Thread: Hanging Hair Test, parlor trick or useful?

it shows that the edge is sharp.
I never use it , I prefer to shave test.

I use it always and have never had a problem. It's nice while honing to get an idea of where you are before you shave. When I test shave, I always get lather all over the stones. I often sneak up behind people to snatch a lock of their hair when they're not paying attention. Then I'm off into the crowd with my treasure and the police can't find me.

Originally Posted by ace

I use it always and have never had a problem. It's nice while honing to get an idea of where you are before you shave. When I test shave, I always get lather all over the stones. I often sneak up behind people to snatch a lock of their hair when they're not paying attention. Then I'm off into the crowd with my treasure and the police can't find me.

Hmm, you are a new type of "lock picker".

Originally Posted by ace

I use it always and have never had a problem. It's nice while honing to get an idea of where you are before you shave. When I test shave, I always get lather all over the stones. I often sneak up behind people to snatch a lock of their hair when they're not paying attention. Then I'm off into the crowd with my treasure and the police can't find me.

You better watch out, if anyone catches you stealing there hair they would probably think you're making a voodoo doll. j/k

No, I'm not. I take the Hanging Hair Test literally. If I see a hair hanging off of someone, I grab, pull on it, and if it comes loose, It's mine. Then I can test my razor.

I have actually witnessed this test being used in a parlor as a trick, and I have also found it useful myself to wrest discounts from self-proclaimed honemeisters and to argue with people who got different results using the same razor but with different hair

I could also see how the HHT could be useful in determining how consistently the edge responds from the heel all the way to the point. Personally though, I use the armhair test because it can do the same thing, can tell me more about the edge (partly because it is more reliable for me - maybe because my I know my armhairs like the back of my arm?), and is easier to use. The HHT has not proven to be a good test for me as a gauge of sharpness, smoothness, or anything else along those lines

Originally Posted by ace

No, I'm not. I take the Hanging Hair Test literally.

After I read that, I thought you were going to explain how you wind together a miniature rope from twine, form a noose, and actually hang the hair and test how long it takes to stop wiggling

My favorite, smoothest shaver hasn't ever passed the HHT since it's been in my possession and does it's best work straight off a Norton 8k. Take that for what it's worth.

Check out Obie's interview with Randy Tuttle about honing. Be sure to read down on Randy's thoughts on the HHT.

I chose both. As already been said, I've had razors that would pass it and not shave great and I've had razors that dont pass yet shave like a champ.