In general, I and others have found that if you get a strong 'violin' hht off your coticule (where the hair bops across the edge) your edge is at a point where you can finish on water (30+ X-strokes, it's hard to overdo this) strop (min. 60 linen & 60 leather) and shave comfortably.
Not a fast, universal truth, but often the case. Check against a shave test and tweak when necessary.