Thread: Chromium Oxide paste

Originally Posted by mparker762

It's easy to get complacent and get sloppy on the hones, because the chrome oxide will get it sharp anyway. I occasionally go through periods where I stop using the paddles and try and match that level of edge using just the hones, and sometimes I get pretty close.

This is one thing I still don't 100% get. Is the poorly honed razor that's nevertheless sharp because of chrome oxide inferior to one well-honed on stones? I've always assumed that's the case from the way people talk, but I've never really understood the physics of it.

Originally Posted by mparker762

My fondness for Cr2O3 (and Boron Carbide) is because they combine smoothness, sharpness, and toughness (when used on a hard paddle, though this comes at the expense of honing speed).

If used on firm leather, the edge is inferior?

Originally Posted by dylandog

This is one thing I still don't 100% get. Is the poorly honed razor that's nevertheless sharp because of chrome oxide inferior to one well-honed on stones? I've always assumed that's the case from the way people talk, but I've never really understood the physics of it.

That's been the case for me. It's like the paddles can improve an edge X amount, and this can get a marginal edge into the "good shave" levels of sharpness. But you're much better off taking a razor that's already shaving sharp and giving it that same X amount of improvement. But it's very easy to become complacent and be satisfied with the first route.

Originally Posted by dylandog

If used on firm leather, the edge is inferior?

I get pretty consistently better edges on hardwood than leather, though the difference is probably modest if you use a very smooth gentle stroke - I have trouble achieving this to my satisfaction on leather because of the drag. IMO the wood surfaces are much more tolerant of pressure and much less prone to weakening the fin, and because the drag is so low it's much easier to maintain a very light touch and smooth stroke. However, pastes on hardwood are much slower than pastes on leather, so it's not an unqualified win by any means.

Originally Posted by mparker762

I get pretty consistently better edges on hardwood than leather, though the difference is probably modest if you use a very smooth gentle stroke - I have trouble achieving this to my satisfaction on leather because of the drag. IMO the wood surfaces are much more tolerant of pressure and much less prone to weakening the fin, and because the drag is so low it's much easier to maintain a very light touch and smooth stroke. However, pastes on hardwood are much slower than pastes on leather, so it's not an unqualified win by any means.

That's interesting to hear. I feel like I've been struggling a little with using my paste on a brushed leather surface. Maybe I should make a change.

X

Originally Posted by mparker762

IMO the wood surfaces are much more tolerant of pressure and much less prone to weakening the fin, and because the drag is so low it's much easier to maintain a very light touch and smooth stroke.

My chrome oxide/boron carbide leather bench hone just arrived today. I suppose I'll make a special effort to go gentle.

AFAIK I'm the only one pushing CO on wood, everybody else that loves this stuff is using leather. So I wouldn't read too much into what I say on the matter, I'm just one data point after all, even if a somewhat outspoken one.

Since i've been talking about them so much, here's a photo of my poplar paddles, pasted with dichromium trioxide and boron carbide. The dichromium trioxide paddle is actually pasted on both sides because it kept curling. Now I just use whichever side is convex, unless I'm doing a smiling blade in which case I get better results on the concave side :-)

Originally Posted by dylandog

My chrome oxide/boron carbide leather bench hone just arrived today. I suppose I'll make a special effort to go gentle.

Out of curiousity, where'd you get your bench hone and how long did it take to arrive?
--Dave

I sourced my leather from Tony, but it was a part of a much bigger order for (Oakville) Dave (mindspin), that included a hanging strop and who knows what else Dave got lol. The 3.125x12.000" marble strip came from Jason.

Originally Posted by DMS

Out of curiousity, where'd you get your bench hone and how long did it take to arrive?
--Dave

I think Dylan may have bought one of mine last week. Thety are instock and take a day to paste and let dry before shipping. Some of the guys make their own too but not sure if they saved any money or time in the process <g>

All this chromium oxide talk has convinced my to do one up for myself! So far I have always used diamond paste but at the 0.5 micron level it is nice to have a choice. I'm gonna do a wide 2 side bench strop with handle, 0.5 diamond on one side and 0.5 chromium oxide on the other.

Tony

Welcome to the church of Chromiumoxidology, brother-Tony