Thread: A Little Bit of Chromium Oxide

I want to thank Chris L and to recommend him to anyone contemplating getting chromium oxide powder. I ordered some from him late last week and he mailed it out promptly; it arrived yesterday and came with a nice set of instructions.

Since I've been home sick and I didn't feel like going out for balsa wood, I just put a little bit of the chromium oxide on some newspaper and put my Wapienica to it, about 10 laps. Then, I did about 40 laps on a hanging leather strop and shaved. Some of you may recall from my other posts that I've been struggling to get my Wapienica beyond just serviceable. I'd been getting good shaves with the Norton 4/8 k but I couldn't quite get the edge where I want it. I haven't been having good luck finishing with the 12k, but I may have been undoing the work with poor stropping technique. Or, it might be that my strokes are not entirely consistent for the hundred or so laps required. Anyhow, using the chromium oxide (plus refined stropping technique) put the shave quality of the edge to the next level. That was one the closest shaves and certainly the most comfy shave I've gotten yet with the Wapienica, nearly on par with my shave ready Aristocrat. I still have much room for improvement but, it's exiting, being able to bring an edge to that level. And it puts my mind at ease, knowing I don't have to stress over my razors going slowly dull. Making a balsa wood paddle strop is next on my agenda.

So thanks again, Chris!