I'm guessing this is sharp

So, I'm only into this for a week, so this is clearly fresh newb experience (or lack thereof). I've had difficulty with the blade sticking and a little tugging, and I've pulled some rookie moves (like trying a TNT to check for sharpness). Reading various posts, including my own, I was coming to the conclusion that the blade either did not come fully sharp (it was advertised as shave ready on SRP classifieds) or I had blown the edge. In addition to the blade sticking and a little bit of tugging, I can't get the hair on my arm to 'pop' (although it will shave it) and on a TPT, the blade seems to glide more than stick. I say all of this as a known newb, knowing that I may have the tests wrong, bad technique, etc. I'm just trying to figure out my baselines. Okay, all that said...

So I read a few pages out of the 1961 barbering manual about stropping. I think it helped quite a bit. Having a little more confidence in my stropping, I took my razor several laps on the pasted side of my Filly strop (.5 Chromium Oxide) and then several more laps on the smooth side. When I went to shave, I thought I had my angle right, but apparently not, I just touched the blade to my cheek and - instant cut. I swear I didn't even move the blade other than to touch my cheek. So, I take it that this is a pretty good indication that my blade is indeed sharp and that I still need to develop a better understanding of sharpness tests.

Just trying to confirm my thoughts (still a newb). WDYT?

Thanks.

One thing you need to keep in mind about the sharpness tests..

These tests are used when honing a razor and getting a "feel" for them is developed over time.

Performing these tests on a shave ready razor is not a good idea. The shave test is the only real test.

But yes... I try to never let the razor "rest" on my face.

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Originally Posted by mbrossar

So, I'm only into this for a week, so this is clearly fresh newb experience (or lack thereof). I've had difficulty with the blade sticking and a little tugging, and I've pulled some rookie moves (like trying a TNT to check for sharpness). Reading various posts, including my own, I was coming to the conclusion that the blade either did not come fully sharp (it was advertised as shave ready on SRP classifieds) or I had blown the edge. In addition to the blade sticking and a little bit of tugging, I can't get the hair on my arm to 'pop' (although it will shave it) and on a TPT, the blade seems to glide more than stick. I say all of this as a known newb, knowing that I may have the tests wrong, bad technique, etc. I'm just trying to figure out my baselines. Okay, all that said...

So I read a few pages out of the 1961 barbering manual about stropping. I think it helped quite a bit. Having a little more confidence in my stropping, I took my razor several laps on the pasted side of my Filly strop (.5 Chromium Oxide) and then several more laps on the smooth side. When I went to shave, I thought I had my angle right, but apparently not, I just touched the blade to my cheek and - instant cut. I swear I didn't even move the blade other than to touch my cheek. So, I take it that this is a pretty good indication that my blade is indeed sharp and that I still need to develop a better understanding of sharpness tests.

Just trying to confirm my thoughts (still a newb). WDYT?

Thanks.

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I guess my initial thoughts are that even a razor that is not quite sharp enough to provide a comfortable shave can still easily cut through your skin as you described. So I think that your suffering is not a foolproof indication of the razor's shave-readiness

If your shaves improve consistently, it may just be that some shaving technique skill (practice) is all you lack. If not, it could be that your razor needs some attention; perhaps better or more stropping, or a proper professional honing job. The thumbnail test may have dulled the edge to the point where it cannot give you the comfortable shave you're looking for. In this case, you may want to consider sending the razor to a pro for honing

Good luck!

It is so hard to diagnose a sharp razor over the Internet but hey we try...

First your tests, the easiest way to learn all the tests in to buy a 5 pack of DE blades at Wally World or wherever you can find them... Try all the tests on these it will give you a "baseline"

Unfortunately no the cut doesn't mean the razor is shave ready it just means your approach to your face was either too steep or you stopped the razor...

Sideburns to jawline the "perfect pass" should tell you the shave readiness of any razor... Place the razor on the face with the spine touching the skin slowly start the down stroke and bring the spine away from the face until it cuts hair smoothly... that is the right angle...

In skiing, they say you get better with every turn. I guess around here you get better with every stroke. Anyway, thanks a lot guys, I know this all sounds basic to you, but it's a big help to me. I'm learning a little bit more every day.

Thanks!

Work on pre shave prep, focus on blade angle and stretching. Might help to figure out if it is technique or the razor .... or a little of both.

Make very short strokes and find out right angle which razor will shave comfortable. then use exact angle .
Angle will depend
wedge or hallow blade
taped or not taped blade.
of course preparation and stretching skin is another part of to get comfortable shave.
hope this helps