Thread: TPT-Refining Its use-As in, Need Help with!

As a relative honing newbie, I too have found the TPT to get less sticky as I polish more. To clarify, less sticky than, say, after setting the bevel on the DMT 1200. Off the DMT 1200, the thumb pad is so damn sticky it's almost dangerous to even try it - you have to be very light and careful. I think the TPT is related to how the edge looks microscopically. It makes sense to me that at lower grits (~1k) it's microscopically serrated, which makes it want to cut skin very easily (your TP), but not necessary hair as easily (your whiskers). The TPT can tell you something at higher grits also, if you know what you're looking for, but it's definitely not as sticky. Sorta sticky, but different. I'm not sure how to explain it other than to try for yourself on many razor at many grits to develop a feel for it.

Anyway, I do look for the super sticky TPT across the entire length of the blade when setting the bevel. I sometimes do the TNT too, but lately I don't bother as much. IME, if the TPT passes to my liking, the TNT is sure to also. I generally only use the TNT if it's a problem blade and I want to see how the bevel is doing at certain points. Past the bevel setting stage, I don't use TNT or TPT anymore, personally. It's all about how it shaves leg and arm hair after that. I've found that I can be very reliable this way, and at this point, I know exactly how it should or shouldn't shave/pop the arm/leg hairs at each stage.

My favorite final test at the moment is to mow my leg hair down, ATG. My leg hair is roughly between 0.5" and 0.75" long, and what I do is brush the hair ATG (upward) a few strokes with my palm to get it sort of standing up, and then lightly take the razor and tree top the last 1/8" or so of the tips of the hair still ATG. If it clips them at that length without any hesitation at the heel, middle, and toe, I'm good to go for a great shave. So far, every razor that passes this test to my liking has given a great shave. I've found that razors that do not pass this test might shave "OK," but not exceptional. For me, it seems to be the test, but I'm sure that eventually a razor or two will come along that prove otherwise.