Quote Originally Posted by honedright
Joe,

Maybe we are talking about the same thing, and maybe not, but...

I have been using the thumb test for over 20 years, and when I run the ball of my thumb lightly along, parallel to, not across perpendicular to, a keen edge immediately after stropping, it does "stick" and that is exactly the sensation you should be looking for. Yes, it would slice my thumb were I to use more pressure and/or draw my thumb along the edge in a single movement.

Scott
And I'm saying it shouldn't along the length of a keen edge. In it's cutting direction, a blade will stall a lot if it has chips or a wire edge. A keen edge, however, should feel perfectly smooth, as smooth as the bevel. The termination of the striations forms the microserrations. I've never done it and I never will, so I can't tell you from experience, but I'm wondering what could grab grazing skin along a keen edge that wouldn't grab a whisker rather than cut it. When I move my thumb lightly along the bevel it feels smooth.

Where did you find your test? Is it described anywere?