Thread: Hanging air test failed?Any other tests?

I have read about some articles that say about hanging hair test but I tried that on my brand new from factory Dovo Stainless steel and it failed. Any other tests I could do to see if it is ok? Maybe it is because I don't have my strop yet? Will stropping make that much of a difference on a factory shave ready blade?

the thumb palm test and the shave test are the ones I use. If the blade grabs you as you lightly slide your thumb across & down the edge it is ready for the shave test. Others with more time in str8 shaving will tell you better ways to check your edge.

Originally Posted by stainer3

I have read about some articles that say about hanging hair test but I tried that on my brand new from factory Dovo Stainless steel and it failed. Any other tests I could do to see if it is ok? Maybe it is because I don't have my strop yet? Will stropping make that much of a difference on a factory shave ready blade?

Yes stropping ....if done properly ,.,, will make a difference. If done improperly it can ruin a shave ready edge. SRP founder and honemiester extradonaire Lynn Abrams recommends the shave as the first and best test. This thread here will be beneficial to read before you shave and this in the SRP Wiki tells of the various tests. Try the shave first .

Stropping is something you can't skip......Period.

And the best test out there:


Shaving.

Originally Posted by Disburden

Stropping is something you can't skip......Period.

And the best test out there:


Shaving.

+1

I can guess sharpness by how the razor cuts hair on my forearm. If it cuts hair above the skin without any effort (and it wants to cut into it when getting too close), I am there. If I have to "zamboni" my arm, the razor is dull. I developed this as a secondary indicator; I started with observing the blade under magnifying glass and with the TPT. The way the blade cuts into water on hone tells good stories, too.

The hanging hair test is a parlor trick and has little or no utility in judging how well the razor will shave.

Originally Posted by sparq

+1

I can guess sharpness by how the razor cuts hair on my forearm. If it cuts hair above the skin without any effort (and it wants to cut into it when getting too close), I am there. If I have to "zamboni" my arm, the razor is dull. I developed this as a secondary indicator; I started with observing the blade under magnifying glass and with the TPT. The way the blade cuts into water on hone tells good stories, too.

I have never paid too much attention to the way the blade cuts through water. Are you revering to the wave in front of the blade as you are making your stoke on the home? What is it you are looking for when cutting through water?

+1 on the Shave test... seems to be the only one I can really count on.

Originally Posted by stainer3

my brand new from factory Dovo Stainless steel

Did you get your razor pre-sharpened (shaveready) or is it the "factory" edge.. if thats the case I would just send it off to a honemeister in the classifieds and make sure its shaveready..

And yes.. the best test is the shaving test..

Maarten

Originally Posted by CraigJ

I have never paid too much attention to the way the blade cuts through water. Are you revering to the wave in front of the blade as you are making your stoke on the home? What is it you are looking for when cutting through water?

Sharp blade undercuts water differently than a dull one. It is not easy to explain for me. Watch how the edge pushes the water wave forward and if/how the water moves up the blade. The sharper the blade is, the more it "undercuts" the water rather than just pushing it.