I have used the paper method and found it useful at times. it is satisfying silently and smoothly slicing through a piece of paper after finishing a razor on a thuringian stone. like stated above, it usually folds the edge and needs to be taken back to the hone. For this reason, i don't do it often. I bet newspaper or tissue paper would be more forgiving but i haven't tried it.

I cut off a hair on an old badger brush (usually the raggedy strands jetting out) and do the hanging hair test with it. it is a lot easier to pass since the hair is more course/thicker. the hairs are also fairly consistent.

Cheers!