Thread: Sharp enough

Originally Posted by Utopian

This is a constant question. The answer is generally a variation on "depends on the hair" and "depends on the blade." Recently JimmyHAD referred to it as a parlor trick and I think that's about right. The best way to test for sharpness is to shave with it.

When I referred to the hanging hair test as a 'parlor trick' I was using an expression I had seen used by others on the forum repeatedly. Some members responded that they feel it is a reliable measure of a razors sharpness and that they would not shave with a razor that would not pass the HHT.

At that time I couldn't get a razor to pass the HHT but I was getting what I considered good shaves with my razors at the level of sharpness I was achieving. Since then I have been able to get razors I have honed and stropped to pass the HHT and I can truly say that the razors that I have honed and stropped to that level give me a closer and more comfortable shave.

I have had a strong case of SRAD and I have close to 100 of the things so I have been getting a lot of practice honing. I am easing up and only have three on the way to me this week so maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. If only I had a long Swaty I could die happy.

OK. I snuck out and bought a Norton 4000/8000 stone when the wife wasn't looking. While I was there I picked up a 0.5 micron film thinking that I might be able to use this after finishing with the 8000. I thought it could be used with a "stropping" type stroke to to polish the edge up. Any thoughts?