Thread: Thumb pad test

Hi guys

Can someone just clear up what the thumb pad test is and the best way to perform it?!!! I am HHT sharp, just wanna make sure i doing all the right checks, in fact a list of razor checks, pre shave, would be good to if you have time!!!

Cheers

Pea

With a moist thumb pad gently touch the edge and draw your thumb in a perpendicular motion (across, not along) the edge to feel how it cathes.

X

the best way to do the thumb pad test is not to do it...a test was to draw the blade lightly across you thumb nail but that and the hht test are a waste of time and hair...your razor can pass the hht and still shave awful...after honing the razor, I inspect the blade under a microscope. If the edge looks good then I shave with it...If you dont know what a good edge looks like have a member of the forum or lynn hone it for you and before you strop or shave with it look at the edge under the scope...lynn tought me a good microscope not radio shack is one of the most important tools you can have to sharpen razors with...

I don't have a scope and neither did most barbers in history. Maybe I take twice as long honing a blade as I would if I had one, but it doesn't really take that long anyhow and it's fun. I use TPT & HHT regularly. They are my microscope.

X

I use light.
The way the light reflects off the edge itself tells me what it looks like.

I'm honing and shaving comfortably, just wondered what the thumb pad test was!!. I like to use light also, but i agree about the hht passing and still shaving badly, cos it happened to me untill i got a decent stone and taught myself to hone!!