Thread: Chromium Oxide Usage

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup, I strop on CBN daily, usually .125um, but in the past used Chrome Oxide, Ferrous and Cerium Oxides on canvas, paper or leather for years.

The worst that could happen with high nano grits, is the edge can micro chip, a quick jointing and re-setting the edge, will easily resolve that.

With a paste maintenance schedule and proper stropping, a razor may never need a full bevel setting again.

before I shave, every time, I make 14 passes (hardly any pressure) on the CROx side of the leather and 40 passes (hardly any pressure) on the smooth leather strop side. Every time I get an exceptionally smooth close shave. However, in reading this, my fear is that I could be damaging my razors. Can you help me understand if I'm doing something wrong? Many Thanks!!!

A few years ago several of us tested Chrome Oxide, stropping daily with the same razor for over a year. None of us had an edge issue and did not have to re-hone or touch up the razor during the test. I stopped after a year but I think some went even longer.

I am talking about Nano grit paste in the .125 or .10 um range, the equivalent of 120 and 160k grit range. Chrome Oxide is about .50 – 30K grit equivalent.

When we strop on these exstream nano grits and some stones, like the Shapton 30k and the GS20, on some steels, it you do too many laps the edge can get too thin, will not hold the edge and begin to micro-chip. You may be fine for 5-10 shaves and then with repeated stropping the edge micro-chips. You can also cause this to happen on some razors with the GS20 and make the edge uncomfortable straight off the stone.

This is not an issue with Chrome Oxide, unless razor quality “Chrome Oxide” is not used. You will not damage your razor stropping on chrome oxide unless you use too much pressure on a hard substrate. Of course, result will depend on the condition of the edge prior to stropping.

But even if micro chipping occurs, it is simply a matter of Jointing the edge and re setting it on a finish stone, only a sliver of the edge is removed and can be restored in just a few laps.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

A few years ago several of us tested Chrome Oxide, stropping daily with the same razor for over a year. None of us had an edge issue and did not have to re-hone or touch up the razor during the test. I stopped after a year but I think some went even longer.

I am talking about Nano grit paste in the .125 or .10 um range, the equivalent of 120 and 160k grit range. Chrome Oxide is about .50 – 30K grit equivalent.

When we strop on these exstream nano grits and some stones, like the Shapton 30k and the GS20, on some steels, it you do too many laps the edge can get too thin, will not hold the edge and begin to micro-chip. You may be fine for 5-10 shaves and then with repeated stropping the edge micro-chips. You can also cause this to happen on some razors with the GS20 and make the edge uncomfortable straight off the stone.

This is not an issue with Chrome Oxide, unless razor quality “Chrome Oxide” is not used. You will not damage your razor stropping on chrome oxide unless you use too much pressure on a hard substrate. Of course, result will depend on the condition of the edge prior to stropping.

But even if micro chipping occurs, it is simply a matter of Jointing the edge and re setting it on a finish stone, only a sliver of the edge is removed and can be restored in just a few laps.

That is great information. Every time I post, I learn something. I'll watch the edges and if necessary, I have a barber hone that I will use to touch up the razors. I will not take them back to the 1K/6K wet stones that I originally put the bevel and edges on yet. I appreciate your feedback!

I do 5-10 very light laps on my felt/CrOx strop every other week with my daily shavers. Seems to keep the edges keen and smooth. I think, as with stropping, honing or CrOx, pressure is the key. Too much will kill the edge, no matter the media you are using.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

.....This is not an issue with Chrome Oxide, unless razor quality “Chrome Oxide” is not used. You will not damage your razor stropping on chrome oxide unless you use too much pressure on a hard substrate. Of course, result will depend on the condition of the edge prior to stropping.
..

What are good sources for razor-quality Chrome Oxide (& Iron Oxide)?

SRD is a good source. I believe they get it through Maestro Livi. I've been told other sources (like possibly hardware stores the product is not really good crox.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

It is an interesting video, (Mastro Levi School, How to use a Straight Razor Strop), although he does seem to use more pressure, than I recommend and also his signature “Razor Slapping Style”. He, though can get away with it, as I do believe, he has a bit of experience with the technique.

I hope people don't try this at home. Especially the TNT while stropping

Hand America brand Chrome Oxide in the crayon, liquid and spray and Powder from Kremer Pigments are the best one I have tried. I believe the Chrome Ox sold by SRD is Hand America brand, I find the Crayon stick the easiest to use and apply.

Do not use too much as contamination of your leather strop can be an issue if not wiped from the razor completely. And really you do not need much to strop a razor.

Do not use Chrome Oxide sold as “Green Rouge” for polishing or sharpening, they contain other abrasives of unknown grit or size and will cause a micro-chipped harsh edge.

Once you apply any paste to a substrate it can never be completely removed, so make sure you are buying pure, quality Chrome Oxide. It is really not expensive and a one-time purchase is a life-time supply.

I just got my Mastro Livi loom strop and I feel the major difference on the chromium oxide side is the linen. It is very fine compared to other course material I have used. I also saw his video and found on the loom using the X stroke works very well. As stated extremely light pressure on his strop. Maggard's has chromium oxide paste.

I bought what was described as pure Chromium Oxide from a Pottery supply Co. (They use it as a glaze on ceramic items.) I bought 100gms in powder form for 8 dollars. I use it directly onto a canvas strop, spreading it out with a strainer. I moisten it, next day its good to go. I rang a lapidary company and the atypical grit of ChOx is 60k. I give my razors six laps every second time I use one (I have a dozen or so I use regularly). I do not like crayons, mainly as when the crayon is spent, try getting off the residue. Nigh impossible. With the powder, just stick the strop in a bucket of water and rinse it off, start again. 100grms is enough to make hundreds of strops. I have tried mixing it with oil directly onto balsa wood, didn't like it.
*Chromium Oxide is a rust inhibitor. Iron oxide is 'Rust'.