Thread: Go straight from 8k translucent arkansas to crox paddle?

well I got my crox block today and stropped my dovo with a bench strop loaded with it. The results were actually quite nice. After about 40 passes, the blade stealth-fully pinged hairs off my arm. I then did a shave test and the blade performed pretty well. Definitely a big improvement over the first shave test. I did manage to get some razor burn on my neck though.
Overall, Id say that I could probably get a few decent shaves out of this thing as it is but I'm not confident in the results. I contacted Lynn this morning about his honing services and am about to send my dovo to get some professional help from him. Once I get my first shave with a really well honed razor, then I can start my own honing journey and actually have some benchmarks to compare to. In the meantime, Im going to continue researching stones so that I can get a decent set started. I already have a few in mind. Norton 4/8k, woodworks china 12k, and some dmt 1 micron paste to compliment my cromox. Thanks for all the help!
-grant

Originally Posted by smoothfacedprince

I already have a few in mind. Norton 4/8k, woodworks china 12k, and some dmt 1 micron paste to compliment my cromox. Thanks for all the help!
-grant

Sounds like a good plan Grant. The choice of hones and getting the pro honing is on the money AFAIC. The irritation may be shave technique related rather than edge related if you're only getting it in an area of the neck. That will improve with practice IME.

Ok so far things are looking pretty good. I sent my razor to Brad to be honed and re-pinned "yeah, tapped my pin a little too hard...", I sanded down the leather on my paddle strop with some 1000 grit to rough up the leather. The leather was glass smooth and very shiny and would not hold any kind of compound. I have applied CrO to one side and will apply a 1 micron diamond spray to the other side. I also bought 3 micron diamond spray which I will apply to the balsa strop I'm currently working on. I also have a decent hanging leather strop that should work until I get bored of it and buy a better one. I think this should be adequate for a while. I guess all I have left to do is do some shaving!

-Grant