Thread: Not quite there yet

I set bevel (checked with microscope). I honed all the way up to 12k and stroped on plane leather. Would stropping on balsa with crox help?

It depends, on what you are looking for. Pastes and substrates can do different things, add keenness or smoothness for comfort.

Generally pasted balsa can add smoothness, if a lite hand is used, if too much pressure is applied balsa can cause chipping and a harsh edge.

If you want to experiment, paste a piece of cardboard with Razor quality Chrome Oxide, post a good synthetic 12k edge, for a smoother edge. Natural stone “12K”, touted edges are another kettle of fish altogether.

What is razor quality chrome oxide? I can't use the same oxide I use on my knives?

Depends if you in fact have a shaving edge right now and want to add a touch of keen and smooth then stropping a bit with crox on either leather, linen/cotton or balsa will improve matters. For my synthetic progressions I usually add this step to get some of the harshness out of the edge and get them to my liking.
If you have not completed the honing/finishing process i suggest you try to get a a good shaving edge using the stones first before moving to this. Do a test shave as it is now if it completely fails go back to the stones if its shaving but missing that little something that makes shaving satisfying then try some laps on crox. You can experiment doing say 5 laps at a time and test until you get it how you like it. Give it a shot at the very least you will learn something. Good luck.

From my experience I have found really bad shaves from going too far. I also prefer the feel of a natural edge for the most part. The edge always gives what I would refer to as a prickly shave if taken too far. It is hard to tell if it has gone too far or not far enough. I suspect too far if you checked at every step. 'Razor quality ' is referring to the purity and consistency of the CrOx often the ones from wood working stores are not that good. If you buy from a source that sells razor sharpening stuff it is usually just fine.

Chromium oxide that is sold as pure pigment for fine arts oil painting etc is of excellent quality. A company called Kremer is popular for Crox pigment and this can be mixed with mineral oil to make a paste and spread on what ever you want to strop on. SRD sell a crayon of Crox which is also high quality stuff I use it and works great. Maggard razors also sells this in paste form and is good also. Avoid Ebay or Amazon selling blocks of green compound usually for chisel sharpening not razors. I made this mistake as a newbie and that stuff is mostly aluminum oxide compound and doesnt work well at all. Go for quality a small stick will last you for ages. And yes you can do your knives on it.

Tool and polishing “Green Paste” contains very little if any Chromium Oxide, which is why they don’t call it Chrome Oxide and call it Green Paste, and are various grits of Aluminum Oxide or a mix of abrasives that will polish metal and leave a chippy, harsh shaving edge.

Razor quality, Chrome Oxide will be close to 100 percent Chrome Oxide and of uniform grit size. Read the label. Quality Chrome Oxide is not expensive, and a little goes a long way.

More importantly, how does the razor shave?

It shaves ok just not as good as the other razor I cheated by taping the spine. I want this one as sharp with no tape.

I think you’re a little confused, tape is not cheating, nor will not using tape make the edge keener.

Tape is used to protect the spine, especially for novice razor honers who will use too much pressure on low grit stones and needlessly grind away a razor spine.

Tape actually can make a keener edge by increasing the bevel angle.

Most probably your issue is an incomplete, fully set bevel and meeting edge. Look straight down on the edge to see if the bevels are meeting.

Put 2 layers of tape on the spine and do some laps on your 12k. Is your 12k a quality Synthetic or a natural stone of unknown grit?

It is synthtic. When I tape the spine I get a sharp edge. I just wanted to achieve the same sharpness with no tape. So what am I doing wrong? It looks perfect under the microscope.