Thread: Dry application of chromium oxide?

Just ordered some chromium oxide powder out of curiosity, the site I ordered it from (strop-shop.co.uk) states

"...Dust the powder over the surface of the strop - just like putting salt and pepper on your food. You don't want to obliterate the leather - just a fine dusting will do.

Next, take a scrap of rag, ball it up and work the powder into and all over the surface of the strop..."

Just wondering how it applies when used dry as everything else I've read for the powder is to mix it with a little oil to make a paste with it; has anyone tried applying the powder dry and rubbing it in or is it easier to make a paste?

Also if I go for the dry application would it be a good idea to put the powder in a salt/ pepper shaker to dust the powder onto the strop or would this result in too much powder being applied?

Just want to make sure I have an idea of the method to apply it whilst waiting for it to come through the letterbox

I have used it dry on a linen strop. Lightly sprinkled on. Do it outside as the crox looks like it will stain things.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I have used it dry on a linen strop. Lightly sprinkled on. Do it outside as the crox looks like it will stain things.

It sure will, no white clothes on while working with that stuff!

Best not wear my nice white lab coat when I come to apply it :P

Bill, Did you get an even coverage with the sprinkling? I'm just paranoid about an uneven application, then again I don't even have the powder yet

Whatever you do, don't try to smell it and then sneeze... I don't want to go in to how I know!

Originally Posted by Lemur

Whatever you do, don't try to smell it and then sneeze... I don't want to go in to how I know!

I'm curious as to why you'd try to smell it, also what'd it smell like so that I don't have to try :P

Originally Posted by chris0194

I'm curious as to why you'd try to smell it, also what'd it smell like so that I don't have to try :P

Hard to explain, I got to smell it yourself!
And... if you sneeze... don't touch anything, it will only make it stick harder, use the vacuum to get it off.

While its possible to apply dry overall I believe it easier to apply after it has be dissolved in a liquids base.

Since many strops have a light bit gummy stuff to them you could put some
in a pepper shaker ($2.00) and apply lightly. Enough liquid (oil) to make a spray
would be too much oil in many cases. Other liquids are possible for suspension.

There are non abrasive strop dressing for both canvas and leather.
A little bit followed by a light dusting of CrOx would do.

I have some dry CeOx that I dust on a gummy leather strop when the
draw gets too tight. Other times, I mix a small bit with strop dressing and apply.
Measure with the flat end of a tooth pick.

For example I had a hand made strop Tandy leather strop
that I applied Mink Oil on. Way too gummy.... fixed it with a light dusting of
CeOx (the good stuff).

I like CeOx because CrOx is too green and messy. Not as good/ aggressive an abrasive
but great for strops.

Pepper shaker was a good idea, thanks, will try that!