Thread: question about leather preparation for CrOx paste

I received a new strop for Xmas and I have some Chromium Oxide paste on it's way. I'm thinking of using my old English bridle leather board strop as the canvas for my new pasted strop. I have researched how to apply the paste (less is more) but how should I prep the leather on the board strop? I did make one nick in it learning how to strop (it was good advice to learn on it instead of an expensive hanging strop) so should I give it a good sanding first?

If the nicks affect stropping then lightly sand out of not jut apply crox no treatment necessary.

JosephHopper,

I sand my bench strops flat with 220 'grit'silicon carbide paper, and then progress through to 800 'grit' silicon carbide paper.

Make sure you wipe really well before and after each sanding (I wet wipe, then let strop dry). I always check the final sufrace for 'trapped grit' with an old test razor I have.

This leaves the surface with a slight nap, which readily takes the CrOx.

Most times I use CrOx powder, and just rub this into the napped surface. However, if I am using a CrOx crayon, I apply it with heat from a hair-dryer, rubbing it well in with a microfibre cloth. In both cases, wipe of the excess.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

thanks guys. I bought the TI CrOx paste so it looks already mixed with a liquid of some kind already. I will give it a light sanding I think and give it a try. If I'm not happy with in I may grab a piece of balsa and try that route as well.

The TI strop paste is not CrOx. It is diamond and aluminum oxide. IMO it doesn't leave quite as smooth of an edge as CrOx.

Originally Posted by PhatMan

I sand my bench strops flat with 220 'grit'silicon carbide paper, and then progress through to 800 'grit' silicon carbide paper.
Make sure you wipe really well before and after each sanding (I wet wipe, then let strop dry). I always check the final sufrace for 'trapped grit' with an old test razor I have.

Thanks, Russ,
I'm interested in this technique. Sometimes I find that leather is not really flat, dunno why. Any glue or other that guarantees that no sand grain was left trapped into the leather? Any further detail on this?

Originally Posted by PhatMan

Have fun

Best advice ever!

Martin

It says is CrOx not diamond and aluminum. I got it from Fendrihan Chromox, Green Chromium Oxide Finishing Paste by Thiers Issard | Shaving

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I've never seen that from them. I had assumed you were speaking of http://www.theartofshaving.com/on/de...00670535711506