Question about HHT

Hello everyone, I have recently began straight shaving. I have two razors: An inexpensive Solingen Nippes and few days ago I received Dovo Renaissance razor, which gives me pretty good shave. On Youtube I saw some guys doing hanging hair tests and hairs were cut very nicely. Question is: should the razor pass HHT with any hair? My head is shaven bald so I can't do it with my hair. I have tried it with my girlfriend's hair but I simply can't get my razors pass that test. I have to say, though, that her hair is coloured and feels quite flexible and slick. Could this be the reason? I have honed both razors with Norton 4000/8000 stone according to Lynn's istructions and stropped them properly.

There is a good reason why this article is in the honing category of the Wiki: Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Please be advised that the only test for shave ready razors is the shave test. All other tests on this page are meant for testing the sharpness of a razor's edge during the honing process. To repeat, none of these tests are meant to tell you whether your (new) razor is shave ready except the shave test.

+1 on that. The hanging hair test can be a good indicator of the razoring being sharp, however it wont tell you if the blade will give you a comfortable shave. Despite knowing this, I still use the HHT to give me an idea of whats going on. I try and use hair which is close to the consistancy of my beard. In my case it's a chest or leg hair. If the blade passes the HHT, you still might want to try shaving a bit of arm hair to see if the razor pulls at all.

All that being said, the only way to know if you will get a comfortable shave, is to shave your face with it.

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Originally Posted by sami

Hello everyone, I have recently began straight shaving. I have two razors: An inexpensive Solingen Nippes and few days ago I received Dovo Renaissance razor, which gives me pretty good shave. On Youtube I saw some guys doing hanging hair tests and hairs were cut very nicely. Question is: should the razor pass HHT with any hair? My head is shaven bald so I can't do it with my hair. I have tried it with my girlfriend's hair but I simply can't get my razors pass that test. I have to say, though, that her hair is coloured and feels quite flexible and slick. Could this be the reason? I have honed both razors with Norton 4000/8000 stone according to Lynn's istructions and stropped them properly.

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+1 on the reply from BeBerlin

Oil on the blade or conditioner used by your girlfriend can give
you a negative HHT. Also the direction that the hair grows
is important. I must admit to using "girlfriends" hair for HHTing
when I find a razor/hair that tests well it will test well all along the
blade if I have honed it well. Sometimes I try five or more hairs
to get one that pops -- yep something involving conditioner, color who
knows what makes a difference.

Welcome to SRP. Sometimes mine will pass and sometimes they will not with my hair. The important thing is that in either case they shave well. That is where the rubber meets the road, figuratively speaking.

Thank you all for answers. I just had third shave with my Dovo Renaissance and it was really good, so I guess that shave test really is the best test. It seems that the razor is now starting to "break in" after few shaves and several stropping sessions. I got couple of small nicks to my face but i'm sure my shaving technique can be improved.

+1 to what everyone has said, sometimes it passes sometimes it doesnt, and if a razor is overhoned it will pass the hht test , so shaving is number 1 for sure, but i always check my razors also with shaving some arm hairs, if it cuts through with ease and, will even pop them off ,with out you putting very little pressure, your in good shape. Dwonside i have bald patches of arm hair.:(

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Originally Posted by sami

Thank you all for answers. I just had third shave with my Dovo Renaissance and it was really good, so I guess that shave test really is the best test. It seems that the razor is now starting to "break in" after few shaves and several stropping sessions. I got couple of small nicks to my face but i'm sure my shaving technique can be improved.

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It isn't uncommon for people to attribute things like the quality of the shave to their razor... I would humbly submit that maybe it's you that's starting to break in :D...

Congrats and all the best!

Dave

Nothing polarizes opinion around here quite like 'ye olde Hanging Hair Test':D

+1 on all previous advice.

My advice would be not to get too hung up on the HHT. Getting reasonable shaves is what its all about and you seem to be getting them. Enjoy.
In time you will develop your own methods to assess the edge of a razor whether that be HHT or otherwise.

Mykel

Sometimes I think stropping can smooth the razor so much that the edge no longer catches certain hairs. So the razor might be sharp, just too smooth.

If I remember correctly the HHT is a sharpness test and not (like the TPT) a pre-shave worthiness test.

I have noticed that the HHT seems to test different off my latigo strop vs my shell strop too. It may just be in my head though

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Sometimes I think stropping can smooth the razor so much that the edge no longer catches certain hairs. So the razor might be sharp, just too smooth.

If I remember correctly the HHT is a sharpness test and not (like the TPT) a pre-shave worthiness test.

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Just remember....using a straight razor is a parlor trick :)

I think the oil on hair plays a part too, mine is quite oily, but if I pull some after I have just washed my hair, and try the HHT when they are dry, my razors pass every time. If I try it that same evening? No go.

I have found the "trimming the tree tops" test on arm hair to be a better indicator for me. Plus I don't have bald patches all over my arms. :)