Thread: Chromium oxide and balsa

I'd like to apply some powdered chromium oxide to my new balsa paddle strop from grottolord. (Thanks, man!)

What should I mix it with? I don't want to get the wood too wet for fear that it will swell or something.

On my leather strop I used strop dressing, which worked well.

Also, how thick should I spread it? I think I went overboard with my leather paddle, as it was a solid green when I was done...

Thanks,
Josh

I´m thinking mineral oil as they sell it for treating cutting boards but I am not making any guarantees that this won´t mess up the balsa. Wait for more opinions.

I'm using the handamerican stuff on poplar. It seems to be mixed with some flavor of grease. I'm not sure why you couldn't use a little water, just enough to keep the CO from dusting everywhere as you rub it in to the wood.

Heard a rumour that handamerican paste used a lanolin based mixture. See no reason why mineral oil wouldn't work though.

I apply mine dry, using it sparingly but I cover the whole thing. Seems a little like a waste now, after a month you'll realize what a small portion of the paddle actually makes contact. Don't forget to lap it prior to application, obviously.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Seems a little like a waste now, after a month you'll realize what a small portion of the paddle actually makes contact.

??? huh ???

I have a "Rockler's fine wood working tools" store around the corner from me and found a wood paddle there and a stick of chromium oxide that I rubbed on the paddle. The stick is similar to a large crayon and I just rub it on. it works great!

Originally Posted by mparker762

??? huh ???

I use an x pattern and only make contact with the bottom middle of the paddle.

I decided to go with mineral oil to mix my chromium oxide powder. The balsa seemed to take more powder than the leather, probably because it embeds more in the grain. Tomorrow I'll do the second application...

Thanks for the help, guys!

Josh

Thought I'd finish this thread off with my assessment...

I used the chromium oxide on balsa strop this evening, and I liked the way it felt. The mineral oil gave the balsa some drag--less than leather but more than plain wood. I felt like I could keep the strokes smoother that way.

This will probably lessen as I use the strop, but I liked it anyway.

Josh