Thread: Sharpness tests for hone progression

Originally Posted by diyguy

Thanks, Cheeks. Your post is one of the more practical summaries I've read so far that's written in language that fellow newbies can appreciate and understand. Thanks for your contribution.

Its easy to write from the perspective of a newb when you are still one yourself
I think maybe the reason so many vets get (understandably) tired of answering the same ol' questions over and over again, or answer in a vague jedi way, is because once you get used to doing something, and you get good at it, it becomes sort of routine, and you become emotionally disconnected from how truly hard it can be to grasp what can seem like simple things. However, when you just had that ah-ha moment a few days ago, the frusteration and confusion is still a fresh and indentifable feeling. You can tap into that "if they just would have explained it this way" mentality. I'm very happy if I can help someone get there just a little quicker than I did, becasue afterall, that is the point of these forums, no?

I think I have a broken thumb pad. After 2 years everything still feels the same to me after the 4kish stone and I rely on arm hair.

Luckily I only hone my own razors, so i just look like i have mange instead of shaved.

after the 4K, I only use the TPT sparingly while on the 8K, and what I have noticed is that as the blade gets keener (sharper), it starts feeling less sharp, or at least less of what you would intuit as sharp. It feels almost glassy smooth, and the only reason you would know its "sharp" is becasue the bite is more agressive, i.e. the blade will cut deeper with less of the blade.
For example, at the end of the 4K, the balde will feel smooth to the thumb pad, and as you oull it across, you may get 1/2 to 3/4 of the way across the blade and go "who! this might be cutting deep, I better back off!". Once you get through the 8K, the amount of smoothness on the edge of the balde is barely noticeable, however, the bit is more agressive, and with the SLIGHTEST amount of pressure, as you pull the blad will sink in alot quicker, so you may get ony 1/4 of the way across the blade with your thumb pad and think, "wow! this is cutting alot quicker"......
Sorry, it makes sense in my head, but its hard to explain. Just another thing I have noticed. But yes, I agree. once you are past the 4K, I find the thumb pad less helpful, and found myself relying soly on what it did to my arm hair.

Basically, the jist of it is, with all the tests, skin and hair are different from one person to the next, so its hard/impossible to say exactly how a blade will/should act at a certain stage of honing. The best thing is to test the whole edge frequently during the process, in various ways, and TAKE NOTE of the results. If it seems to be getting sharper, you are doing it right. If it seems to be getting more dull, you have made an error somewhere. try to figure out what that error was, backtrack, and try not to do it again.

Originally Posted by Cheeks

after the 4K... what I have noticed is that as the blade gets keener (sharper), it starts feeling less sharp, or at least less of what you would intuit as sharp...

I agree. I think what we feel as sharp is related to the jagged, striated character of the edge up to around 4K.

One thing you guys are missing here, a small hint...

A DE razor blade...

When you first are learning to hone and figuring out the sharpness tests this gives you a baseline sharpness test...

You are giving out tips that work for you, and have no clue if these work for him...

To the OP go to Walmart and buy a 5 pack of DE blades and see how the tests work for you on your hair, nails, and thumb pad, this will give you a tangible baseline to help get you where you need to be....

If you are one of those people that say for instance has arm hair that doesn't cut at even shaving sharp levels then you will know this and not grind on the razor chasing something you cant get...


Now go get yer "Hone On"

Originally Posted by gssixgun

**snip** go to Walmart and buy a 5 pack of DE blades and see how the tests work for you on your hair, nails, and thumb pad, this will give you a tangible baseline to help get you where you need to be.... **snip**

+1. good point. I did this as well, and it proved to be an invaluable tool for developing a feel for where it SHOULD be at. Also, I took one of those baldes and intentionally dulled it for a comparison between freshly sharp, and beyond usable dull.

Originally Posted by Cheeks

+1. good point. I did this as well, and it proved to be an invaluable tool for developing a feel for where it SHOULD be at. Also, I took one of those baldes and intentionally dulled it for a comparison between freshly sharp, and beyond usable dull.

hehehe intentionally dulled

yeah right after the TNT LOL