Thread: don't strop new razor?

Originally Posted by EvilDylan

I'll say that I just received a DOVO carbon straight I did not get any honing service, however I wanted to test the sharpness of the blade before I did any sort of maintenance on it. I tested it on the ball of my thumb and it seemed very sharp. I then tried the HHT and lo and behold it passed the HHT. I then decided to shave without any sort of stropping or honing. Best shave I've gotten to date.

I just got my pre-honed Dovo from www.vintagebladesllc.com and it doesn't pass the HHT as far as I can tell. I'm not sure if it's the hair I was using or what....

Originally Posted by kasperitis

I just got my pre-honed Dovo from www.vintagebladesllc.com and it doesn't pass the HHT as far as I can tell. I'm not sure if it's the hair I was using or what....

Sooner or later you will come to understand how the HHT is more of a parlor trick thing a serious test. After I get done with my final polish and strop, rarely will a razor pass the HHT. Frannkly, I'm little worried if it does. It means there is enough serration to grab the hair to cut it. It's the SHAVE!!! that is the final test.

Gotcha. That actually makes me more confident in my blade. I know it was honed, so I'm OK with that. As soon as my brush arrives, I'll have my first shave and we'll find out how sharp it really is!

...I was also hoping to show my girlfriend and brother, but it didn't work and I looked kinda silly...

Kasperitus,
My pre-honed Dovo passed the HHT with my wife's hair, but not mine. It shaved ok, but nothing special. I got a Lynn-honed Wapi, and it didn't pass the HHT with either my wife's hair or mine, but shaves beautifully. So I guess my unscientific experiments confirm Kenrup's observation.

Best,
Bill