Diamond paste or Cro oxide?

I'm sure this has been addressed before but I was unable to find my answer. If that's the case, sorry, but here it is again.

When, or under what circumstances, would you use chromium oxide and when would diamond spray or paste be preferred? Is it purely a personal preference or are there other factors involved?

Thanks, I'm learning a lot from this forum and certainly appreciate everyone's willingness to help. I gotta tell ya, the overall attitude here is very impressive.

Thanks,

Bruce

It is all personal preference

I've been told that Cro Oxide give a more gentle edge because the particles are round and that the diamond paste results in the feel of a sharper more agressive edge. But it is a matter of personal preference for each individual. I use Cr, others like diamond paste. Lynn uses the diamond.:)

Sometimes with some very hard steels the diamond is faster and does a better job. In the end though there are many choices so guys use what works for them.

They all do the job if you use them right, I would get the crox because it is cheaper. I used both, liked them both, maybe the diamond a bit better, personal preference. The majority of people like crox more than diamond.

I've used both in the past and it's all really personal preference.

I like CrOx over diamond as I find the diamond leaves a slightly harsher edge, but that's just me I guess...! :)

Gents, what platform have you been using for your sprays/pastes? Felt? Linen? Webbing? Balsa? Is there a guideline for number of strokes? Any pressure?

Many Thx for your kind help.

Guys, thanks for your thoughts. It appears the choice truly is a personal preference. I got some chromium oxide from Larry Andreassen at WhippedDog.com so I'll stay with it for now, but would like to try the equivalent diamond spray later on.

I'm looking forward to seeing the answers to pinklather's questions.

Bruce

I had the best results with leather and felt on a flatbed hone, 10-15 light laps. If the edge is not there, than 5-10 more light laps until it feels good.

skyguy,

I use 0.5 & 0.25 micron diamond spray on hard-wool felt for my TI C135 razors. The steel on these is quite hard (ca 63 - 65 Rockwell C). I also use these diamond sprays on my Spyderco UF bench stone for more agressive touch-ups.

These diamond sprays cut fast and I tend to go very easy on their use.

For me, 0.5 micron CrOx powder is probably the most useful and used of my 'polishing abrasives'. I use it on a hard leather paddle strop - I just rub the CrOx powder into the surface of the leather (cowhide or tallow tanned leather) and brush off the excess. I also sometimes use cerium oxide dusted onto a hard-leather paddle.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Or....0.125 CBN. Try it you will like it. About 4 or 5 laps on felt impregnated with CBN.



Take Care,
Richard

Richard, where are you finding the felt and the CBN?

I was doing 10 laps last night with it. Almost no pressure. 'Don't know if you use any pressure or not. The benefit was as you say - a touch more keenness that is NOT at the expense of smoothness. 'Very nice.

I get my best results day in and day out with .5 diamond spray on felt. 10 light X strokes and in most cases, nothing else is needed. That said, Chromium Oxide on felt with the spray or on the back of leather or the webbing strop is also very consistent and does a nice job both in refreshing and at the end of a honing regiment.

Have fun,

Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pinklather

Richard, where are you finding the felt and the CBN?

I was doing 10 laps last night with it. Almost no pressure. 'Don't know if you use any pressure or not. The benefit was as you say - a touch more keenness that is NOT at the expense of smoothness. 'Very nice.

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I got the first piece of felt from SRD. I got the felt that normally goes to the modular stropping unit. I then found someone here selling a piece and snagged it. I got the CBN from a vendor JENDE The more I use it the more that I like it and I am happy with the edges that result, so why change? I am boring. I just want to get a really top notch, smooth shave.

Take Care,
Richard

I've been trying the .5 diamond/hard felt from SRD lately on my own razors, and I'm getting really nice results from it. I quite like the feel.

What's CBN? I'm not familiar with that. 'Course, I'm not familiar with much of anything! But I'm here to learn.

And what kind of felt do you suggest and where do you get it?

Bruce

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skyguy

What's CBN? I'm not familiar with that. 'Course, I'm not familiar with much of anything! But I'm here to learn.

And what kind of felt do you suggest and where do you get it?

Bruce

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I believe it's Cubic Boron Nitride.

I use both 0.5 micron diamond and CrO both on balsa. 10 round trips with the diamond and 20 with the CrO. I have no idea if this is optimum, but it always works for me.

I have Cerium Oxide on order, and will let everone know what I think.