That's on the FLAT of the nail, not on the edge, by the way.

Tom Dacon

"Tom Dacon" wrote in message
...
Rather than dragging anything that belongs to you along the blade, turn
the blade crosswise to your thumbnail and, with the blade at about a ten
degree angle from square to your thumbnail, just drop the blade down onto
the nail gently, moving it slightly toward you. If it's truly sharp it
will catch on the nail; it it's anything less than sharp it will skid.

Tom Dacon

wrote in message
oups.com...
I watched a show on the tube where they were sharpening knives and then
using the fleshy parts of their thumbs and fingers to test for
sharpness. My Dad could somehow make anything sharp enough to shave
with, and taught me to drag the end of my fingernail lightly along the
edge, a slight resistance meaning scary sharp.