Thread: Should I implement a routine using Crox and diamond paste?

I have a Chromium oxide pasted felt strop and a diamond pasted felt strop. I use them after honing on my 4000/8000 stone. My question is, should I implement a routine using these stops between honings. I was thinking maybe few passes once a week. What do you guys recommend?

I have a routine where I use a felt strop to keep the edge in stellar shape between honings. You could look at it like using a barbers hone. Once or twice a week is all I need and it works very well. The number of laps is dictated more by how the razor feels when shaving and experience will eventually get you to a point where you will know the frequency that you need to strop it. I personally don't like diamond pastes but to each his own.


Take Care,
R

Originally Posted by riooso

I personally don't like diamond pastes but to each his own.

Yeah, I find my diamond pasted strop produces very Crisp, almost borderline harsh edges, so I only use it very rarely. My CrOx strop gets more use though...I will usually do 15-20 laps when I start to feel the razor pulling a bit...

I don't see a need for a "routine".

When the edge starts to feel dull after stropping -- and not before then -- do a few passes on whatever has the finest grit.

And when that doesn't work, use the next-finest grit.

And after that doesn't work, the hone.

. Charles

It's according to "what you like".

Diamonds (I have a pasted/sprayed strop) will help to maintain a razor as they have a bit of cutting power. I have a crox pasted nylon strop as well. If I were you, I would strop on diamonds to refresh an edge, then go to the crox strop (wiping the blade clean to ensure no cross contamination) to smooth out the edge as a diamond stropped edge can be grabby for some.

Try out different ways and see what YOU LIKE.

And you may want to check out CBN,stuff is amazing on Balsa.

I think experimentation should be your guide on this. Try going until the razor performs poorly before pasting. Then try more frequently and see if that makes a difference.

I don't think it would harm your razor. However you may want to use the paste sparingly.

Michael

I'm with the camp that says only hone when necessary.

I have a couple of diamond strops and a CrO and used to use them but these days rarely do. It's just as easy to do a few passes on a hone when necessary. With some razors CrO will smooth things out as a final vehicle. Similarly the diamond works good on some razors with really hard steel but can leave a harsh edge especially if you go above .50