Thread: chromium oxide scratches

What about the don't? If I get sandpaper what grit? I prefer the DMt if using it is ok

Originally Posted by deejaykamoe

What about the don't? If I get sandpaper what grit? I prefer the DMt if using it is ok

I have not heard of anyone using their DMT to smooth out a piece of balsa. I guess it could be done. I just would not do it simply based on the fact that I would not want to do that to my sharpening stones. Sharpening stones are meant to lap other stones or for sharpening. Balsa does not fall into the category. I wish I could offer more of an explanation. Of course, they are your stones and you can try whatever you would like.

As far as grit of sandpaper, you can go with 1,000 to 2,000 grit. Norton and 3m make it.

Or use Micro Mesh... how I love that stuff, hardly use any other abrasive paper any more.

so now im having trouble finding a balsa block. i went to the craft store and found thin sheets, but where do they sell blocks of it?

Originally Posted by deejaykamoe

so now im having trouble finding a balsa block. i went to the craft store and found thin sheets, but where do they sell blocks of it?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...ed_balsa_strop

You will not find blocks so get the thickest possible or find something to back it. The link above gives one possible way to make a pasted balsa paddle strop.

Originally Posted by deejaykamoe

im using a leather paddle right now and maybe its what i did to the leather? someone told me to sand the leather down so its more rough and then rub the chrox could that be the problem?

Yes, thats most likely. When I sand leather I do not use a fresh piece of sandpaper for just this reason.

Yup, the strop is contaminated. Look at the strop with magnification, you will see the grit. WD40 will remove the Chrome Ox from leather, though it may not remove all the grit.

Scraping with the strop on a flat bench and a Cabinet card scraper or a knife with a straight edge at 90 degrees and a light touch will refresh the face and may remove the grit. You can buy a Card Scraper for around 5 dollars and will leave a suede type finish a sharp kitchen knife may work also.

If you use balsa do not sand, scrap flat with the card scraper. Good quality sandpaper is less likely to shed grit and Balsa does not have to be perfectly flat as it will deform with stropping.

YES, as Euclid440 says right there ^^^ , scraping is the best non-contaminating way to level your balsa if it isn't flat enough.

Maybe you know a woodworker...

I was going to agree and say the sandpaper contaminated the strop....I almost bought a vintage strop at a local antique store and when I rubbed my hand across, it felt very gritty. When I asked, was told that someone told him to use sandpaper to clean up the strop...I could literally see the little particles glinting on it, and I know if I had of stropped my razor on it there would have been multiple scratch marks.

I got some CroX powder from Phil at the Classic Edge as well as two felt lined balsa boards and have no problems with my Crox, Dovo Red, and Dovo Green pasted boards....