Quote Originally Posted by meperry64 View Post
Can someone please answer this specific question? How do we test to confirm the blade is properly sharp and ready to shave.
You shave with it.


I understand all this takes patience and practice to develop technique, which is what makes straight razor shaving so compelling. The part that worries me is trying to develop that technique with an ill-prep'd blade where I can never get off the ground.

I'm concerned at the very least I may not be stropping correctly (width of strop, linen vs. leather, # of strokes, etc), but at worst that my inexperience may be killing the professional shave-ready hone and so I need to start thinking of going back to the beginning and learn to use the stone. I'm not afraid of the stone, I just want to know when it's necessary.

I realize there are many here who are sufficiently experienced that you "just know" your blades are well-prep'd and ready after honing and stropping.

My specific question: what test(s) of the blade for adequate prep did you use as you developed that experience - how do you know when the blade needs add'l or adjusted stropping vs. how do you know when it's time to hone - where you were able to proceed with confidence that your blades were ready and so allowed you to focus on face prep, lathering, blade angles, etc.

Thanks for any more guidance.
It doesn't shave well. (pulls, skips etc.)