Thread: How to tell if a straight razor is sharp

OK, second propper shave. Much better but still a few problems. I'm going to start another thread because it's more on technique than sharpness.

Originally Posted by Havachat45

All my razors passed the HHT until SWMBO got her hair coloured (I used hers for the HHT - very fine and red) - this completely messed it up for me - now none pass.
Small changes mean a lot in this game.

That post right there is one of the best posts about the HHT I have read...


I sorta went through the same thing when I first used the HHT I was popping hairs like a bandit, I thought Phhht my blades are freaky sharp, I am a honing God,, Then I tried one of the wife's hairs by accident and learned that the HHT really has to be calibrated or it is Absolutely useless...

OK, just tried mine, the girlfriend's and our Son's. Mine "passed" theirs didn't.

Now strop the razor and try all three again

Done, still the same. Mine was the only one that passed.

Sorry, but I just had this mental image of you running around the house like a ninja on amphetamines pouncing on your family members & stealing their hair.

In other news, it goes to show how subjective the test can be & while useful at certain stages, total reliance shouldn't be placed in it alone as an indicator of shave readiness.


Edit: I mean it, black pajamas, mask, slippers, possibly even an extra large w&b slung over your shoulder.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That post right there is one of the best posts about the HHT I have read...


I sorta went through the same thing when I first used the HHT I was popping hairs like a bandit, I thought Phhht my blades are freaky sharp, I am a honing God,, Then I tried one of the wife's hairs by accident and learned that the HHT really has to be calibrated or it is Absolutely useless...

Very true...but if you use it as a component and not the end-all-be-all for judging if you are getting there, it has some value. The same is true in the world of knives...there are endless ways to "judge" sharpness, but they are all weak analogs for what is really important (how the tool works for the intended job)...all too often guys want pocket knives that do nothing other than look neat and whittle hair...that is fine, but a honking big (or tiny) burr on an edge will whittle hair like crazy

Originally Posted by fossala

Done, still the same. Mine was the only one that passed.

That is some more data. Interpretation is always the tricky part

[QUOTE=unit;1017752]Very true...but if you use it as a component and not the end-all-be-all for judging if you are getting there, it has some value. The same is true in the world of knives...there are endless ways to "judge" sharpness, but they are all weak analogs for what is really important (how the tool works for the intended job)...all too often guys want pocket knives that do nothing other than look neat and whittle hair...that is fine, but a honking big (or tiny) burr on an edge will whittle hair like crazyQUOTE]

The HHT and this thread is just one of 100's but it is a very good read and might help you understand the term Calibrated
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-talk-hht.html


There is another article in the Wiki that takes the term even farther, that some subscribe to...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The HHT and this thread is just one of 100's but it is a very good read and might help you understand the term Calibrated
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-talk-hht.html


There is another article in the Wiki that takes the term even farther, that some subscribe to...

I understand "calibrated" quite well, I used to work as a computer modeler

As you point out in that thread, hair is HIGHLY variable, and my HHT-5 might be your HHT-2 depending on what hair we use as a standard. I prefer to use the artistic side of my brain rather than the quantitative when it come to gauging a blade being honed. HOW does it react to the hair? Granted, some hairs will make any edge look sharp (I have whittled hair with a knife blade directly off 220 grit). Once you get a bit of hair that works for your needs it will offer feedback that is quite useful (to me at least...since the purpose of a razor is to cut hair).


That said, I do not lose sight of the fact that a bit of hair that works well today, might behave differently next time due to a myriad of variables that can affect this "test" media. I would suggest this is among the reasons that many are skeptical of such a test...but kept in the proper perspective, I believe it has value (use it to guide efforts at he hones, assess uniformity of the apex, and do not extend this analog beyond the duration of the honing session or to other users)...I hope this makes sense...

Originally Posted by unit

I hope this makes sense...

I do believe that is exactly what that thread I linked points out...

The difference in our opinion is the context of this thread,, If you read the thread you will see the part about Newbs and HHT ie: it is Absolutley Useless.. Which is what this thread is about..

Farther into the thread it will show how an HHT can be Calibrated and used in honing as you put it, a Componet of finding sharp..

So in this thread talking to a Newb that just got his very first razor, the HHT is useless, in fact harmful info (proved by his own results 1 pass 2 fail), if however we were discussing honing, in a much more advanced situation then your opinion and my opinion match exactly..

Context creates the difference