If you're going to cut wood, why not test across the endgrain of a nice pine
scrap? Shine = sharp.

Oh yes, cutting resistance is also a good indicator when using this process.

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.