Thread: finishing on CrOx?

I'm doing well with my honing...I've been at it for a few months now and can usually get a razor right where I want it. However, I wanted to check with you guys to see if I'm in the ballpark. After I get through with my Nani8k, I head over to the pasted strop. It ends up taking me something like 80 laps on the strop to get the edge right where I want it...is that normal?

When I was using a pasted CrO strop to finish razors, I would
usually do about 10 laps, and never more than 15. It sounds
as though you might not be getting all the way there with the
hones, which would mean that excessive laps on the paste
may be giving you a more `rounded' edge that doesn't last as
long.

Don't take my word for it though, I'm sure someone who has
more experience with pastes will chime in.

- Scott

I don't own a Naniwa 8k so I can't help you on that stone specifically. However, there is no hard and fast rule regarding pastes and the number of passes because there are many variables at play: honing, type and grit of the stone (abrasive aggressive e.g. diamond and therefore potentially "harsh" or abrasive less aggressive e.g. garnet or mica?), etc.

A hundred or even several hundred passes on plain newspaper is a technique I've employed with success at the final stage of honing or re-honing. But for chrome ox, the number you've mentioned does seem high.

However, again, you can't say an edge finished on a D8EE would require the exact same number of passes on a chrome pasted strop as an edge finished on a coticule to get to an optimum shaving comfort level should you feel the need to go further. That's my stance and two cents. IMO debate is always welcome on this subject.

Also, you say you're getting the edges where you want them in the end. If so, are you trying then to see if there is an area earlier on in the process that you need to troubleshoot?

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Also, you say you're getting the edges where you want them in the end. If so, are you trying then to see if there is an area earlier on in the process that you need to troubleshoot?

Chris L

As an example: I picked up a razor from an antique store the other day. It had a good bevel on it as it would pass the arm test, but that was it. I ran it through its paces on the 3k and then the 8k and I know from having done this progression before that the 8k will shave well, just not as smooth as I like it to be. My only concern is rounding off the edge. Now when I'm touching up a razor after previously having been shave ready, yes, it only takes a few swipes on the 8k and about 10-15 laps on the crox, so I know I'm doing something right. Think maybe it's time to get a magnifier so I'm not just going by feel or intuition.

Are you using a hanging strop with the chrome ox or a paddle strop of some kind? If paddle strop, what material?

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Are you using a hanging strop with the chrome ox or a paddle strop of some kind? If paddle strop, what material?

Chris L

handing strop...2" latigo

I would say that amount is a bit much.

Last week I tried similarly. I had been honing an old Sheff that just didn't want to get better. I had only recently tried CrO and then only 10 or so laps-as this is what I'd heard most say on a couple other razors.

This time I just kept going ~70 lineal feet per side (could convert to your strap length to keep apples with apple)

I did not like the result. It might be wrong to say too sharp; but it did not feel comfortable on my skin. I tried another similarly; a known great shaver that need a touch up. They both felt harshy- v very sharp but a little overdone.

both have since been fixed by 40 strokes on 6 inch coti.


Could you hazard a guess how long that razor had sat uncared for before you found it still cutting hairs? Interesting huh? it is to me

It can be a misconception that if an edge does not shave well it needs finer grit. I think you would do well to lightly joint and bring it back from 3k. yep, i think it can help most to just start over especially a new found vintage.

Maybe plenty of 3k when you see with magnification. (think 10 minutes or a lil less because you've already shaved and found nothing disastrous)

I don't picture rounding in my mind's eye. I am not slack stropping or applying much pressure. I picture instead that it is pulling the edge out thinner.

which is how the edges felt to my follicles: weak and flighty. and ready to cut ya.

From my work I find a few backstrokes mixed in especially near the finish line really smooths up the feel off the stone. I used DD no. 1 finished on 8k(shap pro) daily for +couple months so I know with the right razor 8 can shave great without paste. without just the right razor 8k needs refinement, or so it seems from here. But less than 20 I'd hope.

I would proceed with caution using a hanging strop and chrome ox; the slack factor even if slight coupled with the highly effective abrasive effect of chrome ox can quickly lead to what Kevin is describing and I would consider to be in the definition of "overhoning".

I'm much more comfortable using a paddle strop when experimenting with bumping up the number of passes or additional sets of passes using chrome ox after test shaves.

Chris L

red96ta,

Like you, I used to shave off the Naniwa 8k, but the edge was slightly lacking. I used to use 0.5 micron diamond, then CrOx to refine the edge somewhat.

I later added a Naniwa 12k as a finsher after the 8k (in a 3, 8, 12 progression), and it made life a lot better ! (Some use the Shapton 16k after the 8k with good results)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ