How do you do the shave test?

Recently I have honed a couple of razors up to what I thought was shave ready. I was able to move the razor over my arm hair without touching the skin and the edge popped off the hairs with little effort. However when I went to shave the razor pulled and was very uncomfortable. It obviously needs some more time on the hones.

So I wanted to ask, how do you guys do your shave test when you are honing razors? Do you do the full face prep, shower, steam, oil, lather etc or do you just drag the razor over your face like Mistro Livi does in his video?

Maybe try changing your blade angle. I had the same problem when I first started.

It's not a problem with my technique. I have had great shaves in the past from some razors I have honed. It's just that I thought this one was shave ready when it was far from it.

no beard prep for me, if the edge feels good this way then it will feel even better with good prep.

My beard is too harsh on an edge without prep, so if I am not intending to hone the razor any further I don't try it without the beard properly softened.
I just wait till the next shave and test it then. It doesn't take me more than 1-2 strokes to know what the edge it. Often I use 7-8 razors altogether, it's a bit of a pain to strop them all without the lather on my face drying a bit too much, so I've taken to relathering.

A shave test is a proper shave for me as well.

Could be you're creating an edge best for popping hairs and performing HHT, but not quite right for shaving your beard. Perhaps you should try getting your blades almost there and see how that works, then just passed if that doesn't work.