this is what I found:
For those who wish to know. Straight from the horses mouth (Standard Textbook of Barbering, 1950, p. 23):
Testing the Edge
2. A stropped razor should be tested by passing it gently over the moistened ball of the thumb or index finger. A stropped razor should never be tested on the nail.
ok, here's the question. I strop my razor, pass it gently over my moistened ball of thumb, and then what? What is it that I'm to be looking for as I do this?
thank you
Have a look in the wiki - here
Regards,
Neil
The way the TPT (thumbpad test) was learned by me ... was , at Randydance's suggestion, to take a new DE blade and use it to get the idea of the feel of the test. The ball of the thumb will slide along a dull edge with no resistence. If it is sharp it will grab the skin.
Hold the razor by the tang in one hand and taking the forefinger and middle finger of the other put them on the spine and genltly run the thumb pad from heel to point. You touch, lift move up and touch again ..... at least that is what I do . The idea is that you don't want to slice your thumb but the edge of a sharp blade will probably break the surface slightly ...IME.
thank you. missed that in my searchQuote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
as usual, thanks guys for your patience toward a newbie. I will try using a DE blade, but I think all I will feel is terror
The test they are referring to here is the thumb pad test (TPT).
Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki
I would not recommend doing this test after stropping as you might a) cut yourself and b) damage the edge.
What you are feeling for it the razor starting to cut into the skin, which translates as a sticky prickly feeling and that the razor "grips" your thumb slightly.
My personal preference for tests is to shave arm hair at skin level after the 1k stone and be able to shave arm hair floating 1-2mm over the skin after the 8k stone. After that its just a case of the finishing stone, paste, strop and test shave.
I've experimented with the TPT and the TNT as described on the Wiki link above, but I've found that the test I mention above works well for me.
A bit of advice I got from JimmyHAD is to get a DE blade and see how that feels on the various tests and then shoot for that feeling with your honing.
The reason I like my test is its actually a shaving test! I just took a DE blade and saw how it cut the hairs floating a couple of millimetres above my arm, and then worked on my razors until they performed the same way.
Whatever test you decide to do, good luck and please make sure you dont cut yourself!
EDIT: Hehe! Jimmy and Neil beat me to it! Man, you guys are quick..! :D