Thread: Q on arm hair tests

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I got very tired of walking around with a bald left arm and began to go to my legs. Pretty soon I got tired of that too and as joke said, I can put the edge on my arm or leg hair and feel where it is without having to cut much if any at all. Comes with time and practice.

Jimmy~ I'm having that distal baldness problem Starting to prefer the SAHT (single arm hair test)

Just like any other of the tests that one has progressed quite far from where it first started...
Because of the differences in hair, again you have to calibrate it for more info ....

But what it was originally designed for and what it is about 99% foolproof for is to show a good bevel set, that really was it in a nutshell, If the edge cuts hair the bevel is there, and it is time to move up... I test about 5 spots on the edge to verify and like Jimmy I am all about saving hair I clip about half a hair at a time hehehehe

Like I said though now it has been expanded, and how it cuts hair can also be used as an indicator but you have to figure that stuff out on your arm

On my arm I can test 1k, 4k, and 8k levels and each will pop hair different... but me telling you that doesn't mean anything, until you figure it out on your arm...

In that web-cast video what you don't see is the umpteen razors that Lynn and I honed before the camera was working, which is why I am testing hair so far up on my arm I had none left by that time

This is why I stopped relying on the arm hair as much as I used to . It doesn't grow back fast enough.

so, the gist of it is, regardless of what I saw in the video, you have learn it from experience....

SOMEWHERE, I'm going to learn the science of honing. It can't all be an art!

Where's the "Beat head against wall" emoticon?

Goog

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

so, the gist of it is, regardless of what I saw in the video, you have learn it from experience....

SOMEWHERE, I'm going to learn the science of honing. It can't all be an art!

Where's the "Beat head against wall" emoticon?

Goog

Ahhhhhh you just figured out the frustration part of honing,,,

Many of the Knife and Tool guys get caught up in the science when they start razor honing, and over the past few years here of trying to explain, that there is no comparison to other types of honing/shapening, I have finally come up with this statement which seems to make some sense of it...

"The difference in honing a straight razor, when compared to every other type of honing/sharpening is the "Skin Factor" you are taking one of the sharpest edges known to man, and sliding it across your face... It not only has to be sharp it has to be smooth, and that is what creates the difference"

Fun Huh????

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

so, the gist of it is, regardless of what I saw in the video, you have learn it from experience....

SOMEWHERE, I'm going to learn the science of honing. It can't all be an art!

Where's the "Beat head against wall" emoticon?

Goog

You got it.

It's at times frustrating, but give it time. Not too long ago I somehow (don't ask cause I don't know what I did different ) felt a huge improvement in my edges.

I can't narrow it to any one thing though...

I'd just like to address your initial question.

I too pondered over whether Glenn 'popped' or 'shaved' hairs off the 1k in that same video. I think the question was even vaguely asked in there at some point but was barely addressed and then confused by the interchanging of the terms both 'popping' and 'shaving'.

To me 'popping' is cutting hair without the blade touching the skin. 'Shaving' is touching the skin and shaving off hair.

Saying that.. all hair is so very different and you will receive plenty of advice from many of us based on our own experiences.. which while amazingly valuable can be a little misleading at times because it is completely uncomparable. I have had pro honed blades that will not 'pop' my arm hair. Not a chance in hell. They shaved my face sublimely. Go figure.

I now use leg hair to shave test. Consistent and a little coarser.

I soon worked out that once I can 'shave' hair off the 1k, on all sections of blade and with uniformity in scratch pattern and edge perimeter, I can move up in grit level. I test again for scratch pattern and edge perimeter uniformity after 4k and then I test for 'pop' after 8k. After that it is all cream and personal taste.

Hopefully Sham chimes in.. he has some pretty strong opinions on the behaviour of an edge at 1k level and might I say has been a great influence and help on my own honing.

Good luck in your endeavours sir.
Mykel

Originally Posted by avatar1999

You got it.

It's at times frustrating, but give it time. Not too long ago I somehow (don't ask cause I don't know what I did different ) felt a huge improvement in my edges.

I can't narrow it to any one thing though...

Robatarr...Uh, I mean Ab1999.....

I've seen a dramatic improvement since our session together last month. The advice you gave me has been very valuable and I've gotten 4 or 5 shaving very nicely. I stopped wetting my arm and that is a better test for me. I'm also paying much closer attention to what I see under the scope as I go along.

Goog

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is why I stopped relying on the arm hair as much as I used to . It doesn't grow back fast enough.

Have you considered adopting a dog from the pound?