Early on, reading the tutorials, I used the tests a lot while honing. The longer I honed the less I used them. Now, once I've looked at the edge under magnification, and I'm satisfied that there is no damage, I just go to honing. In setting a bevel I will still do a TNT. Every once in awhile I may do a TPT or pop some leg hair, as I progress, but not often. I sort of intuitively know when it is 'there' and the shave becomes the test.