Thread: The Almighty Hanging Hair Test (HHT)...

Originally Posted by scarface

You know, I've often read about the thumbnail test, but everytime I try to visualize it, I always have visions of bleeding thumbnails....blood spurting everywhere.....evil men approaching me with razors, asking "Is it safe?"..."Is it safe?" (see "The Marathon Man")....and I end up curled up in the corner with a near terminal case of the 'heebie-jeebies'...

...so, exactly how is it performed?

ie - is the razor drawn along the thumbnail in a slicing motion (ala honing), a cutting motion (ala slicing bread), or perpendicular to the cutting edge (ala a paint scraper)

-I've got to stop now - I feel the h-j's coming on.

-whatever

-Lou

Ok, first things first. You are here-by admonished that you will forever cease and desist from ever again using the word "slice," or any of it's derivatives, when discussing straight razors. This is because we, as competant straight razor "tonseurs" never, ever, slice anything. Ok?? So thou shalt go out and use the "S" word no more...

Trust me, the thumb nail propper is an avascular tissue, meaning it ain't got no blood vessles and if you were to cut it it ain't gunna bleed. If it does, you just chopped off your thumb so put down that hatchet and get your straight razor instead.

Seriously, I'm pretty sure there is a good description of the "thumb nail" test for honing somewhere in the SRP archives, but if not, or you can't find it, I'd be happy to describe it to you (but maybe in another, more topic appropriate thread. Remember, the monster-rators...err...I mean moderators, are watching )

Scott