Thread: The CBN Project

Originally Posted by earcutter

So if you have read this thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...wool-felt.html

You'll know that I got some .25 diamond spray and threw it on a nice hard pressed felt strop. You'll also know, that I wasn't having too much luck with it - as I felt it made my blades too keen and produced a harsh shave.

OK so I hadn't finished experimenting with the .25, but I got a PM from Marty who said he might be able to help. Since he offered to set me up - how could I say no?

His solution? CBN!

I never tried the stuff, so I was more than glad to give it a shot! His package arrived at my door today. Thanks Marty!!

Attachment 172431

One treated paper strop and a water spritzer.

Here it is hanging on my towel rack.

Attachment 172433

Now I was also given instructions, but for the sake of time, the key things to note is that I am to work my blade on some .25 diamond, but then work the blade over the .5 CBN for a bit, followed by the .125 CBN.

He assures me that this, even after the .25 diamond which was causing me to have too keen a shave, will create a smoother experience. The spritzer is so I can mosten the paper treated CBN strop before use.


To put it all to the test, I have chosen a blade that has always straddled keen just off the stones. I have calmed her down and love the blade, but if this stuff is to do what is claimed, this is the perfect blade to experiment on - that and i know the blade well.

Attachment 172434
The test subject

To be fair, I touched up my Boker this evening and just shaved with it - lovely and smooth.

This weekend, I'll apply some .25 diamond to it. I expect it'll be hell. After confirmation of a too keen blade, I'll begin the CRN treatment.

I intend to strop the first day using the CRN with both the .5 and the .125. Then I'll only strop the blade on the .125 for 7 more shaves before seeing how long I can go without any treatments.

It should be fun!!

I am posting now as I go along to bring anyone who's interested along for the ride. That and so I can post when its all fresh in my mind.

I'll report back sometime this weekend.

I use .50 and .25 after honing and think it does a great job.

If you remember a thread I started a few months ago someone on YouTube ("Dr. Matt") recommended these diamond sprays (as fine as .05). He also recommended about 10 laps with a .10 after every shave to prevent honing indefinitely. I tried that (with .25) after every shave and dulled the blade after only a few shaves.

I still use it but only if the blade needs it. You'll find out what works for you through trial and error.

Nice razor. You like the smaller ones like I do.

Update # 2.

Honestly - I don't know what/why I started all this lol!!

I treated my Dovo which proved too keen with the .25 diamond, to the CBN... it was still hell! Except this time I kept on shaving. I'll treat it again next shave, but if I don't notice a difference - that'll be it.

Perhaps my issue is that I should be using these pastes after the blade has degraded a bit after the stones? Not sure if that's it or not, as using a little CrOx after honing seems to work!?

Either way - I'll let you guys know I progress - surely I am doing something wrong - that or my face stops loving anything finer than .5 micron. We'll see .

Still having fun believe it or not .

Maybe try a razor that ain't quite there, before the diamond paste. Ya can't quit now, I got popcorn, a big bag. Bigger than my head even.

Update:

Well, its been some time and I feel like I owe you guys who participated an update.

Its been a week or two of some excruciating shaves. But I have come to some conclusions.

I am convinced that going below .5 microns makes a blade crazy sharp. For ME, that increadibe increase in refinement creates an uncomfortable shave.

That said - This makes absolutely no sense to me. Whatsoever lol! Moreover, I feel like I have lost. I feel like I was given a Ferrari, but could only drive it with the skillset of a 16yr old and his Neon!

I HAVE to take a break now though lol! If I keep going, I am going to give up on straights period lol. My face is raw - and that in itself may be the problem . Actually, there could be so many reasons why this isn't working for me when so many others swear by it... Its mind blowing!

I'll give it all a try again later in the year, but if you are reading this and wondering if you should bother - my answer is a resounding yes! Beyond being flustered that I "lost," I learned a great deal! Truly. That, and I would love to hear how it works for you.

Well David it looks like you might have proved the YMMV Theorem once again

Morale of the story: stop the quest for the ultimate sharpness as soon as you get comfortable shaves.

I don’t know that CBN results in more sharpness, but more comfort. CBN is aggressive and is removing steel as seen in stria removal from the bevel and a straighter edge.

Used post diamond it makes an edge much more comfortable. I also have used it as Neil describes while honing, stropping between finishing stones with good results.

I would be interested in seeing the edge on Earcutter’s razor and to see what it looked like pre and post diamond. I would recommend trying it on another razor to eliminate the razor as an issue.

The strops I use and sent to Earcutter is made from Pellon, a fabric type paper used in the garment industry as a stiffener for shirt collars and plackets. It is a random weave, very smooth and strong, similar to Tyvek. The random weave holds the spray evenly and well, more importantly it can be wet and dries quickly without mold. CBN performs very differently (better) on a damp strop, don’t know why.

Pellon is available at fabric stores for about a dollar or two per yard, making the cost of a strop, pennies.
I have used .10 CBN for maintenance, but prefer the .125 for daily use and .50 post diamond or Chrome Oxide to smooth the edge and finish honing.

Performance wise I would rate it as Cerium on steroids, achieving similar result to many laps of Cerium. The varied grits allows you to dial in results from polishing/smoothing a harsh edge to daily maintenance.

As with anything YMMV depending on any number of variables, not magic… just another shot in the quiver.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I don’t know that CBN results in more sharpness, but more comfort. CBN is aggressive and is removing steel as seen in stria removal from the bevel and a straighter edge.

Used post diamond it makes an edge much more comfortable. I also have used it as Neil describes while honing, stropping between finishing stones with good results.

I would be interested in seeing the edge on Earcutter’s razor and to see what it looked like pre and post diamond. I would recommend trying it on another razor to eliminate the razor as an issue.

The strops I use and sent to Earcutter is made from Pellon, a fabric type paper used in the garment industry as a stiffener for shirt collars and plackets. It is a random weave, very smooth and strong, similar to Tyvek. The random weave holds the spray evenly and well, more importantly it can be wet and dries quickly without mold. CBN performs very differently (better) on a damp strop, don’t know why.

Pellon is available at fabric stores for about a dollar or two per yard, making the cost of a strop, pennies.
I have used .10 CBN for maintenance, but prefer the .125 for daily use and .50 post diamond or Chrome Oxide to smooth the edge and finish honing.

Performance wise I would rate it as Cerium on steroids, achieving similar result to many laps of Cerium. The varied grits allows you to dial in results from polishing/smoothing a harsh edge to daily maintenance.

As with anything YMMV depending on any number of variables, not magic… just another shot in the quiver.

Well let's not forget my Boker loved the CBN just fine! My Dovo, Fili, and Revisor didn't. Its not over - I just had to take a break.

What's interesting me the most is - of the razors that didn't like it, under the loop, the edges look spectacular! That and even though my face began to feel "raw" - the Alum never stung! Truly - its not something I have ever run into before!

I don't pretend to be a honemister, so there's a ton of things I could be doing wrong. But I refuse to give up lol! That said, give me some time to figure things out. I might send my Dovo to you for finishing to see if it's me.

In the keen time... I mean, in the mean time lol - I just got inspired to try it on my Kami!

I'll let you know

Originally Posted by Kees

Morale of the story: stop the quest for the ultimate sharpness as soon as you get comfortable shaves.

________________________________________

Precisely. I have been an advocate of the 8k shave for quite some time.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I don’t know that CBN results in more sharpness, but more comfort. CBN is aggressive and is removing steel as seen in stria removal from the bevel and a straighter edge.

Used post diamond it makes an edge much more comfortable. I also have used it as Neil describes while honing, stropping between finishing stones with good results.

I would be interested in seeing the edge on Earcutter’s razor and to see what it looked like pre and post diamond. I would recommend trying it on another razor to eliminate the razor as an issue.

The strops I use and sent to Earcutter is made from Pellon, a fabric type paper used in the garment industry as a stiffener for shirt collars and plackets. It is a random weave, very smooth and strong, similar to Tyvek. The random weave holds the spray evenly and well, more importantly it can be wet and dries quickly without mold. CBN performs very differently (better) on a damp strop, don’t know why.

Pellon is available at fabric stores for about a dollar or two per yard, making the cost of a strop, pennies.
I have used .10 CBN for maintenance, but prefer the .125 for daily use and .50 post diamond or Chrome Oxide to smooth the edge and finish honing.

Performance wise I would rate it as Cerium on steroids, achieving similar result to many laps of Cerium. The varied grits allows you to dial in results from polishing/smoothing a harsh edge to daily maintenance.

As with anything YMMV depending on any number of variables, not magic… just another shot in the quiver.

Thanks Marty!

Marty also gifted me with the same setup. I have to say that for me at least it does make for a more comfortable edge.

I can compare it to Crox after a good hone, however I use the CBN when the edge just needs a touch up. It brings the edge back without being too keen.

As has been said sometimes YMMV.