Originally Posted by
Jimbo
I'm sure others have already said this, or else you have found some of the old threads on edge tests at the various stages etc. With the edge tests you need to work on calibration - that is usually an iterative process developed over either many years or many razors, or both.
Yes, there are general guidelines and possibly even standard "minimums" below which you can be assured your edge is not there, but the finer points of edge assessment have an element of subjectivity to them that you can only learn through consistency, detailed investigation and, perhaps most importantly, experience and time.
Keeping a honing and shaving diary could help. I used to take notes when I honed (like a workout), not only recording hones used and strokes on each etc, but also the results of the edge tests (thumbnail off the 1 and 4K, arm hair wafting tests off the rest, sometimes the thumbpad test too) - noting the feeling, speed, sound etc. Then I would compare that to the test shave. Rinse and repeat.
Hard to say whether it sped up my learning process or not. But it definitely helped me develop consistency and structure.
James.