Thread: Where to buy inexpensive Chromium Oxide Paste?

I can't comment on history, but as a beginner in straight razors, I found the 'aha' moment when I started finishing on balsa with Chromium Oxide powder. In fact, I started using it as a finisher on my hunting knives, etc, and it has not let me down, whether it be in a deer or on my face.

New, old, trendy, whatever it is -it is effective. It's also what The Classic Edge here in Ontario uses and recommends as a finisher, and Phil has quite a bit of experience in honing razors, and plenty of more expensive, marketable options he could use and recommend instead.

Originally Posted by The Classic Edge

Some may say that using Chromium Oxide on Balsa for your Straight Razor is an option, but we believe it is a NEED. So after you are done honing your razor on a finishing stone like a Belgian Coticule or a Synthetic stone like a 12K Naniwa you should do at least 10 passes on the Chromium Oxide to refine the edge to it's best potential. You will find out quickly that passing the Hanging Hair Test has just become 100% easier.

Strictly out of curiosity, what is it about Balsa wood would contribute to a "Too Harsh" edge vs leather? At the end of the day, the abrasive size is constant between the two, and balsa is not hard enough to abrade the steel. If you strop on leather after, I can't understand why there would be any difference except for price.

I find the statement "a good market for Dumb Newbs to waste money" interesting, considering the block of balsa wood and chromium oxide are the two cheapest honing materials in my collection. At the same time, I also find it silly that some people are willing to spend $100's of dollars on a leather strop, I ended up making one myself out of 3" saddle leather straps, and it does the job just as well as the russian leather strop that came with my first razor. Maybe I'm just not refined enough of a shaver to know (or care).

Originally Posted by TrqTTS

I can't comment on history, but as a beginner in straight razors, ).

Perhaps the easiest answer is for you to read the articles on the forum from the archives and see as all this happened... Me telling you is not going to change your already formed opinion, only you reading it and trying it yourself might do that...

As to the cost factor I think perhaps you mis-read what I wrote

here

"And if you like the effect of Balsa then all you need is $1 and a Home Depot, A "Balsa Strop" is a piece of wood"