Thread: So that's what a sharp razor feels like.

I've been using a TI that I wasn't really happy with, I've decided that I was never able to get it really sharp. It has been sent to Randy for a proper honing. In the interim I bought this razor shave ready. The difference was amazing. It could just be that it is truly sharp, but I like the heavier razor. I'm anxiously waiting for my TI to come back to me so I can compare the two.

Dick,

A really sharp razor is amazing isn't it. Lynn sharpened one of mine and it is the measure that the rest are based upon. It is also so much easier to shave with.

Just received the TI today.

Most neato. After a couple of days with this old vintage razor I wish I had bought a heavier TI.

Randy, Can you please explain to me what is the "Hanging Hair Test" and how to perform said test? I know it's a test to determine edge sharpness, but I would like to know how it's performed so that I can test my razors. Thanks,

Jeff

Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

Can you please explain to me what is the "Hanging Hair Test" and how to perform said test?
Jeff

Hold a hair (freshly cleaned works best for me) in one hand. I hold it horizontally, much like the picture in Randy's signature. SLOWLY, bring the freshly stropped blade up through the hair at about the 1 or 2 cm mark. Sometimes a slight movement toward the tip of the blade or the heel at the same time as it moves up will produce a result (popping the hair) that a straight up motion won't. That doesn't mean that NOT moving the blade in a cutting motion is the wrong way, but that the blade could be sharper.

X

I shave today with a brand new, out of the box TI Evide Sonnant Extra 5/8. I was leery of shaving with it as my new out of the box Dovo Special 5/8 really didn't feel that great. I gave my new blade the thumbnail and hanging hair test and it passed both. So, I decided to use it. Man, what a difference a shave sharp blade makes! I took three passes with comfort and ease. Much different than the Dove out of the box which gave me the telltale sign of a dull razor...razorburn.

What a joy to shave with a "shave sharp" straight!!

Jeff

I hold the hair, root end out, approz 3/4 inch, perpendicular to the razors edge. The razor is held edge up and stationary. Bring the hair down over the razors edge. When the blade cuts the hair at 3 differnt spots on the edge, without effort, then it is ready for a test shave or move on to the 0.5 pasted paddle strop. This is the short description.

If it does not pass that test then I resume honing until such time as it does.

Hope this helps,

Originally Posted by xman

Hold a hair (freshly cleaned works best for me) in one hand. I hold it horizontally, much like the picture in Randy's signature. SLOWLY, bring the freshly stropped blade up through the hair at about the 1 or 2 cm mark. Sometimes a slight movement toward the tip of the blade or the heel at the same time as it moves up will produce a result (popping the hair) that a straight up motion won't. That doesn't mean that NOT moving the blade in a cutting motion is the wrong way, but that the blade could be sharper.

X