Thread: Shave Ready but not Poppin' Hair Ready!:(

Dear Fellow Razorheads-Recieved two nice razors today- a Jahn's Jewelers and an anonymous yellow scaled razor via EBay.Paid around $24.00 for the former and $15.00 for the later. No chips and no rust! Tried using just the Naniwa 12K on the no name razor, but had to go back to 4K on both. Did 40 circular strokes on 4K plus around 10 straight and 10 diagonal strokes. Did the thumbnail test at this stage and both were grabbing the nail Then did the same on 8K and 12 K Naniwa, except no more thumbnail tests! Followed with 30 or so on the felt strop and then 60 or so on my 3" Big Daddy. Although both will shave, they are not hair poppin' sharp. VERY leary of over honing and definitely no wire edge on either using the 30X Eye Loupe. Any ideas here? Great forum!-Gearhead

After the TNT you should return to the stone you were on to repair any damage (like de-beveling) done by the TNT.

As for the distinction between 'shave ready' and 'poppin' hair ready', I just don't buy it. Shave ready should be pretty darn sharp.

If you are getting good shaves I really wouldn't worry about it not popping hair.

Now mind you I am new to honing.

Best I can do with my full hollows is(now mind you I have fine hair on my head) is get a beautiful violin off of my 12k SS,

after 40/100 on the strop I get what I will call a #4 HHT, I can very carefully rest the hair on it but the moment I move it cuts and does not jump.

I do not seem to get the same on any of my heavier grinds but they shave great so I am satisfied.

So although it can be a gauge it is not the end all be all.

Dear Fellow Razorheads-Thank you all for the quick replies! So the Thumbnail test is not a good test at 1K? If not, then what is? Going to hop on my moto-bike and clear my head for a bit-Gearhead

No that is when the TNT is used. But once you use that test and pass the common thing to do is to do 5 - 10 more laps on the 1k to correct any damage that occurred from the test.

I shave my arm hair off for testing at 1K and 4K. Beyond that I shave with it as the final test.

I have not heard of that maker....maybe a P.O.S. razor that is not able to hold an edge. Hey just my 2 cents

Actually the TNT can do more damage after the 4K stone than after the 1K stone because the edge has been refined and is somewhat more fragile. Returning to the 4K for more strokes would be required than if the test were done following the 1K. I'd personally go with from 10 to 20 passes, but then I don't ever do the TNT after the 4K for just that reason.

Maybe I should just stop the thrumbnail test. Seems like it does more damage than it's worth!-Gearhead