Thread: HHT video and testing sharpness

I have a solingen, which shaves the best so far with minimal pulling and a good close shave. It passes the hht test, but not with such ease as in the aforementioned video.

I also have an aerial (a.c.m.) which was blunt when I got it, but now has an edge thanks to my norton 4/8 and my bismarck strop, but it doesn't pass the hht test. I use small pyramids (1-3, 1-5) then strop 30x on the linen and 60x on the leather without improving the edge, but can't seem to get it shave ready yet. I've been working on it for a few days now. How can I get it "there"?

I also bought a Fromm 72R brand new, which was not even close to shave sharp. I have used the same techniques honing and stropping as I did with the other two, but can't get it to shave smoothly. Any suggestions from anyone with this same razor?

I think that I was lucky with the solingen straight because that was the first razor that I ever honed successfully, but I still think that it could be a little sharper. How much stock should I put in hht? I can't really discern the different levels of sharpness with the thumbpad test, although I can feel tiny serrations when they're there. When I get the edge smooth on the nail test and thumb pad test, I don't really know what the next step is. More honing on the 8k, or strop, strop, strop?

-John

BTW, love the site. It's been very helpful.