Too Much CrOx?

[jpcwon]

Hello All,

I recently puchased a paddle strop so that I could have a dedicated Chromium Oxide stropping surface. It has worked really well, except for one thing; it doesn't seem to do much. I am now wondering if I put too much CrOx on the Strop? Can anyone tell me what happens if you "over-CrOx" your strop? I got the liquid CrOx from Jarrod @ TheSuperiorShave, and sort of just slathered the contents onto the strop.

Is there any negative effect on over-croxing? Perhaps I'm not doing enough laps on it to have an effect (usually do 15 or so), so tonight I will try wiping some of it off & maybe do 30 laps to see what happens. I know less is probably more when it comes to this, so it's my own stupid fault for putting so much on. I was just curious what, if any, detrimental effects may occur by applying too much crox to my strop? Any advice/constructive criticism is absolutely welcome!

Cheers,

JP

 

[Wid]

I'm not sure what if any negative affects would be with to much crox other than it getting messy. Did it make the strop surface change at all?

 

[jpcwon]

I'm not sure what if any negative affects would be with to much crox other than it getting messy. Did it make the strop surface change at all?

No; the strop surface seems to be the same. It's sort of a "textured" leather as opposed to smooth, and the CrOx seems to blend into the texture nicely. It was a bit messy getting it on , but I managed. I just wanted to make sure that there weren't any negative effects of applying too much Crox...

 

[Mr_Spiffy]

Keep in mind that the CrOx is something like 0.3 microns in size, so it's only for very, very fine finishing after honing. So, it won't do a whole lot to sharpen an edge up, it'll mostly only polish and straighten the very edge back out or smooth it a bit after honing. If it doesn't seem to help much, perhaps the razor needs a quick touch-up on a 12k stone or 1u film?

 

[jpcwon]

Keep in mind that the CrOx is something like 0.3 microns in size, so it's only for very, very fine finishing after honing. So, it won't do a whole lot to sharpen an edge up, it'll mostly only polish and straighten the very edge back out or smooth it a bit after honing. If it doesn't seem to help much, perhaps the razor needs a quick touch-up on a 12k stone or 1u film?

That very well could be the case. I also have a dedicated Felt strop with .5 Diamond Spray on it, and I can REALLY tell the difference after I use that. I think I was expecting something similar out of the CrOx at first, but I'm now starting to realize that's not the case. It was one of those things where I got the crox but didn't really know what to do with it..As a Newb, it's something I thought I needed (I don't..)
I eventually want to learn how to get shave-ready edges straight off my Coticule, so I'm hoping that after a while, I may not even care to use the Crox TBH...

 

[Wid]

Do this, strop a razor on the diamond then take it to the crox for 5 laps. See if it smooths the edge from the diamond.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Forget the crox. I did the same thing as you, got a coticule, couldn't quite get there and then bought a load of CROX. Still have a load of it left as croxed edges don't seem to suit my skin. Coticules are the dogs! Learn your coti and you'll forget your CROX in an instant, it's also much more satisfying getting there on a coti rather than using magic powder.
Having said that I'm sure loads of people will tell you CROX is great after this post! That's what I love about this forum, you are allowed to have your own opinions.

 

[Kentos]

As was mentioned crox is more of a final finishing step, or used to bring a slightly less than optimum edge back. I wouldn't give up on the crox yet, it will just take time to figure out where it fits into you routine, if at all.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

See, I told you someone with more experience than me would put me straight. Cheers Kent!

 

[gary haywood]

i never use crox nower days but it has done me some good turns in the past. It will smooth a diamnond edge thats afact . its going to work much better on balsa but could be slightly harsh if your not care ful, but you can do this dilucot on coticule if your keeness is just lacking do 10 x strokes on balsa crox hone and then 20 x strokes on water with your coticule . for some reason crox on balsa cuts way quiker and does increase keeness more so than aleather paddle ..thats what i have found and i did alot of testing with crox...mini leather hanging strop also works well due to slight move mant which enables the very tip of your razor to become keener.. why dont you use unicot method with your coticule instead

 

[nortac]

I'm no seasoned expert, but I find CrOx and FeOx on balsa to be very serviceable.

 

[Kentos]

See, I told you someone with more experience than me would put me straight. Cheers Kent!

Nay, mine is only an opinion, and is no more "right" than yours . My thought is to give it a fair shake before abandoning it, that's all.

 

[hokahay]

I have a TM cotton second pasted with CrOx. I used HandAmerican to paste it. Its very easy to use to much. I imagine it is like sandpaper vs sand. You want just enough to charge the cotton. Just enough. Hard to do. When one of my razors starts to lose its edge, it gets freshened with the the pasted strop, followed by the second and the leather. when that doesn't git'er done I dip to my CHUG. It is a nicely lapped Woodcraft. And it rocks! pun intended. If there is still no joy i go down to my nortons. This regime is actually the same as TZ recommends for the razors he makes. I have two. The thing about CrOx as opposed to Diamond is that the CrOx cuts smoother then diamond since it is not as hard.
So you get a harsher edge from the DIA. Some people might like that.

I have decided that the CrOx backed by the CHUG(12000 +/-) goes a long time

as usual, if nobody agrees with me, oh well.

 

[DFSDAILY]

I only use the CrOx balsa combo after 3 shaves or so to smooth out the edge a little. It'll keep the razor going for another 3 shaves and then the Swaty brings it back to tip top shape.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Nay, mine is only an opinion, and is no more "right" than yours . My thought is to give it a fair shake before abandoning it, that's all.

my dad always says more than three shakes and you are playing with yourself!

 

[jpcwon]

Thanks, guys...I will continue to use it, even if it IS "too much"!!

 

[tomjr]

i use crox on a paddle every now and again and a balsa crox strop even less, but in the beginning they seen more use. my advice is to take a clean cloth and wipe the paddle down a couple of wipes and leave it alone after that except 4 stropping of course. as stated above the are for finer polishing and edge alignment. when used just a few laps 3 to 5 has worked 4 me. but everybody has their way. if that doesn't help move down to a finishing stone. if that does't get it, moved down another stone 'type' 8k or so and so on. tom