Thread: Sharpness tests for hone progression

Hi all,

I have this stone progression:
Norton 1K -> Norton 4K -> Norton 8K -> Chinese 12K -> Plain leather strop

What are good sharpness tests for each of these steps? I would like to know when it is time to move on to the next stone, so I don't get a wire edge or have unnecessary wear on the blade/stone.

Thanks.

I would not worry about a wire edge. I have no managed to create one in 2 years and I think Glen had to do 1000 strokes on a 1k to create one.

Do a quick read through this article and see what specific questions you have.
Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by time2shave

Hi all,

I would like to know when it is time to move on to the next stone

That is the true question of honing a straight razor.. There are a multitude of "Tests" as Ben linked you to already, and they help as you gain experience but they are NOT 100% accurate by any means...
As many people are so fond of saying "It ain't rocket science" and they are correct, there is very little science involved, it is mostly feel and that you have to learn...

So in just that one question you went straight to the heart of how to hone a SR but there is no real solid answer

On a practical level, whatever method you use should not take long, since especially when beginning to learn honing, you must apply the test often. I think the thumb pad test (TPT) is best.

The problem with the TPT, and for that matter, most tests is that at the beginning they don't help you much. I can't tell you, "When XYZ happens when testing the blade with your thumb pad, then ..." At the beginning, hone the best you can, and apply the TPT frequently, and at all stages. Don't worry about how it feels on your thumb. Just apply the test and try to remember how it felt.

Occasionally, something good will happen with the edge. Remember, then, how it felt right before that good thing happened.

By applying the TPT often, you will automatically build up a sense of what the blade should feel like at various stages and hones. Then, after the above calibration process, the TPT can truly be termed a test.

Judging from the article, I may be able to use:
1K: Thumb Nail Test. Should I be able to cut arm hair after 1K?
4K: Thumb Pad Test
8K: Hanging Hair Test
12K: Shave Test

I will also be using the Thumb Pad Test across all stages to learn the feel of it.

Just an opinion -- the most useful test for anyone just beginning to hone is the "sitting around the table drinking coffee and honing with people even more blade-crazy than you" test. I learned more in a morning or two with JoeD, Holli, and Lynn than in untold hours by myself. Put out a call for help in your area, or go to a meet.

OK, I'm still a beginner --- but maybe I'm an "advanced" beginner.

Oh, and -- good luck with that hanging hair thing -- I think it's a lot more hair-specific than blade-specific.

I use the TPT on all hones up to about 4K. After that, at least for me, it is of lesser value. After 4K, I depend more on the feel (draw, suction) of the blade on the hone.

As a new honer, you may want to do more reading about the various tests than just the wiki. What's in the wiki is a good start, but many more members have shared their thoughts and opinions across the forum.

For example, here is another thread on the front page of this forum on the same subject - http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ove-4k-8k.html

Just an idea: Maybe someone can supply "standardized hairs" for razor testing. It would take some uncertainty out of it.

I agree, there is nothing like learning from the masters in person.

Originally Posted by time2shave

Just an idea: Maybe someone can supply "standardized hairs" for razor testing. It would take some uncertainty out of it.

There is no need for that. You just need to learn and calibrate the test to whatever hair you use. (BTW, this would be true even with standardized hair.) This is true of every test you do, but since the HHT is, for whatever reason, so widely publicized, the variables in it seem to be highlighted.

Consider this, having hones and having watched someone hone a razor doesn't mean you can hone well. Having a razor and a hair and having watched someone do the HHT DOESN'T mean you can perform the test and determine what the result means accurately.