Thread: The Thumb Tests

I think I might disagree a little, but I won't. So your razors are not getting sharp. If they are passing the HHT test your at the bottom level of sharpness. A thumb nail test won't do squat for you. Thats a test used at a low end of dull. A thumb pad test is for after stropping. So, lets see. Passes HHT. How does it shave? Lets go over a scale first . . .

10=shaves great
9= shaves ok
8= passes thumbpad
7= shaves fair
6= passes HHT
5= shaves poor/pulls
4= pulls alot, causes damage, cuts, irritation
3= passes thumbnail test
2= poor bevel
1= poor bevel, oxidized edge etc.

Once you get to the HHT, its all about smoothing and making good high quality strokes on the hone using little to no pressure. Your technique is critical, your stroke must be perfect.

This is where most guys say they don't use an x pattern and don't think its important (despite getting stuck here). Is that true for you too?

Are you using a perfect stroke, ensuring equal pressure on high grit, ensuring the angle is exactly the same on each side of the bevel, and ensuring that each stroke is the same length on each side?

Keep working the bevel, smoothing it out, with discipline and low/no pressure and it should start to get sharper. At this point, shaving tests will probably be a better indicator for you.

If that fails, I do one pass on each side with 4K and start all over again.

I live over in VA, wanna just stop by and I'll show you?