Thread: TPT and "Sticky" Feeling!

In one of Lynn's honing videos he describes the thumb pad test and the sticky feeling you feel when the blade is sharp. I was never able to get my razor to the point where it felt sticky, and convinced myself that I just had a defective thumb. I drove myself nuts wondering if my razor was truly sharp, so I ordered one from SRD and it came yesterday. THUMB NOT DEFECTIVE! Now I know what the "sticky" feeling feels like. Can't wait to shave with it.

It's good to hear that you're thumb isn't defective!

Any chance for a follow-up when you figure out why your honing hasn't achieved that "sticky" feeling?

I guess your shaves must have been rather harsh and tuggy, then! The sticky feeling starts for me when I finish on the 1000 grit, it improves dramatically on 4K and 8K and for kitchen and pocket knives, stropping gets them quite sticky.

You may also want to feel the difference before and after shaving and between a dry and a wet thumb. They're quite different in my case!

Another thing I find, The sticky may go and come if I hold the hone in my hand or stabilize it on the table. I TBT with my left thumb.
so if it seems close. set down the hone and take a p^% call and then test the edge! Saves going too far and having to start over after dulling the razor lightly on glass ( Only the weight of the blade. )
IT takes time and some days nothing works!
~Richard

Would it be fair to interchange the word "Sticky" and "Grippy"?

Originally Posted by Siguy

Would it be fair to interchange the word "Sticky" and "Grippy"?

Best I can describe it is the feeling with my thumb flat against the blade and parallel to the edge is that it feels like I don't even want to slide or push it, in a way, its like tape holding the whorls of my thumbprint to it.
YMMV
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Best I can describe it is the feeling with my thumb flat against the blade and parallel to the edge is that it feels like I don't even want to slide or push it, in a way, its like tape holding the whorls of my thumbprint to it.
YMMV
~Richard

Which would be "grippy", no?

Originally Posted by Siguy

Would it be fair to interchange the word "Sticky" and "Grippy"?

That's actually a tough question. I would go with sticky, because I use a very very very light touch to the edge. It is so light that I can't see the cuts in my skin, while a year ago I used to. Also, I associate sticky with a smooth edge and grippy with a serrated edge.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Would it be fair to interchange the word "Sticky" and "Grippy"?

Tacky might be another way to describe it.

After two years I still haven't calibrated my thumb pad, that's why I use the thumb nail test for bevels.
Each to his own, I reckon