Which Shaves best? Cr2O3 or Diamond Paste ???

I've heard some guys say polish your Str8's edge with 0.5 and/or 0.25 micron Diamond paste for a "ScarySharp" edge. I even heard some guys say that diamond paste polishes the Str8's edge "too sharp".....

Then there are other guys who say polish the edge with Cr2O3 (Chromium Oxide) paste.... 'cause it "shaves" better & smoother than the diamond paste. BTW What grits does Cr2O3 come? 0.5 micron? 0.25 micron.

Then I heard some guys say put the paste on a flatbed or on a paddle strop. then other guys say that paste on a dedicated hanging strop is best!?!?

IMHO, I'd lean towards the Cr2O3 (Chromium Oxide) paste material that the "ole-timers" used, I'm just curious what grit sizes it comes in? 0.5 microns? 0.25 microns?

For the "hi-tech" guys, you can't beat the efficiency of diamond abrasives on metal blade edges.... I tried the 0.5 micron diamond paste that was on my 4 sided paddle strop from Tony Miller...if worked fine!

OK guys how's about some discussion, opinions, and a vote?

Tony

Tony,

I bought my chromium oxide from HandAmerican and the label says .5 micron/ 60,000 grit.

0.25 diamond shaves better than 0.5 chrome oxide, but the 0.5 chrome oxide shaves better than 0.5 diamond. However, TI's seem to have a particular affinity for the diamond paste.

This subject seems to come up on a pretty regular basis...most often the conclusion is that it comes down to personal preference.

The Cr2O3 is rated at 0.5 microns. I don't believe I've ever seen it (regardless of source) rated either more coarse or more fine.

Personally, I only use the Cr2O3 as a final finish following the Coticule. I use a leather topped bench hone made of quarter sawn oak. I have never tried pasting a hanging strop--others have with varying degrees of success. I think the shaving edge following Cr2O3 is much more comfortable (note I did not say it was sharper or smoother) than following diamond paste. I've tried 0.5 diamond alone, 0.5 diamond followed by 0.25 diamond, and 0.5 Cr2O3 followed by 0.25 diamond. I personally prefer the edge I get straight off of the Cr2O3.

Just another data point,
Ed

I have a pasted paddle from Tony with 3 mi diamond, 1mi diamond, .5 mi diamond, and then the .5mi Chromium. This plus my 4k/8k norton are what I have been using to sharpen for a couple months now, though my yellow coticule bout should be in from Howard today. I love the chromium, but the diamonds are my workhorse polishers after I leave the norton. I can get the razor shave sharp off the norton, but not comfortable. The daimonds bring it up to that scarry sharp stage where it takes no effort to shave hair, but the Chromium makes it a super comfortable shaver. This is just my own experience. I imagine that I will be much like Ed after my bout arrives.

Matt

Yep, Matt bought what I call the "fanatic's special". It has both chromium and diamond at the 0.5 grit level along with 1.0 (the workhorse) and 3.0 (a quick and dirty replacement for the 8K side of a Norton). The diamond does make for fast cutting on hard steel yet the chromium provides a smoother, face friendly edge.

It may work similarly to an Arkansas stone. Slower but the more rounded grains give a finer polish to the edge or in other works the micro-serrations maybe smooth edges rather than sharp edged making it feel noce to the skin.

The 0.25 diamond will give a wicked sharp edge but I feel it is more delicate and find that when I use it I need to revisit the paddle far more often than with either of the 0.5 sides.

Tony

I haven't made up my mind completely yet, but I tend to lean toward preferring the .5 diamond edge to the .5 chromium edge.

It seems like most guys use "smooth" to describe the chromium edge and "harsh" for diamond edges. From my tests and limited experience, it seems like the diamond edge is a bit sharper, which might account for the "harsher" feeling. (The wicked sharp Feather AC is also considered harsh.)

Lately I've had the most success with diamond paste on balsa. But I'm very open to the possibility that it's just poor technique on my part.

Josh

Matt & Tony:

I like it, I like it!

I have a TM 4 sided paddle with one spare un-pasted leather face which could take either .5 micron Cr2O3 paste or the .25 micron diamond paste. I also have the "trainer" strop that came with TM's "Best" Latigo strop, I suppose that I could coat that with the .5 micron Cr2O3 paste!?

OR

Would it be better to apply Cr2O3 to a rigid surface like a paddle, balsa, glass, etc...

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kentriv

I have a pasted paddle from Tony with 3 mi diamond, 1mi diamond, .5 mi diamond, and then the .5mi Chromium. This plus my 4k/8k norton are what I have been using to sharpen for a couple months now, though my yellow coticule bout should be in from Howard today. I love the chromium, but the diamonds are my workhorse polishers after I leave the norton. I can get the razor shave sharp off the norton, but not comfortable. The daimonds bring it up to that scarry sharp stage where it takes no effort to shave hair, but the Chromium makes it a super comfortable shaver. This is just my own experience. I imagine that I will be much like Ed after my bout arrives.

Matt

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

I also have the "trainer" strop that came with TM's "Best" Latigo strop, I suppose that I could coat that with the .5 micron Cr2O3 paste!?

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I wouldn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

Would it be better to apply Cr2O3 to a rigid surface like a paddle, balsa, glass, etc...

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Yes. If you've got a free side on your paddle then paste that. Don't use very much, too much is much worse than none at all.

Are you suggesting coat the free side of paddle with .5 micron Cr2O3 paste or .25 diamond paste?

TIA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mparker762

I wouldn't.
Yes. If you've got a free side on your paddle then paste that. Don't use very much, too much is much worse than none at all.

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Tony,
Take the "learner" strop, cut out the best part, 10" to 12" long and glue it to a piece of MDF, warp free wood, etc...then use paste on it. At 24" x 2 1/2" you could get 2 nice pasted strops from it. It is a fairly stiff surface leather even though thicker than I woiuld normally use on a paddle so should noty deflect under the weight of a razor.

I know many worry that leather will deform and roll an edge on a paddle setup but I think that is more a concern with sueded leathers. The napp on those may well round an edge where a smooth finish leather will stay firm unless the stropper is heavy handed.

I use sueded leather on the first paddles I sold 2 years ago and found them less desirable to use than those today.

Tony

Tony

Even better!

Thanks Tony!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Tony,
Take the "learner" strop, cut out the best part, 10" to 12" long and glue it to a piece of MDF, warp free wood, etc...then use paste on it. At 24" x 2 1/2" you could get 2 nice pasted strops from it.

Tony

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

Even better!

Thanks Tony!

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Glad you like the idea............I'll send a bill <g>


Tony

Now All I gotta do is find someone who'll give/sell/swap me a tube of Cr2O3. I called HandAmerica and he (Keith, I think) said they weren't REALLY open for business until next week (maybe). Classic has the diamond paste, but are there any other vendors for Cr2O3 paste?

It's a pretty common abrasive. If you google around you'll find a bunch of outfits that sell it. Usually dry and by the pound, but it's pretty cheap stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

but are there any other vendors for Cr2O3 paste?

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I asked the same question a short while back here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

Now All I gotta do is find someone who'll give/sell/swap me a tube of Cr2O3

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Ilija (FiReSTaRT) very kindly offered to deal, I mean send, me some to try while waiting for HandAmerica. A couple of days after he sent it off Keith from HA put the order through. If you're interested I can pass it down the chain once I get it (minus the Colleen's Savon de Comte soap he threw in cause I really want to try some of that).

You will like that Savon de Comte a lot. I love it.

Matt

In the absence of Hand american being up and ready to receive and fulfill orders in a timely manner I went looking on the InterNet and here's what I found....

I went to www.cyberrockhound.com, a lapidary supplier in Souix city IA and got 1lb. each of chromium oxide powder and some rouge powder.
http://www.cyberrockhound.com/Lapida...ng_Powders.htm

I like the idea of making my own paste. I noticed that several postings have mentioned the following different media to make up the "paste" with the powder.

Neat's foot oil, (DOVO) yellow strop leather conditioner, vaseline, Waterless Hand Cleaner, Water, etc...

I get the feeling that ANYTHING that will allow you apply it to the strop and then envtually dry or will be absorbed into the leather is ok. My pick would be the DOVO Strop conditioner or the Neats foot oil...

I also noticed Lee Valley tools have a compund called Veritas® Honing Compound
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,43072&p=32984

Has anyone used that yet?

Guys, What's your pick?

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tgparker

<snip>

I also noticed Lee Valley tools have a compund called Veritas® Honing Compound
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,43072&p=32984

Has anyone used that yet?

Guys, What's your pick?

Tony

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I had the Veritas green on leather (on a 1X30 belt sander) that I use for lots of sharp things. I gave it a try and it works great for straights, but I felt like I was breaking nostalgic law or something by not using manual sharpening methods.;)

Steve

I liked the idea that it came in the form of a waxy stick like buffing compound. The only reason I didn't get the Veritas® Honing Compound is because the specs. said that it was "admixed with other fine abrasives", not being certain exactly WHAT the "other fine abrasives" were, I opted for buying a 1lb. bag of pure .5 micron Cr2O3 in dry powder form and I will be mixing it with Dovo yellow strop conditioner in order to apply it to the belt...

I probably have a lifetime supply or Cr2O3. Anybody need some?

Tony

I think I could use some.

I bought some Dovo strop paste from CS and it sucks.
It's the red and black crap.
All it does is dull my razors.:rant:

I'm not sure what postage would cost but I would be more than happy to send a few bucks for some.

It's either that or by a 10 lifetime supply like you did !! :D

The red and green pastes from Classic are not bad. Each razor takes differently to pastes. Some like it, some don't. Some do better with Diamond pastes, some don't. I have tried the TI paste as well and it works on some razors.

Have fun.

Lynn

could this stuff be used on a pasted paddle? it's advertised for rock polishing, but isn't it the same stuff?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Chrome-Oxide-ROCK...QQcmdZViewItem

same stuff different seller:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Chrome-Oxide-Poli...QQcmdZViewItem

4oz for $5.00 is a sweet deal if its usable

They also have chromium oxide at http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3112

I think it's the same stuff...