Thread: "Shave Ready" ... Yeah, Right.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Don't rely exclusively on the HHT. It's a tool, not a final verdict.

Agreed: the razor passing the HHT will not mean that it necessarily shaves well.

However, the razor not passing the HHT must mean that there is something not 100% right with it. Or if it doesnt like you and others suggest, then I fail to see the point of the test?

When you say over the Pond I am assuming you are in England or the EU if so before you start paying those crazy charges I would suggest contacting Poona and/or Bart they are both more than capable of sorting out your shave ready problems with out the added cost of sending the razor to the US...

If I am assuming wrong then there are plenty of us over here that can sort out the edges....

Check the classifieds for member services...

+1 on what Lee said I don't know of one person that is a reputable honemiester on SRP that will not stand behind their work.... Our reputations are worth way to much to us...

Originally Posted by Cornelius

Agreed: the razor passing the HHT will not mean that it necessarily shaves well.

However, the razor not passing the HHT must mean that there is something not 100% right with it. Or if it doesnt like you and others suggest, then I fail to see the point of the test?

The HHT is a parlor trick, the only test that truly matters is the shave test. Nothing else matters if you get a good shave! The HHT is simply something you can use to impress others!

Here is what Lynn Abrams said in a past post;

" The only test I rely on to determine whether a razor is shave ready is to SHAVE with the razor. It generally will let you know if not honed enough or honed to much and alot of times to what degree on each. If the razor tugs a little or a lot, take it back to the hone and DO NOT continue to shave with it. If it glides over the beard with no hair removal, it needs a trip back to the hone. After a while you will really develop a feel for this."

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here is what Lynn Abrams said in a past post;

" The only test I rely on to determine whether a razor is shave ready is to SHAVE with the razor. It generally will let you know if not honed enough or honed to much and alot of times to what degree on each. If the razor tugs a little or a lot, take it back to the hone and DO NOT continue to shave with it. If it glides over the beard with no hair removal, it needs a trip back to the hone. After a while you will really develop a feel for this."

Couldn't have said it better myself!



Thanks Jimmy!!

Happy Holidays all

Originally Posted by Lynn

Couldn't have said it better myself!



Thanks Jimmy!!

Happy Holidays all

The problem for most guys is that what you call "after a while" is 2 or 3 hundred razors.

HHT is a fickle thing.

Many razors that are properly finished on a very fine natural stone will NOT pass the HHT, even when it is truly shaveready. The reason is that the edge becomes smoother, rather than sharper.

A razor honed on a 325 grit DMT plate will pass he HHT with ease. Ditto for higher grits with synthetic stones. Synth stone had sharp cutting grit -> them make scratch lines and a toothy edge -> teeth grab hair -> hair rips.

Whereas with smooth edge from natural finisher -> no teeth -> smooth edge -> hair doesn't grip -> bounce
The only real test is the shave test. The HHT is a trick, and other tests require some experience in order to judge the results.

Originally Posted by Bruno

HHT is a fickle thing.

Many razors that are properly finished on a very fine natural stone will NOT pass the HHT, even when it is truly shaveready. The reason is that the edge becomes smoother, rather than sharper.

A razor honed on a 325 grit DMT plate will pass he HHT with ease. Ditto for higher grits with synthetic stones. Synth stone had sharp cutting grit -> them make scratch lines and a toothy edge -> teeth grab hair -> hair rips.

Whereas with smooth edge from natural finisher -> no teeth -> smooth edge -> hair doesn't grip -> bounce
The only real test is the shave test. The HHT is a trick, and other tests require some experience in order to judge the results.

Ok... so what you guys are saying is that a razor may well be shave ready but not cut a hair, or vice versa. Hmmm... I guess I'll try one, then. Worst case scenario is I cut my cheek off. There's a hospital nearby, so what the hell

Can you explain in what order, on what stones to hone a razor? I've read so many contradicting posts, I'm confused.

What stones are you working with?

Originally Posted by Cornelius

Ok... so what you guys are saying is that a razor may well be shave ready but not cut a hair, or vice versa. Hmmm... I guess I'll try one, then.

Wonderful! Let us know how it goes