Thread: Favorite method to check bevel?

i use a combination of an eye loupe and arm hair test and my left arm is near bald to prove it!!!

Im using all the above tests and none are consistant yet so ill keep at it and cross my fingers that one or two of these tests work for me soon and become consistant. TNT is getting close. Thanks for the thread. Good to know im on the right track.

I use both the thumb pad test (looking for that sticky feeling with a moist thumb) and see if the entire edge shaves arm hair at skin level. Hasn't failed me yet.

Originally Posted by rodb

i use a combination of an eye loupe and arm hair test and my left arm is near bald to prove it!!!

Ha! I was just thinking this - there's a bunch of us walking around with bald spots on our arm!

When your arms are smooth, you can always use your leg hair gents.
Or if you have ever re-knotted a brush, the old knot is a goldmine of HHT test stock..
I have a badger and boar knot I saved for this re-purpose. The boar is easier to cut than the badger so I use the badger for bevel testing purposes personally. The boar, a mild scrubby brush now..
YMMV of course...

Originally Posted by trondsi

What do you mean by calibration in this context? Is there a "set" feel to it that you have learned, or do you always compare to another blade?

Good question. When I say "calibrate" I mean that over time I have intentionally learned what a set bevel feels like.

I usually use the TNT. That way I can easily pick out any imperfections in the edge.

I never thought pulling a blade across your thumb nail would allow you to feel every detail about the edge but it really does.

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I use TNT. easy way to check it, is get a single edge disposable razor blade, and draw it across your thumb nail. Now you have a point of reference. A straight grabs/sticks more than a single edge. I stop using that after bevel set, and use USB scope and TPT. micro slices on your non dominant thumb is a good sign. Take pictures with your scope, label them 1K, 5K, 8K then check your images. You will see the coarseness of the scratch pattern become less coarse and depth of scratches as you go up in hones. Cross check your self. See the image, then feel it. After a while you will be able to distinguish 5K from 8K by feel. Use all tools to corroborate your finding The more senses you engage the greater your confidence will become. I believe thats what Glenn told me when I asked years back.

Sharpie and TNT(only at 1k or less), simultaneously. After 1k, TPT and mowing armhair about 1/2" above skin level.

It's funny when we discuss the arm hair test in threads, because I see it to be a little different for some of us. If I tried to do an arm hair test 1/2" above my skin it would be straight air not hair. :-)
I have very short, fine and sparse arm hair. So my tests are alittle different. In part what I am doing when I do an arm hair test is feeling the edge on my skin. For me it should tick off the hair with any pressure and should feel fairly smooth on my dry skin.