Thread: Think I finally got it right!

Well, I've been shaving with my Dovo Bismarck for about 8 months now and I think it finally got my edge just right last night.

I currently own a Norton 220/1000 and 4k/8k, as well as a Naniwa SS 12k. I have been trying and trying to get the edge just right recently after refreshing has ceased to do the trick any longer.

I decided to just go ahead and follow both Lynn's and Glen's YouTube videos on honing with the Norton 4/8, and the Janorton thread/videos came in really handy. Thanks again for that resource guys!

So I went ahead and did Lynn's 40 circles method on the Norton 4k, it took a few rounds of 40 with pressure and 40 without pressure to get the bevel feeling the way it is described using the TPT as well as checking to see if it shaved hair decently. It did seem to, I'm still not 100% sure I got the bevel exactly right but I was fairly certain I was good to go up the progression.

So I went ahead and did a 4k/8k pyramid, I hone with the stone in my hand and it went extremely well, this was not my first time so I think the limited experience I have did help. After the 8k I went to about 10 or 15 light, weight of the blade strokes on the Naniwa 12k, after Which the bevel was looking beautiful, mirror finish, no bad spots or inconsistencies that I could see....this is where I have stopped in the past and moved onto stropping.

However my last few shaves have been pretty uncomfortable, I have been a bit dumbfounded by it since my honing technique seems adequate, as well as my stropping technique. I have used CrOx in the past but it never seemed to do anything at all so I dropped it from my routine, it was micro-fine honing compound that I bought off Amazon.

So I decided to pickup a CrOx crayon off SRD's website which says it is the same high quality CrOx that Mastro Livi uses. I got it in The mail yesterday and it was much softer and more potent smelling than the one I had previously bough, I applied it sparingly to my black linen strop and gave my razor about 10 passes after the Naniwa 12k and HOLY CRAP!!

I can see why so many people swear by finishing on CrOx paste after a honing regimen, it seems like I just needed to get the good, high quality stuff. I can't wait and look forward to using it from now on for refreshing as well....it will be interesting as well when I can afford it to try finishing on like a 16k or 30k Shapton, I wonder if that would produce the same comfortable results as the CrOx.

Congratulations!

My CrOx (from Maggard) experience is just developing, as I'm working with a handful of razors. I got all excited, pasted a strop "freshed" all but one of my shaving razors...and found I made at least one edge more harsh. SO I've got to study my routine and start to tweak it for each razor-as the razor demands.

I started at it wrong-way-'round though. Used razors of various edge conditions from non-shaving sources. But then i like a challenge.

MY new favorite razor developed a buttery sharp edge (BSE) with CrOx, but I'm just learning my coticule (after 4/8Nortis).

New, used horsehide strop arrives today. that'll muddy the waters...and then there's this zulu...

Rambling yes, blame it on weak coffee, but the point to my rambles is: Enjoy! and remember how you got there but don't be surprised if another razor refuses to comply with that regimen.

Recently read an article on polishing, “The Now and Zen of Metal Polishing” were they stated much of the “Chrome Oxide” for sale does not even contain any Chromium Oxide or at least is not pure, and contains other abrasives to “polish” metal quickly.

And that may be ok for other applications where the objective is simply polishing metal.

For edge finishing particle size and composition/purity is critical.

So recently I looked at the composition of some Chrome Oxide stick at various hardware and woodworking stores and some do not even list Chromium Oxide as an ingredient or claim it to be Chromium Oxide, rather label it as “Green” buffing compound.

I would strongly recommend purchasing Chromium Oxide for razors from a quality razor supplier, the cost is not much more and a one-time purchase will last a lifetime for most.

This has been said here and other places many times in many threads and as you have found the results are dramatic.

Glad you figured it out.

thanks for the replies! so glad i found the high quality CrOx and finally got the keen edge I've been looking for

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I would strongly recommend purchasing Chromium Oxide for razors from a quality razor supplier, ...

"Maggard Razors" of Adrian, Michigan is to whom i was referring, in case you are referencing my post.

I agree, know your sources and the suitability of their goods.

Originally Posted by Boarder277

So I decided to pickup a CrOx crayon off SRD's website which says it is the same high quality CrOx that Mastro Livi uses. I got it in The mail yesterday and it was much softer and more potent smelling than the one I had previously bough, I applied it sparingly to my black linen strop and gave my razor about 10 passes after the Naniwa 12k and HOLY CRAP!!

I can see why so many people swear by finishing on CrOx paste after a honing regimen, it seems like I just needed to get the good, high quality stuff. I can't wait and look forward to using it from now on for refreshing as well....it will be interesting as well when I can afford it to try finishing on like a 16k or 30k Shapton, I wonder if that would produce the same comfortable results as the CrOx.

Here we have another Mastro Livi's chromium oxide crayon adept!
Once you use it, you are not going to use anything else for your razor! I tried many chromium oxide pastes in the past, but the day I bought and tried Mastro Livi's paste, I threw away all the rest and bought another crayon.
To me, it simply is the very best chromium oxide paste available.

Well, I "got it right" on one razor so far. The whole stable will shave, but one is SPLENDID! Going nutz trying to repeat that edge on other razors. Exciting and disappointing at the same time.

i know what you mean...i had another, older razor that i just couldn't get sharp enOugh....finally i sent it to a pro....but i have absolutely no problem honing my new Dovo Bismarck

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Well, I "got it right" on one razor so far. The whole stable will shave, but one is SPLENDID! Going nutz trying to repeat that edge on other razors. Exciting and disappointing at the same time.

Keep in mind Razors will not all take the same edge.
This is why you hear about razors liking certain hones, now don't read more into this than I am saying.
For instance the Naniwa SS set up will sharpen any servicable razor to shave ready but the blades may feel different, still shave ready but different.

Originally Posted by pfries

Keep in mind Razors will not all take the same edge.
This is why you hear about razors liking certain hones, now don't read more into this than I am saying.
For instance the Naniwa SS set up will sharpen any servicable razor to shave ready but the blades may feel different, still shave ready but different.

I have one razor that is just a PITA to hone to an acceptable level. It is now my test razor for hones as if it gets a nice edge the rest will excel.