Was it the Chromium Oxide?

**rcavazos1922** · 10-25-2012, 08:03 PM

It was time to give my Boker King cutter a touch up. I did 10 laps on a Naniwa 8k and tried to cut my hair at med length. Only cut about 3 hairs, so I did 3 more laps. Tested it again, same thing. Not a good sign I thought. Moved to the Naniwa 10k and did 10 laps. Then 10-12 laps on the Naniwa 12K. I tested it again, same results. I did 5 laps on Chromium Oxide, 50 on Premium Fabric, 50 on SRD Premium IV and 50 on SRD Premium I. I didn't have high hopes for my hair test but to my surprise it was cutting hairs at med length like crazy. So was it the Chromium Oxide that sharpened the blade? I thought the blade should be cutting hair at med length like crazy after the 8k?

**DaveW** · 10-25-2012, 08:25 PM

Could be the blade, could be your technique, etc.

5 laps is pretty minimal for chromium oxide if there were any problems at the edge, it could very well have been the premium fabric and stropping (which itself should always bump a razor up 1-2 or sometimes even more notches on an HHT).

That said, I've seen Lynn say it before and I agree, I have not yet seen a stone that makes an edge that can't be improved in keenness by a few laps of chromium oxide.

**tiddle** · 10-25-2012, 08:43 PM

Okay, I wasn't sure if you were shaving hair or HHT. That's why I don't use HHT, my 8k naniwa won't hardly pass a HHT, but will pop arm hair like everything, but the 12k will dice up the HHT; it's just really not reliable. It will tell you a razor has a edge on it capable of cutting hair, but not the quality or kind of edge.

**rcavazos1922** · 10-25-2012, 08:44 PM

I wasn't doing a HHT, I was cutting the hairs on my leg at med length. I have very fine hairs on my arms so I got to use my legs. I can say that my technique is not great on the stones. So maybe it was the stropping? At least that is getting better

**mainaman** · 10-25-2012, 08:46 PM

you need to strop and test after the 12k , then do the same but use the CrO before the strop.
I'll guess it was the strop not the CrO

**sheffieldlover** · 10-25-2012, 09:05 PM

Each of those things you did....helped just a little bit... and by the end, MAGIC!

**Gammaray** · 10-25-2012, 09:12 PM

The CrO is very special; capable of superb refinement of the edge.

My routine is 40 laps on CrO/balsa followed by 100 plus laps to touch up my blades.

Here is a how-to video.

Enjoy,

Gammaray

Chromium Oxide on Balsa Straight Razor Stropping - YouTube

**Gammaray** · 10-25-2012, 09:14 PM

What I meant to say was 40 laps on CrO/balsa followed by 100 plus laps on leather.

It is the leather that really provides that extra, shave ready refinement.

**Zephyr** · 10-25-2012, 09:16 PM

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"

**thebigspendur** · 10-25-2012, 10:43 PM

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.

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