Thread: Honing without the TPT/ Am I doing it wrong?

For the life of me I cannot get the Thumb Pad Test to work. I have tried wetting my thumb with saliva, I have tried with water. I've done it on blades I know shave fine, and even ones I know won't shave at all. I even tried on new and old double edge blades, granted they were the walmart variety.

I try just pressing my thumb to the edge and I try moving the pad along the edge with differing amounts of pressure making sure not to press hard enough to cut myself. I still don't feel anything. Am I not pressing hard enough?

So my question is, are there people out there that just cannot feel the sensation of the TPT or is it something I am doing wrong?

Thus far I rely on every other test to hone my razors and I am pleased with the results though I feel getting the hang of the TPT will save me from doing extra laps to make up for it and will also allow me to better judge the progression of my edge.

Randydance suggested to me that I take a new DE blade and practice the TPT with it to get the feel of a sharp blade. That worked for me.

Originally Posted by JCitron

I even tried on new and old double edge blades, granted they were the walmart variety.

Tried it, how hard are you pressing? Should I be feeling it with a light touch or does it take a bit of pressure? Also, are you soaking your thumb or just wetting it?

I should also point out that I'm not in any line of work that may cause me to have callouses on my thumb so I don't think my skin it too thick.

Originally Posted by JCitron

Tried it, how hard are you pressing? Should I be feeling it with a light touch or does it take a bit of pressure? Also, are you soaking your thumb or just wetting it?

I should also point out that I'm not in any line of work that may cause me to have callouses on my thumb so I don't think my skin it too thick.

I slide my thumb pad along the edge from heel to point gently. On a sharp blade it grabs my skin while on a dull one my TP slides along like it was on ice. I moisten it with water from the hone or sometimes saliva. I try to avoid the saliva as I don't want acids to start some sort of micro corrosion.

I just sat in front of the computer with a razor in hand to see just how I actually do a TPT..
I hold the razor so that the spine is resting across the first inside crease of my forefinger, and gently bounce the actual corner edge of my thumb pad along the blade edge, and check for that sticky feel to grab at the skin...
I do not slide the razor across my thumb, or slide my thumb across the razor, it just kinda bounces along the edge... A sharp edge will grab at it, a dull blade will not...

I wouldn't sweat that test, I do it once in a while. You have the TNT which I do and is, for me, a great indicator, and the HHT which is also great. If you can slice a little hanging hair, your razor is good to go....Go Gators!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I do not slide the razor across my thumb, or slide my thumb across the razor, it just kinda bounces along the edge... A sharp edge will grab at it, a dull blade will not...

+1, I just tried it too and Glenn put it a lot batter then I did. I bounce too.

I haven't tried that Glen, sounds like I have some testing to do when I get home. I'm also thinking maybe in my fear of cutting myself I am not using enough pressure. We'll see.

Originally Posted by zib

I wouldn't sweat that test, I do it once in a while. You have the TNT which I do and is, for me, a great indicator, and the HHT which is also great. If you can slice a little hanging hair, your razor is good to go....Go Gators!

Another tip from Randydance, once the edge passes the TNT do not continue to use it. The TNT can dull an edge that passes TPT.

First, GO GATORS!

Second, yeah, I dont touch the edge to my nail once I leave the 1200 DMT. Actually, that is usually my main indicator to move up.

Now I just have to wait to get home and try this out. Thanks guys!