevel set and completely hone all razors that begin to flag and even then some/most razors will thwart your every effort until you determine the source of the problem. So first find out why your razor is not shaving. Most edge problems with novice shavers are caused by improper stropping. Stropping does take some time to learn.

A new unhoned razor is always suspect and a complete bevel set may be needed, I certainly would do so. But you may miss an opportunity to learn about an edge creation and maintenance.

Chrome Oxide is not magic dust or paste for that matter. It is an excellent polisher that I am sure you will not regret purchasing, though not expensive. It can be put on almost anything and get good results, leather, nylon, cotton, wood even plain paper or cardboard. I have achieved best results with Polyester Canvas and weaved Nylon.

Unless the bevel is properly set, where the two bevels meet completely in a straight edge and the entire edge is sharp, polishing that bevel does not reach the edge and it may take many, many laps with CO2 to create an edge. And if stropping was the cause, chances of success are slim.

So if the razor is lacking in shave quality, first inspect the edge to ensure there is an even edge. Look at the edge straight down with magnification and strong light. A sharp bevel will appear fuzzy, any shinny spots on the edge reflecting light is where the bevels are not meeting. HHT will only tell you that one hairs width spot where the razor touched a single hair is sharp, not the whole edge. There is a good You Tube video on this here