Thread: HHT on DMT 1200?

After dulling the razor on a glass, I can hone it on the DMT 1200 to the point that it can shave arm hairs fairly well, but no matter what I try, I just can't seem to get the hanging hair test to work. On at least two of Bart's articles in the wiki, he says that coming off the 1200, the razor should be able to perform the HHT by dragging the wetted hair slightly across the edge. He even goes on to say that a perfect bevel will be capable of the HHT without dragging.

My first question is how does one go about achieving such a perfect bevel? I'm basically just using the weight of the razor on my strokes now. Is it possible to have a stroke that's even lighter than the weight of the razor?

Second, is the HHT off the 1200 something that only a handful of elite honers like Bart can achieve, or is it something that most honers can achieve after a little more experience?

I know that some will be quick to mention that the HHT isn't an obligatory prerequisite to achieving a useful edge, but I'm asking these questions more for learning and curiosity. Oh, and Bart is my hero. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.

But seriously though, the razor he sent me is so incredibly smooth, sharp, and durable, that I think any amount of time and effort spent in trying to recreate it will be a worthwhile investment.

HHT doesn't work for everyone. It depends on your hair .... IME with my hair.... and other variables. I get it sometimes after finishing and stropping and other times I do not. Since it seems to have little or no relationship ,IME, to the quality of my shave I don't find it a very important part of the process. YMMV. BTW, Bart is one of my heroes too.

The hair should be dry. DMT creates a real choppy edge and can grab and cut the hair.

If you can shave arm hair that all you need. When you have finished honing and finaly stropping linen /leather then try hanging hair test. i like my razors to pass at that point.

Your DMt needs to be broken in before it's smooth enough to get the HHT going good.

I always stay on the DMT until it HHT

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Your DMt needs to be broken in before it's smooth enough to get the HHT going good.

Is there any way to speed up this process?

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Your DMt needs to be broken in before it's smooth enough to get the HHT going good.

I always stay on the DMT until it HHT

Yes, I've heard many people mention the break-in period, but I'm sort of curious as to how long this actually takes. Are we talking a few hundred strokes or a few thousand strokes?

You know it is about time somebody changes that in the Wiki...

I know you have read this over and over, but really it has nothing to do with the edge, it has to do with the test...
You could scrape that razor to toothpick size and NEVER get a HHT to pop...

Bart actually tries to explain that you have to develop the test, but everyone tries the same thing...

Trust me it is the test, I can pop HHT all day long with my hair on just about any 1k stone, but my wifes hair will not pop HHT until everything is perfect after the final stropping...

Develop the test...
and try 1 drop of dish soap on top of your DMT

Originally Posted by doleeo

Is there any way to speed up this process?

You can just rub a hunk of metal on it. I used a hollow steel cylinder on my 1200, rubbed it back an forth a hundred or so times. Used it to sharpen up all my kitchen knives too, if I remember right.

That's so true, Glen