Thread: CROx paste of Diamond Spray

I have been SR shaving for around 3 weeks, so I am still a beginner. I have a 5/8 Ralf Aust with the plastic scales that I acquired from SRD. It has started to tug a little and I would like to touch it up. I do not hone (yet), but I have two strops; hanging strop with poly back and Lynn's SRD Modular Strop kit. The latter came with the .5 micro diamond spray. I also have the .5 micron CROx crayon from SRD.


As a beginner, what would it better or easier for me at this point? Should I install the CROx paste on the back of the poly hanging strop OR should I spray one of the felt pieces of the modular strop with the diamond spray?


Having read some of the forum posts, I think many of you have a preference. I would like to know which works better and which would be easier for me as a beginner.




Thank you all in advance for this answer and thank you all for helping me immensely in the past months. I would never have had the guts to put a blade to my face if it hadn't been for many of you. I am very grateful.


However, I have spent way too much money and there seems to be no end in sight :-)

So, your problem is a common one for those learning to shave and maintain a razor. It is your stropping that is dulling the razor and until your stropping improves you will have this issue. A pasted strop is an abrasive strop that if used improperly will only cause more damage, quicker. So be warned, paste may resolve your issue or make it worst.

First, get a good lighted loupe, you can buy a good lighted 60X for 2-5 dollars. Look at the edge and see what is causing your issue, then take steps needed to resolve those issues.

.50 diamond, can refresh a razor or ruin the edge. Give that… spray the diamond on your felt and do 5-6 laps, after it dries, test the edge. Go slow, keep the spine on the strop and stop before you flip, use light pressure.

If the edge shaves well but is harsh. Proper stropping on linen and leather may calm it, if not some good Chrome Oxide will do so.

Unfortunately, there is no, one size fits all, easy answer to your issue or most razor issues, because you have to do what the razor needs. Diagnosing the problem is 95 percent of fixing razor problems. It does get easier and your shaves will improve with time and practice.

As has been said many times, finding a local mentor for some hands on training, it will dramatically cut your learning curve.

I would spray one felt with diamond and paste the other with the crox. 5 laps on each then linen and leather. Euclid has given you the best advice. Find the problem and fix it dont just paste and hope. Good luck

Well, I wouldn't apply any crox or diamond spray to the back of the webbing on the hanging strop. I know it's an option, but it will migrate from that surface to the other strop elements, and it's abrasive, and once there, well....it's there.

The modular strop is a really good medium for mixing different stropping applications since you remove elements, and be sure to wipe down between changes if crox or diamond, etc. are used.

I'd apply the crox to one of the pressed wool pieces and try it first. It's less aggressive and gives a nice edge. If you're edge is too far gone, you can try the diamond on the other pressed wool element and it's a bit more aggressive.

But, as Euclid said....you're stropping technique determines the results.

Here's a few videos that may help with crox or diamond application and stropping.

Howard