Thread: Arm Hair Test???

I've heard a lot of people mention the "arm hair test", but what is it and how is it done?

Drago, this test I can actually do - I'm new to this. The arm hair test: glide the razor through the last 3/4 of the length of your arm hair. A keen razor will sever them with clearly audible popping sounds. Even if a razor can achieve this feat, I sometimes don't get a great shave (a good one though). As I've read from Lynn's posts, the best test is the actual shave.

-Rob

This is a simple test. But it helps if you've got a pretty hairy arm. You're just cutting hair off well above skin level, the edge doesn't touch your arm at all.

In my case, I don't have much arm hair so I have been sticking to the hanging hair test. I mostly achieve decent results, but I think that it could be better.

Don in Ohio

If you check out Brians home page theres a video of him honing - he performs the arm hair test
http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...Sharing87.html

the Hanging hair test I don't quite understand yet - ive tried with my g/f hair but it simply bends .. im wondering if her hair is too soft .

Originally Posted by Garry

If you check out Brians home page theres a video of him honing - he performs the arm hair test
http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...Sharing87.html

That is not arm hair test. That is arm shaving. Arm hair test is performed moving the razor paralel to the skin, hovering about 2/3 lenght of your hairs from the skin, catching the tips (1/3) of the hairs.

And keen razor should cut even the finest of hair. Boar or badger hair is not valid since it is too thick and easy to cut even with slightly dull razor.

Nenad

Originally Posted by superfly

. Boar or badger hair is not valid since it is too thick and easy to cut even with slightly dull razor.

Nenad

I disagree boar or badger hair is more like facial hair than my arm hair. I know if it cuts boar hair it will give me a good shave.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I disagree boar or badger hair is more like facial hair than my arm hair. I know if it cuts boar hair it will give me a good shave.

Yeah it is, but the point is not to prove that the razor can cut your beard whiskers, it certanly can (even dull razor), but to cut much finer arm hair, which proves the comfortable shaving sharpness. But, different strokes for different folk

Nenad

Originally Posted by superfly

Yeah it is, but the point is not to prove that the razor can cut your beard whiskers, it certanly can (even dull razor), but to cut much finer arm hair, which proves the comfortable shaving sharpness. But, different strokes for different folk

Nenad

I still disagree. A dull razor pulls your hair does not cut it. I had a ebay razor that when I shaved with for the first time, to test, didn't cut my whiskers at all. I find if it passes the hanging hair test with boar bristles I will get a close shave. In addition it's the only use I could find for the boar bristle brush.

Originally Posted by superfly

And keen razor should cut even the finest of hair. Boar or badger hair is not valid since it is too thick and easy to cut even with slightly dull razor.

Maybe you think so, but I have never been able to pass that test even with a razor honed by Lynn. I have fine, soft arm hair.

Originally Posted by superfly

Yeah it is, but the point is not to prove that the razor can cut your beard whiskers, it certanly can (even dull razor), but to cut much finer arm hair, which proves the comfortable shaving sharpness. But, different strokes for different folk

The idea is to get the best shave. The shave is the test. So, a hair that's closest to the hair you're shaving is the best test.