Thread: Is this a joke?

So while looking on ebay i decided to click on one of the cheap strops just to see what it said.. included was this guide (link below) on stropping..

note it says:

"Touch the razor edge lightly and note the reaction. A dull edge produces no drawing feeling. A razor that has the proper cutting edge tends to stick to the thumb and will not slide along it."

and shows a diagram of someone pinching the blade (edge and spine).

that sounds really dangerous to me. its like if it slices your thumb open and you start bleeding profusley you have successfully stropped your razor.


eBay Store - USA favorite free shipping store: How to sharp a razor

No joke. Its called a TPT or Thumb Pad Test. Obviously you have to be careful though. I usually just touch the razor with a wetted thumb and if the skin is instantly broken its pretty sharp, shaving wise. You should read through the barbers manuals on this site n the HELP FILES.

Note it says touch lightly, not bear down! I do it to check edges all the time, no bleeding yet.

You will find this post useful: Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki

A couple of years ago, when I first described the correct way to perform the TPT for a beginner here on SRP (there was then, and may still be, some confusion about how it's supposed to be done), a former moderator PM' d me and threatened to ban me from the site if I continued to recommend such dangerous practices!

Seems a lot of the members have now learned how to do it and I haven't read of any injuries yet. In fact, I've read many posts where new members have injured and cut their faces by shaving with dull blades or sloppy technique. But nothing regarding injuries to thumbs from sharpness tests.

As with all things related to straight razor shaving you must be patient and deliberate. And, read the instructions first!


Scott

I have on occasion done something similar on my thumbnail, But never on my thumb pad. I am thinking this is not the safest thing to do.

Read the WIKI, have you ever checked the sharpness of a knife by drawing your thumb lightly across the edge? same principal.

Following Randydance's instructions I took a brand spanky new DE blade, a Feather no less, and used it to practice the TPT so that I would have something to go by. I have never even broken the skin.

When I get a new razor, ebay or otherwise, I do the TPT. If it doesn't grab I then do the TNT. Very useful tools in determining the condition of your edge while honing.

I have never used a straight razor before last night, and when I was stropping it, I used the thumb pad test to check the sharpness. It was an excellent show of sharpness, and was very accurate at telling me what parts of the blade needed more sharpening.

It is a rather hard procedure to describe, but if you carefully try what is explained, it becomes very clear what is meant when checking blade sharpness.

I would highly recommend this test for checking your blade, just don't be stupid!

Originally Posted by Katu

It is a rather hard procedure to describe, but if you carefully try what is explained, it becomes very clear what is meant when checking blade sharpness.

I would highly recommend this test for checking your blade, just don't be stupid!

I suppose that is a real motto in my book... don't be stupid! :P I believe that... but I'm too much of a fraidy-cat to try it with good results... But yes... it's supposed to be a good test!