CrOx hard to spread

**cleanshaved** · 08-13-2012, 07:16 PM

what do you use to thin out CrOx paste. mine seems to be getting a bit think to spread.

**Gammaray** · 08-13-2012, 07:19 PM

Almost anything will do, but something that fully evaporates is preferred. Some guys use oil, but I don't like to use a residue.

Distilled water will work and will not leave anything but CrO.

Good luck.

**fast14riot** · 08-13-2012, 07:22 PM

Why not something like isopropanol? It would evaporate out in minutes rather than hours that water would take. Also it is hydrophillic, so it will remove any water with it.

-Xander

**Legion** · 08-13-2012, 07:25 PM

I use mineral oil, I haven't found it to be a problem. What surface are you applying it to? That will make a difference.

**cleanshaved** · 08-13-2012, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by legion

I use mineral oil, I haven't found it to be a problem. What surface are you applying it to? That will make a difference.

I am applying it to a leather paddle strop.

**cleanshaved** · 08-13-2012, 10:36 PM

HandAmerican CrOx states say it is detergent based. Think thats what make mine is.

**Gammaray** · 08-14-2012, 04:25 AM

The optimal solvent may depend upon the surface being applied.

Mineral oil would be OK with hard leathers, but I still prefer water or alcohol based solvents for balsa or soft Russian leathers. Once the oil is absorbed by these materials then it is there for good. I also prefer the draw of a dry surface left by water or alcohol.

Whatever works. :)

**Legion** · 08-14-2012, 05:19 AM

I mostly use balsa (and sometimes leather) and so far mineral oil has served me well. I made a new one today, in fact. It's cheap. Try a few ideas and choose the one you prefer.

**hokahay** · 08-14-2012, 07:53 AM

I have a Tim Zowada Michi-gane. He tells me it has very few abrasives. Because of that he recommends 40 linen and 50 leather before use. Then he says to touch it up with CrOx pasted cotton when it feels like needs to be freshened up. I used Hand American straight from the bottle and it's a little thick bubt its working fine. I am thinking I could maybe try the water and wipe it down or possibly the water and spray the opposite side. I've been using this method for the three blades in my current rotation. I am interested in hearing the board consensus..

Here's the strop. Too thick?

Click image for larger version.

Name: crox.jpg
Views: 84
Size: 26.0 KB
ID: 264984

**Slash McCoy** · 08-14-2012, 08:25 AM

Glycerine.

**TheLegalRazor** · 08-14-2012, 09:02 AM

You can also purchase CrOx in a spray from Straight Razor Designs. I don't know what liquid they use and the product description on the web site doesn't say, but it looks like water. I use it on wool felt and it works well. I imagine it would work equally well on any other surface.

**hokahay** · 08-14-2012, 09:41 AM

Here is a link about it suggesting alcohol.

http://japaneseknifesharpening.blogs...felt-pads.html

He has it nearly as thick as my cotton.

This link from Hand american says:
"When it came to chromium oxide it was important to include a detergent in the mix so that the compound would wash off of peoples hands and clothing easily. The detergent agent that we use is one of many that we tested and the only one that we found acceptable."

http://www.handamerican.com/compoundnotes.html

So, can we assume it is in conjunction with water and thin it out with the same?

Here it says:

Chromium (III) oxide, Cr₂O₃ is the main oxide of chromium. It is amphoteric and while it is insoluble in water, it will dissolve in acid. It is found in nature in the form of a rare mineral, eskolaite. It is used as a pigment, producing a dark green color.

Saying water won't affect it.

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Descriptive_Chemistry/Chem_2C_Transition_Metals_and_Coordination_Complex es/Chemistry_of_Chromium

**A35335** · 08-14-2012, 02:37 PM

I use isopropyl alcohol, like the japaneseknifesharpening link above. Works fine on felt, leather, nanocloth, etc.

R

**cleanshaved** · 08-14-2012, 04:01 PM

I never thought of using isopropyl alcohol. I do like the idea of a quick flash off when applied. will give the Iso' a go.

**ShavedZombie** · 08-16-2012, 04:30 PM

I like to use neatsfoot oil to cut my CrOx for strops with low draw, and on high-draw strops I use nothing. Apply the paste, then find a card (credit cards work best since they're sturdy), smooth the edge with 2000grit sand paper, and then use it to scrape the CrOx into a fine, thin layer.

For fabrics, the same method can be used, or cut it with water