Thread: 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

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

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!?

I wouldn't.

Originally Posted by tgparker

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

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

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.