Thread: HHT at 1k???

A low grit HHT on a razor means nothing, in fact most of the time it is easier as the rougher edge catches the hair...

The HHT has to be developed into a useful test just like every other test for sharpness, up to and including even the shave test...

Think about that for a second you even have to develop the shave test

Without doing the developmental work the HHT is just what everyone calls it, a "Parlor Trick"

I stay on the DMT 1200 until it passes the HHT. That's how I know the bevel has truly been set.

So then this test can be done at 1k? Had I known before I think I would be getting better shaves today. O well I guess something new to achieve in the whole SR world. So how does this work? do you tape the spine or what up? wouldn't spine wear be an issue? Any cool info very appreciated.

Originally Posted by Memorael

So then this test can be done at 1k? Had I known before I think I would be getting better shaves today. O well I guess something new to achieve in the whole SR world. So how does this work? do you tape the spine or what up? wouldn't spine wear be an issue? Any cool info very appreciated.

Here's 2 links articles in the Wiki that shold give you all the information you want to know

Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Hanging Hair Test, from trick to probing method - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I stay on the DMT 1200 until it passes the HHT. That's how I know the bevel has truly been set.

Hmmmmm I agree but not in full, You would have to do an HHT every 1/4 inch to be sure of that,,, So although yes I agree it can be used, I don't agree that is very effective....
And the other thought that just came to mind is that a Overhoned/Ragged edge can also give a false positive on the HHT especially at the low grits...

I am not pro or con HHT. Personally I don't attempt it until I'm done honing and stropping and ready to shave .... if I attempt it at all. I have very fine hair and it is difficult for me to see it when I hold a single strand. I have to move it in the light to a place where I can see it.

Lynn and I were talking about HHT once and he pointed out that if the razor has oil or if the hair does it will make a difference in the results. A freshly washed strand for best results. I pull an old oily stray out of my hairbrush and if it passes I'm happy but if it doesn't no matter. Then I do the real test of where the rubber meets the road and 97 times out of 100 it passes the shave test.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hmmmmm I agree but not in full, You would have to do an HHT every 1/4 inch to be sure of that,,, So although yes I agree it can be used, I don't agree that is very effective....
And the other thought that just came to mind is that a Overhoned/Ragged edge can also give a false positive on the HHT especially at the low grits...

This is why I don't bother with HHT on low grits anymore. Many of you may know that I didn't worry much about HHT in general for a while because it's unreliable (giving false positives as Glen mentioned). However, I recently adopted Bart's HHT scale, and I find it very useful on evaluating a finished edge. I still don't use it anymore on low grits. I utilize a combination of TNT, TPT, and arm hair shaving to determine when the bevel has been set.

I stick with the palm pad test at that (and higher) grit
levels, because I can do it easily across the entire blade,
testing every 1/8 - 1/4" or so. At higher grits, I like the
arm hair test (floating/hanging) for the same reason. I
usually like to be popping hairs at the 4-6k grit level,
depending on the hone. Repeatability and consistency
are desirable characteristics in any sharpness test.

YMMV

- Scott

Sham told me that armhair should pop off at the 4k level and literally fall straight down at the 8k level. This is good advice for anyone.