Thread: Cerium Oxide for smoothness

I didn't want to raise an old post from the dead, but I thought CeOx really deserves a little more love 'round these parts...

I recently started using the high quality white "Super Cerium" on hard felt after CrOx. About 10-15 laps, and man it is a smooooooth shave. All my razors have gotten the treatment. If you go this route, just make sure it's the pure white kind; the beige/pinkish stuff is less pure and has a higher micron rating.

Same here, the 99.99% stuff rocks for smoothness, but it does NOT improve sharpness, much like some of the fine finishers the edge has to already be "there" to obtain the improvement..

Myself I have always felt that is why it isn't that popular, as it doesn't "improve" the edge it only "enhances" an already great edge..

Originally Posted by funtown

I didn't want to raise an old post from the dead, but I thought CeOx really deserves a little more love 'round these parts...

I recently started using the high quality white "Super Cerium" on hard felt after CrOx. About 10-15 laps, and man it is a smooooooth shave. All my razors have gotten the treatment. If you go this route, just make sure it's the pure white kind; the beige/pinkish stuff is less pure and has a higher micron rating.

Where did you end up getting your super cerium?

Yes, it's a little to soft for touch-ups, but it leaves one heck of a polish. I actually see a slight drop off in HHT performance after using CeOx (not that it matters), but once the blade is on your face, the difference is quite noticeable. I think I actually went "oooohh" when I took my first stroke after using it on my C-Mon Blackie last week. I didn't think the Blackie could get any smoother, but cerium proved otherwise.

I got this stuff. Pricey, but worth it IMHO. 2 ounces will last a lifetime +

Super Cerium Oxide Rock Glass Polish lapidary 2 Oz | eBay

Difference from CBN anybody? I have .1 micron cbn spray.

I can't compare to CBN, but I have used .1 FeOx. I think I will go from .5 CrOx to CeOx for now and skip the FeOx. CeOx feels better to my face.

Also, I think it will be hard to compare because CBN cuts and can be used for touch ups if I'm not mistaken. CeOx isn't really for touching up... it just squeezes some extra zing (comfort wise) out of an edge that is already beautifully honed.

Would really love to hear opinions on the comparison between FeOx and CeOx

Anybody else use both? Were there any noticeable differences that would make one a better choice than the other?

I just got some Ferrous Oxide in, but have not had time to play with it. I have been using Chrome Oxide for years with nylon with great results. I then use Cerium Oxide to polish the edge, then CBN .50, .125 and .10 for a super smooth and keen edge.

Cerium will remove all the stria from the bevel and you may lose a bit of keenness, CBN .50 & .125 returns whatever you lost. .10 is just for comfort.

20 laps on .125 will bring an edge back the minute it starts to flag. I strop daily on & shave straight off the .125 & .10 edge, no leather.

Before I started using CBN a couple of years ago, I shaved off a Cerium Ox strop for years.

Here are a couple of threads, http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...d-we-take.html and Part 2 that covered a lot of this ground.

Bottom line is all these paste are great stuff, but only work well on a well prepared edge and in progression, big jumps deliver weak results. What you are stropping on also plays a very big part especially at the Nano grit ranges.

Fun stuff, Great edges.

My supplier is Lapidary Supplies, Tools, Lapidary Equipment - Delta One Lapidary Supplies

Never had any trouble dealing with this company. They have other interesting stuff also.

Like Glen mentioned above, if your edge is not perfect, all the polishing dust in the world isn't going to do you any good.