Thread: to paste or not to paste

I purchased my CrOx from SRD quite awhile ago and it sits in a drawer, I played around with it quite awhile and it can easily kick up the keenness of an edge but I found out it can also make an edge toothy or harsh by doing to many passes.

My best success was doing my normal progression 4, 8, 12k then JNAT then would do 10-15 light passes on paste but I have not used paste in quite awhile as my edges are acceptable enough coming off the stones

Well now, Rayclem sent me on a wild goose chase when he introduced me to the vermion stone. I have done as much research as possible, and believe I will not be satisfied until I get my hands on one. Thank you

Originally Posted by mitmitzoom

Well now, Rayclem sent me on a wild goose chase when he introduced me to the vermion stone. I have done as much research as possible, and believe I will not be satisfied until I get my hands on one. Thank you

Griffiths Shaving Goods carries them. CHeck out this web page, at the very bottom.

https://www.griffithshavinggoods.com...-honing-stones

Yes, there are an infinite combination of variables and results with paste. Most important are the condition of the edge finish, the higher and quality of the polish of the bevel and straightness of the edge, the better paste can further polish the bevel and edge.

Most any good 8-12k edge is a good starting point. Pure Chromium Oxide is generally .50um (about 30K grit). You can go up to .10um (160,000 grit) with CBN or Diamond spray/paste. If you do go to the Nano grits a progression is helpful, but not necessary. .50um CBN is a good starting point and for most folks .125um (120,000) is good, but can be too much, depending on your beard thickness, skin toughness, and your razor.

With any paste/spray the substrate can alter performance. An inexpensive and good way to experiment is pasting cardboard. Cut a cereal box into 3inch strips and paste the inside, non-printed side. Cardboard is an excellent substrate, as is Pellon, Nylon strapping, cloth weaved belting, canvas and leather. I use Poly canvas, (sail cloth) and Pellon, for pasted strops. Both are available from fabric stores for a few dollars a yard, a yard should yield several strops.

There are a few old posts on making these into strops, inexpensively. It is not too many passes that cause microchipping it is the steel. Years ago several of us stropped and shaved with the same razor daily, on Chrome Oxide daily for over a year, with no ill effects to the razor. The bevel lost all stria after a week or two, but the shave and the razor was the same a year later. Substrate does make a big difference, balsa can produce micro chipping, I suspect there is silica in balsa.

Experiment, not all razors can take a Nano grit edge and will microchip, depending on the grit, number of laps and the condition of the steel. Worst case is you round the edge or it micro-chips. Just lightly joint the edge on your finisher and 20-30 laps later you are back where you started. Any good Chrome Oxide or Cerium will improve most any edge, how far you want to go is up to you.

It is a fun experiment and there can be some smoking keen, smooth edges in your future.