Thread: Chromium Oxide Usage

Good morning. I just have a quick question about how everybody uses their CrOX? I recently used it to refresh a blade that was dulled, but not rolled, due to less than perfect stropping. Now my razor is exceptional.

But here is my question. Do you use your CrOX on a regular basis, say once every 1-2 weeks or so? Or do you only use it when stropping alone does not get your edge sufficiently refreshed? Thanks a bunch.

I only use it when my razors start to pull a little. It refreshes well but won't bring back a edge from too far gone so don't wait

With Chrome Oxide you can do either. A regular maintenance schedule like one a week or two will keep the edge keen and smooth, or you can strop at the slightest sign of flagging edge.

The trouble with waiting is, you may wait too long, as said. Or if the edge is damaged from stropping, Chrome Oxide may not be enough to bring the edge back, remember Chrome Ox is about 30K.

Often with new stroppers the spine is lifted and the edge rolled. If that is the case Chrome Oxide may not re-set the edge. But jointing the edge and re-setting on a high grit stone may. Then polish on Chrome Oxide.

With Chrome Oxide the hardness of the substrate and pressure will affect performance. So if the edge is harsh after Chrome Oxide, first look at the edge and make sure it is chip free, use lite pressure and more laps and makes sure you are using razor quality Chrome Oxide, it is not expensive.

And make sure to wipe your razor clean after use, to prevent contamination of your leather strop.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

With Chrome Oxide you can do either. A regular maintenance schedule like one a week or two will keep the edge keen and smooth, or you can strop at the slightest sign of flagging edge.

The trouble with waiting is, you may wait too long, as said. Or if the edge is damaged from stropping, Chrome Oxide may not be enough to bring the edge back, remember Chrome Ox is about 30K.

I was thinking along those lines. But I was curious to hear what our veterans/mentors had to say. I shave every other day so I am thinking once every two weeks is a good start

Often with new stroppers the spine is lifted and the edge rolled. If that is the case Chrome Oxide may not re-set the edge. But jointing the edge and re-setting on a high grit stone may. Then polish on Chrome Oxide.

That was my biggest fear as well. I do have some strop nicks that are about 1.5 inches from the paddles. Yet my strop is still very usable and the nicks give me a sign as to when to begin the flip. But from looking at the edge under a 15x photographer's loupe as well as carefully performing the "pin test" where one takes a straight pin and draws it perpendicularly from spine to edge, I was able to deduce I did not roll the edge. Plus I was able to cut arm hair on both sides of the razor. But about 15-16 laps across the CrOX was just what I needed. Plus my razor burn was greatly reduced. I know that's a lot of passes but it seemed to be what the edge I had needed

With Chrome Oxide the hardness of the substrate and pressure will affect performance. So if the edge is harsh after Chrome Oxide, first look at the edge and make sure it is chip free, use lite pressure and more laps and makes sure you are using razor quality Chrome Oxide, it is not expensive.

And make sure to wipe your razor clean after use, to prevent contamination of your leather strop.

I got my CrOX from SRD so I know I got a good quality formulation. I did watch Lynn's video about refreshing a razor with CrOX multiple times before I even placed the order. I take extra care to wipe the edge clean so as not to undo my efforts.

15-16 laps are, not a lot. As you have found, it depend on what the edge needs. Typically when honing I do 20-30 laps between stones on a Sail Cloth polyester canvas strop with no ill effects to the edge.

Pressure is the edge killer.

So while the pin test will tell you, if you have rolled the edge, if you do roll the edge and strop on both sides of the bevel with pressure, you can easily break the rolled fin off, leaving a jagged micro chipped edge that the pin will not detect.

This is where looking at the edge, straight down on the edge and from the side with magnification and strong light will give you a better idea of what is going on at the edge.

If so, micro chipping can often be jointed smooth and the bevels brought back to meeting in a few laps (10-20) of a high grit stone.

There is a recent video of Mastro Levi taking a shave ready razor and killing the edge on a glass, then stropping on Chrome Oxide leather paddle strop, about 20 laps to bring the edge back to shave ready. At about 1425 in the video.

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.

He also used way more Chrome Oxide than I have ever used, literally trowels it on with a stick …

That's Livi's own formulation paste. I don't know how concentrated the Crox in it is but it's not pure crox at any rate.

I use CrOx on balsa along with FeOx. Usually I use it around every 6-7 shaves then strop as normal. One razor I have I use it EVERY TIME and have for over two years as an experiment. There has been no damage to the razor AT ALL. No double bevel. No deteriation of edge or steel. Nothing. Contrary to many theories. Of course this is not a theory this is something I have done and continue to do. Many people have issue with this but luckily it's not their razor.

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.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

With Chrome Oxide you can do either. A regular maintenance schedule like one a week or two will keep the edge keen and smooth, or you can strop at the slightest sign of flagging edge.

I think I have decided on a great indicator on when to hit the CrOX. I do the fool's pass and if I find a tiny bit of drag, the next shave will see the CrOX.

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

My line of thought is to eventually supplement the CrOX with a Naniwa 12k for a refresh hone if needed.

I've tried CrOX on leather, newspaper, felt, balsa and linen. I have to say that I find it works best with with light pressure on the linen. Basically in my experience it works well with everything except leather. Could be just me.