Thread: Paddle strop + diamond paste?

Folks have warned me off using the green chromium oxide crayons with straight razors because the size of the abrasive particles was too variable.

I’ve only used the emulsion in oil and on leather or balsa paddle strops. The particle size is much more uniform. You don’t need much and it lasts a long time.

CBN is cubic boron nitride. Chromium Oxide comes in many forms from powder, pastes, sprays and crayons. The thing is you have to get the pure form properly micron rated. Most of the polishing bars etc are mixes and not fine enough

Yes, most of the stick sold as Chromium Oxide or Green polishing compound used for polishing or knife/tool sharpening contain mostly Aluminum Oxide and very little Chromium Oxide. Aluminum Oxide will leave a chippy edge.

I believe Hand America was the supplier for SRD and possibly Mastro Levi Hand America sold sticks, spray and liquid at one time, I do not believe they are still in business, their web site is unclear and states they are moving but no dates of posting.

You can also purchase pure Chrome Oxide powder from Kremer Pigments, (Chrome Oxide Green.Order number: 44200)
their smallest quantity is 100g about 3.5 ounces or 2/3 cup, and more than several lifetimes supply. It is inexpensive, $10.

Any paste once applied to a strop, can never be completely removed, so test it on a piece of cardboard first. The razor can be rehoned if needed. Kremer’s is probably your safest bet, for pure Chrome Oxide.

Thanks to all for the helpful answers

The $20 strop I have isn’t completely smooth. It has some imperfections in the smooth face. Can I sand those? Or just flatten/compress with something?

As long as they are low, won't make any difference. If they are filled with paste, might make things more aggressive.
I have steered away from anything except some CroOx and FeOx. They do smooth things out nicely.
Even good to rejuvenate an edge at times.
My issue is that excessive stropping with any abrasive paste will eventually (OR immediately, depending upon what is used!) round the bevel. Diamond paste is very aggressive, I only use .25 and even then as last resort on old wonkey wedges.
Enough of this will negate a fine hone touch-up and render the bevel to need resetting.

As the bevel is rounded enough, a fine stone cannot reach the edge.
I usually never re-apply CroOx after post-honing tuning and rely on good stropping to carry the edge forward.
If it dies, back to the 1k and forward for me. JMO

No paste, just plain leather. Seller said he applied neatsfoot oil, but that’s it as far as I know. I’ll lightly strop my $2 special and see how it does.