Thread: Thumb test...

(( I debated Putting this here or in General, but its ending up here ))

Ok, so this thumb test. I've heard it mentioned several times, I even read a few articles about it from classicshaving.com maybe? In any event, im not sure I understand it all to well. What I've gathered so far:

1. Should only be used before using a polishing hone ie... 8k norton
Using this test after a polishing hone will destroy the shaving edge?

2. Im suppose to drawl the blade across my thumb nail? (Sort of makes my skin
crawl)

3. A dull blade with just slide across my nail with no sensation, where as a keen
blade will ?Bite?

I tried using my norton stones for about 30min the other day and I attempted to use this test to see what I could judge from it, but I couldn't really tell a difference. There probably was, and im just not familiar enough to notice it. In any event, I would really appreaciate any feed back you guys could give me on this.

The thumb test is actually touching the blade with your thumb. A sticky sensation tells you it's getting sharp.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

The thumb test is actually touching the blade with your thumb. A sticky sensation tells you it's getting sharp.

Touching the ball of my thumb to the edge? (Skin crawling more) Basically letting the blade cut a couple layers of skin?

Doing lots of testing like when honing 5-10 blades will rough up the top layer of your skin a bit but it's nothing serious and goes away in a day or two. You won't even notice testing one blade.

Thanks Fire... I think my thumb will be ok... I play an old accoustic guitar a lot and it roughs up my fingers pretty good... So I'll get over it, it still feels creepy though lol...


btw... did you chance your avatar?

Np. I actually tried learning to play the guitar until one night when I got back from the club a bit tipsy, stepped on it and well... That was the end of my learning process lol. The callouses I get from honing my weekly rotation won't come even close to the ones you get from playing the guitar. As for creepy.. Naaa, that's the feeling of success

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Np. I actually tried learning to play the guitar until one night when I got back from the club a bit tipsy, stepped on it and well... That was the end of my learning process lol. The callouses I get from honing my weekly rotation won't come even close to the ones you get from playing the guitar. As for creepy.. Naaa, that's the feeling of success

lol, Well I have to hit success before I can get the feeling of success. I only pulled the stones out once so far though... so I got time... Sorry to hear about that guitar man... I find a feeling of success when I play my guitar... you spend weeks and weeks trying to learn something, and one day someone asks about the guitar and you break it out and play the song all perfect, and everyone is like... wow. Cant help but stick your chest out a little further... Im starting to get the same feeling when people ask about my razors =P I just cant quite play that tune across my face yet haha.

All it takes are time and practice. On a good note, you'll enjoy every second of the process.

I don't know where you've been reading or hanging out but here is my limited experience. First, before stropping you can check the edge quality by running the blade lengthwise along your thumb nail, drawing it along. It should bite (i.e. it should dig a little into the nail). This has little to do with "finishing hones"; before or after. Although the razor needs to be sharp, otherwise why bother. It should also bite and simultaneoulsy be smooth. Bumpiness indicates its overhoned or still has gaps in edge clarity.

Next, after stropping, you wet your thumb for about 20 seconds and run the thumbprint area across the blade sideways (I use a turning motion crossing the 30 degree angle that I'd be shaving). I don't recommend using any kind of slicing motion on the skin. With experience (and it takes experience) a keen razor will be "readible" between the lands and grooves of your thumbprint (I know it sounds improbable, but they get pretty sharp you know?) A side slicing motion can be used to cut into your thumb but one, its dangerous, and two, even an imperfect edge will cut with a slicing motion. I simply try to ensure that the edge "digs" into the side of the thumbprint groove. This digging is more of a sensation than the physical digging associated with the thumbnail portion of the test. Some describe this as stickiness. I like to take my time and really assess how sticky it is against one land of my thumbprint. I equate the stickiness to a bumpy sortof pass across a few lands and see how well it "slows".

In the beginning you should run the razor over the HHT or your arm hair to affirm your sensation that the razor is sharp. Ofcourse a razor should drop arm hair at a distance without a popping sound. You may have to resort to a shave test depending on your hair courseness, so say some. I actually hunt down the girlfriends finest hairs for my testing (but thats just me).

With practice a rolling sensation over the grooves of the thumb print in a sortof shaving motion will give you a simple feeling of whether the edge is truely sharp or not.

I find this test will work either before or after stropping. I think most guys did it after stropping in the past. It is easier to read the edge after stropping, obviously.

Likely some of the guys that use this test more than me will chime in.

That help a little?

Thanks for indepth feedback AFdavis. It has sorted out a few things for me. I do have a few questions about what you posted though...

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

This has little to do with "finishing hones"; before or after.

Maybe I could have used a better choice of words. I was refering to the 8k norton hone. I believe I read a thread here on SRP about not using the thumb nail test after using the 8k norton? I could be mistaken of course. Do you think it will damage the edge if I test the blade on my thumb nail after using the 8k stone?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Next, after stropping, you wet your thumb for about 20 seconds and run the thumbprint area across the blade sideways (I use a turning motion crossing the 30 degree angle that I'd be shaving).

Im not sure exactly what you mean here. Is it like scraping my thumb across the edge of the blade? And the 30 degree angle would be my thumb angling so that the razor is essencially ready to shave my thumb prints off!?

Sorry, im just having a hard time visualizing this.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

With practice a rolling sensation over the grooves of the thumb print in a sort of shaving motion will give you a simple feeling of whether the edge is truely sharp or not.

Im lost here... is this a different kind of test/motion from earlier?


--- I am going to start confusing myself with all these questions soon lol