An experiment in Chrome...

No, not the much-awaited sequel to Chrome Yellow.

I've been shaving for a few months with a straight and felt that although my razor's edge was satisfactory, passing the HHT fairly consistently, but "could be keener."

Anyway, I got my hands on some Chromium Oxide graciously bestowed by Bart...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...el457/CrOx.jpg

I selected dovo strop in decent shape...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...enoldstrop.jpg

Half a teaspoon of Chromium Oxide, an old brush - lather it up with a smidgen of soap and water...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...reenlather.jpg

Zygote!

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...7/greenwet.jpg

Dries off quickly... dusted excess off with a brush. Smooth application. No caking...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...l457/green.jpg

RESULTS:
Twenty laps on the green stuff + twenty on linen + sixty on straight leather...

My goodness... I thought my blade was passing the HHT satisfactorily. Now, hairs are just dropping off instantly! The difference in HHT test results are striking!

However, as we all know, the proof is in the shave. Tonight I test the edge out on my face...

BTW, credit on creative pasting technique goes to BART. Thanks mate!!!

FYI - I hone my razor on a Belgian coticule.

That CrOx is good stuff, theres no denying!

Thats a well trained cat you have there. He sat there while you took your first two pics, then waited patiently while you pasted your strop for you to come back for the last one...! :D I'm also glad to see he has no bald spots from HHT tests lol!

Heheheh. Around here I regularly get jokes on bald spots on my cat. Not sure if I learned patience from the cat or the reverse. We're both pretty easygoing.

Soooo, I just finished my first shave off the CrO2-ed razor. Holy!!!!! I was clearly lacking in terms of keeness. Much better. Much more comfortable. I was able to use much lighter strokes. This was clearly a big step in the right direction.