Thread: Thumb Pad Test help.

I wet my thumb, and gently slide it on the blade. I even tried a brand new double edge and it's the same, just feels smooth and does not seem to dig in or feel "sticky" like I'm told it should if the edge is sharp.

What am I doing wrong? Is my thumb just no good for this?

what you are doing is correct.it will be sticky in lower grit level.gl

So, the test "only" works in the lower grits?

no it will be not proper wording if we say test works on lower grit but doesnt work higher grit level. It works on both but feeling on your thumb is different. Think this way .in lower leves you do have saw teeth so it will stick to your thumb. Now as higher you go edge gets more finer and you are getting flat line very thin sharp.you will have different feeling.i am on cell phone sorry any mistyping

Don't allow your thumb to slide. If it doesn't stick, you're not there yet, but if you let it actually slide, there's a chance that it will slice you anyway.

I guess what really has me confused is I tried the same thing on a brand new DE blade and have the same results. Could the DE blade be that dull?

If it ain't sticky it is dull. OTOH, if you are like me and have callus on your finger tips, I work on bicycles a lot, it is more difficult. I actually use the portion of my thumb pad off center to the left to get a softer area where I feel more acutely. I got the hang of it over time beginning with trying it on a DE blade but, believe it or not, I still am educating my thumb and improving the feel. Same with HHT. I read Glen's saying that you 'learn' the HHT and was puzzled. Seemed to me it either does or it doesn't but after awhile I began to learn it and see that he was right. It is kind of the same thing. The more you mess with it the better it gets.

To me, the test is not about sliding the thumb pad. It is about touching the edge to the left and right on the thumb pad so the slide is not vertical, but horizontal. I do not use water either. Actually, I also find that the edge will grab more on a callous.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

To me, the test is not about sliding the thumb pad. It is about touching the edge to the left and right on the thumb pad so the slide is not vertical, but horizontal. I do not use water either. Actually, I also find that the edge will grab more on a callous.

Have fun,

Lynn

Thanks Lynn,

I just want to clarify one thing... when you say horizontal, do you mean that you are still checking for sticking in the direction of the edge, or perpendicular to it?

I have always done this with a vertical feeling. Not really sliding, but presenting my thumb pad with a hint of vertical intention... if it sticks, then It's getting pretty sharp.

So, is this a difference in the grip and thumb pad positioning, or are you feeling across the edge like you might to to check a camp knife or something?

Definitely across the edge or perpendicular.

Thanks,

Lynn

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Thanks Lynn,

I just want to clarify one thing... when you say horizontal, do you mean that you are still checking for sticking in the direction of the edge, or perpendicular to it?

I have always done this with a vertical feeling. Not really sliding, but presenting my thumb pad with a hint of vertical intention... if it sticks, then It's getting pretty sharp.

So, is this a difference in the grip and thumb pad positioning, or are you feeling across the edge like you might to to check a camp knife or something?