Irritated skin from touching up on CroX

[DoubleB]

Hi guys,

Over the last few months I've had this weird problem going on and I can't seem to figure it out..Maybe some of you can help me out.
When touching up my razors I use Crox on balsa most of the time. 15 green/15 red. After that I carefully rinse the blade, wipe it dry and strop 30 on linnen and 80 on leather.
So far, so good, but when I shave with a freshly touched up razor it gives me some irritation on the cheeeks and neck area. If I use the same razor for the second time after touching up everything feels really smooth and clean and I get a great shave.
Anyone have similar situations?

 

[O.G.]

You probably need to strop more on linen. When coming off a coti for example one usually needs to strop at least 60 on linen then 60 on leather to smooth the edge out properly.

 

[Seraphim]

It may be too refined an edge for your skin type.

 

[Doc226]

It may be too refined an edge for your skin type.

This. Might be too keen/harsh. I don't like feel of Crox, CBN I'm ok with.

 

[Seraphim]

For me, I despise the edge crox on balsa gives (fragile edge, in my research), but I like the feel crox on a hanging cotton strop gives (more convexed, durable edge).

 

[LarryAndro]

I don't think your experience is much different than many others, including myself. We like the edge best several shaves after touching up the blade on a hone, and/or on abrasives or something similar. Is it because the edge is too sharp? Maybe, the edge has artifacts (burrs, wire edges) left from the abrasive or hone?

The answer can be all the above and more, I believe.

My theory for myself is that I like an edge that is sharp, but slightly rounded from stropping.

 

[Krodor]

Bingo. A key reason I wanted to try a finisher (CNAT / Surgical Black). About half the time I would shave coming off the CrOx/balsa, I would go to work with a red-tinged face. Later shaves would be fine. I wanted to see if I could get that keen without getting red-face. (it worked for me). Plus it is less messy, though it takes longer. I now find that I can keenify on CrOx ok as long as I keep it to 10-15 laps or less. More than that leads to red-face.

 

[DoubleB]

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it!
So it might be too sharp for my skin (I do have sensitive skin, so that could be a pointer).
I will try touching up on my coti or Naniwa 12K next time and see how that goes.
Could applying diamond spray to the backside of my linnen make a difference? Instead of the Crox?

 

[Kentos]

There are MANY theories on how to make an edge smooth AND keen. It is entirely possible the crox edge is too sharp for your technique, or the crox edge is too fragile and degrades mid shave, or the moon is in its second phase of Jupiter.

I personally don't use crox in favor of CBN and sub .1 micron poly diamond. Sadly(or happily depending on your personality) you need to just slough through all the different finishing methods to find one you like. Once you do figure it out you will be in straight shaving nirvana.

Just to further muddy the waters, my progression is a 4 nagura slurry on a jnat, pasted hanging leather with .1 CBN and .05 poly, then a few minutes with the jnat on water.

 

[Seraphim]

There are MANY theories on how to make an edge smooth AND keen. It is entirely possible the crox edge is too sharp for your technique, or the crox edge is too fragile and degrades mid shave, or the moon is in its second phase of Jupiter.

I personally don't use crox in favor of CBN and sub .1 micron poly diamond. Sadly(or happily depending on your personality) you need to just slough through all the different finishing methods to find one you like. Once you do figure it out you will be in straight shaving nirvana.

Just to further muddy the waters, my progression is a 4 nagura slurry on a jnat, pasted hanging leather with .1 CBN and .05 poly, then a few minutes with the jnat on water.

You forgot to mention that you always hone while wearing your "lucky" flip-flops!

 

[superbleu]

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it!
So it might be too sharp for my skin (I do have sensitive skin, so that could be a pointer).
I will try touching up on my coti or Naniwa 12K next time and see how that goes.
Could applying diamond spray to the backside of my linnen make a difference? Instead of the Crox?

Try the coti first, 12K naniwa leaves a really brisk edge which it sounds like you might not like.

 

[Kentos]

Wait till Doc recommends oil on the Coticule. Then you guys can debate they best type of oil for the job .

 

[Kentos]

You forgot to mention that you always hone while wearing your "lucky" flip-flops!

Dunno bout flip-flops, but I do have a lucky pair of these...

 

[rickboone1]

This is just one of the reasons I despise CrOx.

 

[Doc226]

Wait till Doc recommends oil on the Coticule. Then you guys can debate they best type of oil for the job .

No debate, its either mineral or camellia oil.

Dunno bout flip-flops, but I do have a lucky pair of these...

View attachment 253412

Where do you wear those?

 

[Kentos]

No debate, its either mineral or camellia oil.

Where do you wear those?

Only at home of course!

 

[Doc226]

Only at home of course!

Not that there is anything wrong with that.