How do I know it's sharp?

**DavidMGunther** · 01-19-2010, 04:08 PM

I've just begun the world of straight shaving. I want to know how I know the blade is sharp after I strop.

There has to be some kind of test other than touching it. Any tips will help. Thanks in advance!

**SiRed8** · 01-19-2010, 04:14 PM

Welcome aboard David! Usually a test shave is performed after stropping. Did you hone it by any change? In any case, most Q&A can be found here

Stropping

Honing

Best of luck mate

**DavidMGunther** · 01-19-2010, 04:18 PM

The razor came shave ready so there was no need to hone it (I'm not sure I'm ready for honing my own yet). I could do a test shave but I don't know exactly how a straight should feel yet as I've only given myself about 1/2 a straight razor shave (i've been using a saftey razor for almost a year).

**gssixgun** · 01-19-2010, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by DavidMGunther

I've just begun the world of straight shaving. I want to know how I know the blade is sharp after I strop.

There has to be some kind of test other than touching it. Any tips will help. Thanks in advance!

Because the edge was sharp before you stropped the razor, the strop simply refines the edge right before the shave, it gives it the final tweak and cleans off any micro-abrasion...

Only a shave ready edge goes to a strop...

Here is a quick little thread I just wrote yesterday it might answer some questions for you...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post528918

Also make sure to visit the Stickies at the top of this forum and the Wiki for more extensive Info..

**Del1r1um** · 01-19-2010, 04:20 PM

There are some tests, but they are kind of tricky... it's like you have to know what you are looking for in order to tell if you have passed a test.

The most foolproof test is to have a shave with the razor, but even then we constantly hear about people who use razors for their first shave that are known to be sharp (professionally honed by an actual razor user) and because of poor technique, they think the razor isn't sharp yet.

The best advice i got when I started shaving with a straight was to send my first (and second) razor to be honed by one of the pros (click this link) and then use it without stropping the first time...

Then repeat until technique improves and you get a good shave. By then you'll know what it feels like, and any razor that doesn't feel as smooth or comfortable isn't shave ready. I'd recommend having them honed by a pro regardless, just so you can take any guesswork out of the equation.

I hope this helps
Dave

**SiRed8** · 01-19-2010, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by DavidMGunther

The razor came shave ready so there was no need to hone it (I'm not sure I'm ready for honing my own yet). I could do a test shave but I don't know exactly how a straight should feel yet as I've only given myself about 1/2 a straight razor shave (i've been using a saftey razor for almost a year).

If you stropped correctly, the edge should cut whiskers with ease. Generally, a razor that cut some hair and pull is not sharp. If it glides over your whiskers and does not remove hair it's overhoned. An ideal razor can best be summarized as no microchipping on edge, it's straight nice refined edge, very small dark striation.

I haven't honed enough to to be an expert. I'm actually a n00b and going off on what I remember from Lynn's DVD. Few clips are also available on homepage.

YouTube - Straight Razor Place DVD - Segment 1

**Stubear** · 01-19-2010, 04:44 PM

Yep, the best test is the shave test. Once you start getting into the other tests you are in for a world of confusion because the tests are so subjective and are actually only any use if you know what you are looking for..!

Watch the videos in the vids section, read as much as you can from the Wiki and other threads and have a go at the shave. Do be prepared to put in some time learning how to shave though. As others have said, sometimes newbies get a poor shave due to an unrefined technique and can blame it on the razor, even though the razor is fine!

It may be worth sending the razor to a pro, just so you KNOW that the edge is good. Then if the shave isnt up to snuff you know to put more practice in, not hone the razor.

Good luck!

**Croaker** · 01-20-2010, 12:36 AM

If the razor is truly shave ready, and if you do not know how to strop, I would just shave with it and see how it does. It is very easy to roll the edge of a shave ready razor on the strop, if you have not learned the correct technique.

**ziggy925** · 01-21-2010, 03:11 AM

You have to shave with a truly shave ready razor to know what it feels like, and even then a newbie is going to have problems on the chin and other areas of the face. So, you really have to start off with a razor that's been professionally sharpened and don't strop it first.

Once stropped it should feel the same or better. As for tests, you can try a thumbpad test and a hanging hair test, both are shown elsewhere on this site. The hanging hair test is easy. Just pull a hair out and see if the blade easily cuts it. Don't stretch the hair, just drop is over the blade while keeping a grip one one side of the hair.

The thumbpad test is a little tricky. You slide your thumb along the edge of the blade with very gentle pressure. The blade will ever so slightly cut into your thumbpad and you will feel it stick. A dull blade will let your thumbpad slide along the edge easily without the sticky feel.

Either of these two tests shows your razor is in the shave ready ballpark, but the definitive test is actually shaving.

If you try the thumbpad test please be careful. Your thumb should not bleed at all and there should be no pain -- just a "sticky" feel. You are just cutting into the first layers of skin, and if done right you won't see anything unless you look at your thumb with a magnifier. Check out some videos before you do it.

**Pabster** · 01-21-2010, 03:28 AM

One way that I learned while learning was to lightly touch the edge with the base of the thumb pad. By doing this over time and associating it with shaves, then you will know what a sharp blade feels like. I just strop and touch and decide if it needs more stropping or a visit to the pasted strop. You will know it needs honing when the blade is sharp, but the shave is rough.

The other easy way to see if it is sharp is to dry cut some hair off your arm. You should feel the blade catching and knocking off a few hairs.

The shave test is always the final word on whether it is sharp enough. Welcome to straight shaving and keep at it! SRP is hear for you!

Once you are proficient, you will thank yourself everytime to shave!

Pabster

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