Thread: cutting paper to test sharpness??

I just read in another post about cutting paper to check a blade's sharpness.

I thought I had read somewhere that slicing paper would actually ruin a razor, but I can't recall. Any thoughts?

DISCLAIMER: I am well aware that you can't equate a sharpness test like HHT to the hallowed "shave test", but I wish there was some repeatable, objective way to be able to compare one razor's quality to another (without waiting to grow a new beard and lather up). I'm trying to compare a blade that i'm honing to a pre-honed blade, but everything i've read seems to suggest the HHT is way too subjective.

Please dont.

Don't cut anything but hair or you'll have to re-hone all over again.

Agreed, cutting paper is a sure way to damage a delicate edge. I wouldn't let any of my razors cut paper unless I wanted something to do (i.e. re-hone).

cutting paper is a common test for sharpness of knives.
a shave-sharp razor should most certainly be able to cut paper.
however i'm not so certain it's still shave-sharp after the test.

at the end of the day i like to use my razors for shaving, not as box cutters so the tests that are less destructive to the edge are preferable.

but of course everybody has their own opinion of how to do stuff.

I'd rather use glass if I want to breadknife a razor as it produces a more even dullness

Cutting paper will dull the blade. Long ago, I bought some high quality scissors to give hair cuts to the kids and I was told by the hair professional who sold them to me, "only cut hair, never anything else such as paper as it will ruin the edge"

12 years and counting, the scissors still cut hair well and have never been sharpened. Take care of your tools and they will take care of you.

The shave test is the best way. It doesn't take long to get the "feel" of a sharp blade. Although I have been at this for a short time, (three months) I know the sharpness of a blade and how effective it will be just by very lightly touching the edge of the blade with my thumb pad after stropping it. I moved up the learning curve quickly by diving into straight shaving and reading SRP.

Good Luck!

Pabster

Whittling hair is another test people use to gauge the sharpness of knives. That way the only thing you'll be cutting is hair.

I believe papa bull uses a paper towel to test his edges. I'll see if I can find the thread.

Here it is:http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...owel-test.html