Thread: Was it the Chromium Oxide?

The CrOx might have helped a little, but I'd say the stropping is the main reason, try shaving with the same razor every day without stropping it, you won't get many shaves before it's getting uncomfortable.

There's a reason for the expression "Stropping is king"

Typical CrO honing isn't going to do anything drastic to the edge. it will refine it for sure and give you a more comfortable shave. if the razor has serious shaving problems a few laps on CrO won't help you.

I guess I wasn't impressed by the results after the 8k. I thought it should've been sharper. Anyway, I'll test shave it tomorrow and touch up a different razor. I'll do the same routine but without the CrO. I'll then test it and then add Cro, then test it again. I thought it would be better to hone 2 days in a row, than one longer session.

I found when learning to hone chromium oxide made a huge difference.

It could turn a poor shaver to a good shaver, a stroke or two on the face is enough to determine a fail. I found chromium oxide on leather or balsa could turn a fail into a win.

Was it the cro ox that made the difference, I vote yes. Do you need to work on your honing? I vote yes.

When your razor does not pass your tests, what ever they may be, there is no point in going to finer grits. More time on the 8K or step back to a 6K again until the edge passes your tests on the 8K.
After that, then you can go to finer grits. BTW, I usually use 30 laps on the CrOx on a leather paddle strop.

Today I was honing a Lewis razor and did just that. I stayed on the 8K and then went one step back for awhile then back to the 8K until it passed my tests. That approach has always worked for me.

Hope this helps,

ok I touched up another razor, a Boker Edelweiss. I did 10 laps on a 8k Naniwa (it's the second time i've ever used it, felt "sticky") and tested it. The results weren't good so I did 10 more laps. I tested it again and it was cutting leg hair at med length. Moved to the Naniwa 10k for 10 laps. Then moved to the Naniwa 12k for 15 laps. It was cutting leg hair med length ok. I then skipped the CrO and tried out my brand new Tony Miller 2.5" Heirloom Artisan English Bridle. 50 laps on the Linen (first time I've ever used linen) and 100 laps on the leather. It was cutting my leg hair at med length like crazy .

I know it's only a touch up but I feel good. I think the stropping did make a difference and I want to see for myself how the razor shaves without Cro vs with it. So tomorrow I'll test shave both razors.