Thread: HHT failures

There must be something about the hanging hair test that I'm not doing right, even though I've read about how i'ts supposed to be done and I've watched demonstration videos, because I have several str8s that were professionally honed, and though they shave just fine, none of them, even when brand new and fresh from the honemeisters, were able to pass the HHT.

I would like to know how to correctly do the HHT so that when attempting my own honing I'll be able to judge my progress.

I would really appreciate any help anyone might be able to provide.

Your not the first to say that they can't pass the HHT. No worries, though. Really, How does the razor shave? I know that may not be the answer you would like, but that's the true test my friend. I have had some razors pass and some not. Judge your razors by the shave they give you....Lest not ye be judged....

The HHT remains one of the great mysteries here. The venerable Bart has written a short essay which might provide a bit more insight than the videos: Hanging Hair Test, from trick to probing method - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

I have seen him use this test, and it works. Why quite a number of knowledgeable members get by with razors which do not pass the HHT remains, well, a mystery to me.

The HHT has to be developed there really is no fool proof method, read Bart's thread and understand this, what he does might not work for you, but read between the lines, and develop something that does...

My personal HHT is something that works 99% of the time it's really simple I let the wife brush her hair with a special purple hair brush in the shave den , that's her brush, and it is my HHT brush.... If I can slice and dice those baby fine hairs I know the razor is ready for the shave test...

There are even some people on here that the Arm Hair Test won't work for, this is what I mean, everybody has to develop their own working tests...

I read Bart's essay, That's pretty amazing. He's my go to guy for all things "Coti" I often wondered how much the individual's hair comes into play in the test...

Originally Posted by zib

I read Bart's essay, That's pretty amazing. He's my go to guy for all things "Coti" I often wondered how much the individual's hair comes into play in the test...

Quite a bit, in fact I can pop my hair at 1k with ease... It means absolutely nothing to HHT with my hair...

This is why so many people call it a parlor trick, it has to be developed to mean anything, and it only works for that person and that hair..

I think your absolutely right Glen.....

Bart carries a box with very thin hair from one person. Makes sense.

+1 to all the above.

Forget the HHT! Don't even try it, it's pointless.

TNT, TPT, Marker test, and shaving are the way to go.

*EDIT* Personally, I think the HHT should be removed from the Wiki, or at least a note placed next to it stating it is NOT a reliable method of testing a razor. Too many new people are getting hung up on it, as evidenced by the number of "can't pass HHT" posts I've seen.

Come on mods, let's clear up some of the confusion

Originally Posted by avatar1999

*EDIT* Personally, I think the HHT should be removed from the Wiki, or at least a note placed next to it stating it is NOT a reliable method of testing a razor. Too many new people are getting hung up on it, as evidenced by the number of "can't pass HHT" posts I've seen.

Come on mods, let's clear up some of the confusion

Personally, I think you should read the text you are talking about before forming an opinion.

Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki
There is probably no other test that is as widely discussed on the forums as HHT and for good reason.

As far as your personal confusion is concerned, see above.