Testing sharpness?

[wisconsinteacher]

Last night I took a Stinger that has been used to take a deer and sharpened it.  I use a Gatco kit.  The kit uses a clamp and hones that follow different angles.  I used a marker to make the edge black and found that 19 degrees would work best.  I used course, medium, and fine to work the blade.  At that point, it would not shave hair.  I then hit it with an AccuSharp as light as I could for 20 passes.  After that, I could shave hair.  To me that is sharp.  My question is, how do you test your heads to make sure they are hunting sharp?

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I shave hair or see if it will slice paper under its own weight.

[whitetail_downer100]

Shaving fine hair (or cutting myself trying)... only way I have ever done it.

[Bill Turner]

Same as above. Don't want it just to catch. Want it to take off a whole bunch at skin level without a lot of pressure. Works for me and has for 40 years.  

[gjarcher]

After putting the angle on the blade, I strop it on leather using jewler's rouge to be sure its not just a wire edge, which will come off before it gets through hair and hide.

If it will catch on your fingernail, it will shave hair.

[straitera]

Hair shave test always for BH's & knife. Scissors on relaxed latex glove (not pulled tight).

[Bjorn]

I make sure it is a 'real' edge and not a fragile burr, and then give it a test on a dry arm or leg. Wet hair is too easy.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I push it through some rubber bands stretched loosely on my fingers. Seems to me that simulates viens and arteries pretty well.

[Irish]

OK, I will try to describe how I do it.  I hold my thumb on my left hand upright at about a 80% angle (almost straight up).  I take the sharpened broadhead and put it on the nail with the edge parallel to the ground at a 90% angle (straight down).  A edge that will stick on the nail without sliding down the nail is sharp enough to shave hair, and not leave my arms looking funny - they already look fun enough without being bald.  After a while you will be able to feel the edge and how it bites on the nail.  Clear as mud, I know, but works for me.  Got the idea from an old bowhunter.  

[bama]

I saw on a movie one time a guy throw a silk scarf in the air and let his sword cut it as it drifted down on the blade.  That is sharp!

I'm not sure I understand the "cut paper with its own weight" test.

[Bud B.]

Fingernaiil test for me. My arm is too hairy to shave off any. Bald spots are too easily noticeable after testing that way.

[acadian archer]

on some tight rubber bands

[WVeer]

Yep use the fingernail test.

[Mudd]

When I look straight onto the edge if I feel it's about to cut my eye... it's sharp enough..lol

God bless,Mudd

[arky714]

go dry shave with blade...to scary to touch...