Thread: Razor sharpness

Welcome.
If your stropping technique is off it can dull your edge fast.
Chromium Oxide is and abrasive for sharpening.
Poor stropping on CrOx will ruin a good edge in no time.

While it is good to get a commercial strop, as hinted by the guys at B&B, many different materials can be used successfully for stropping. The thing about newspaper is that the inks contain finely ground pigments (probably carbon black) that help polish the blade. However, many natural materials contain very fine silica particles.

Any clean leather can be used: horsehide, cowhide, pigskin, kangaroo, etc.

Many types of fabric can be used: linen, cotton, denim, polyester, etc. as long as the weave is uniform. I have stropped on my pants leg, or on my shirt at time, even though I have a couple of commercial strops and several DIY ones.

If you think about it, you skin is a type of leather. Some people strop on their hand...just be sure you do not cut yourself.

Welcome to the world of straight razors.

The hangig hair test is only relevant if both the hair and blade are clean of oil or waxes(like the one from cromium oxide)

As the good people above have said...stropping can be done on multiple material. Clean leather is the prefered choise though.
Cromium oxide will refresh the edge a long time until someday it wont and you will need to send it for rehone.

Another important thing about keeping the edge longer is wipe... strop and oil imediately after finishing the shave.
The edge is sutch a fine thing...it can oxidize very quickly.
Wiping it removes water and foam...stroping it dries it and refreshes the edge...and oiling it prevents oxidation during storage.

Also make sure your stropping technique is correct.
Have fun!