Do you think that the Hanging hair test is a parlor trick or a useful test?
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Do you think that the Hanging hair test is a parlor trick or a useful test?
Useful to me. I get better shaves with razors that pass the HHT. I no longer shave with razors that don't pass the HHT. You will find that many members and honemeisters disagree with me.
I find very little use for it in my honing.
I've seen razor pass that test who shaves sub-par, and I've had many who didn't pass who shaved wonderfully.
Like Kees says, I'm sure other have different experiences.
I don't think it's a parlor trick but I also dob't think it's useful in determining a shave ready razor. It may have a use in honing knives though. :shrug:
I use it to check my honing progress and also after stropping to ensure the edge is not rolled and ready for the shave.
I have only honed a few razors and have had good results, but have never had one of them pass the HHT at any point.
I don't think it qualifies as a parlor trick because it's not that exciting to watch. I can't imagine a parlor full of people being thrilled by me showing how I can cut a hanging hair with my razor. I offered to put on the show for the women in the office, and they were polite but said "no thanks".
I don't think it's a parlour trick.
I do think it can be a useful test....the key work is CAN.
Many people seem to think that an HHT determines whether their blade is ready for a shave test. This is true if you, and only you, have honed the blade and calibrated the HHT to your hair.
It is useless if I hone your blade, and send it home to you, and you email me and say "I tried the HHT test, and it didn't work". There is no data between my honing and your hair.
There is data between my hair and my honing. When I started honing, I used the HHT with my wife's hair, which is very thin. If the razor would pass it, I would shave test. If it wouldn't, then I didn't shave test. I calibrated the HHT by shave testing razors that did not pass her HHT, and low and behold they pulled like crazy on my face. I used it as a means of avoiding injury on my own face.
After a while, there are many other indicators on the stones that will tell you you're just about "there". You can feel the rough spots every time you move to a new stone, you can watch the water, you can feel the razor all of a sudden go from hydroplaning to being "sucked" into the stone. These watch points help me more than any HHT ever did.
Hope you didn't mind my two cents worth..... :)
I like your points. I am pro-HHT and of course to me the final test is how the razor shaved. The HHT gives me assurance that the edge is not rolled and I also use it as MY indicator as to whether I should or should not shave with the razor after honing and stropping. Your point about the razor going from hydroplaning to being sucked into the stone is a good one; that too is a good indicator along with the HHT and shave test.
I upped your two cents worth! :)
I voted 'both answers' because the truth is I don't know. Like Birnando said, I've seen razors pass that shaved sub-par, and I've had many that didn't pass and shaved well. I like it when they pass but I'll give them a try if they don't and more often than not the ones that don't pass are at least decent if not good shavers. OTOH, those that do pass are usually real good. The texture of the hair, holding it with the root out (away from the fingers) whether it is clean ...... there is a learning curve , it seems , to this too.
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.
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
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.
Yeah I was curious because I think it's both as well. As Hoglahoo said he actually seen it as a trick in a parlor which I read that people have done that. I agree it can be a useful tool if you use the same exact hair from the same person, but then again I also read and I agree with this too is that small serrations in a blade actually pass the hanging hair test easier that a smooth shaver. So I guess it's all what you're used to but I still think its both a trick but can be a useful tool with the right circumstances. Keep voting guys!
I think it can be useful, for me a razor that passes a HHT always shaves (some better than others), but it's not the case the other way around (some still can shave, for me, but some can't, even though they're sharpish).
I use three different people's hair that have different HHT characteristics. Using their hair, I can test every section of the blade, which is something I can't test as well with the shave test. (Besides, I can't shave multiple times every day!) When applying the HHT, I watch the vibration, and the way the hair is cut. For vibration, there is a wide range of vibration behaviors. The same for cutting, as the importance of the cutting part is how the hair is cut. Just the fact that the hair is cut is unimportant.
For me, the HHT is like a scientific instrument. It is no more a parlor trick than a geiger counter is for those hunting radiation. But, it took a ton of work, continual use of the HHT to understand and use the test.
But, maybe I should have checked BOTH above when answering the poll. Because, if someone hasn't done the work to learn the test, then for them it might be a parlor trick.
yep almost once per year :)
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-talk-hht.html
For me, I use the HHT after honing and stropping to determine if I am going to shave with it. That's how I do it in my home.
I haven't been honing for long but, I find it a useful tool:
- to monitor the sharpness. I think the edge gets sharper when you move from the hair just making a sound to catching and popping
- to see I have the same level of sharpness from heel to toe
Maybe with more experience I'll learn to go more by feel. At this stage I find it helps me get consistent results.
I don't think though that only because it passes the HHT it means it's going to be a smooth shaver.
I get more information by feel of the blade, I wash my hands to wash away any dead skin. Makes my fingers more sensitive, if the edge grabs my finger with a light touch I get a certain feel that has always ran more true than any test.
There's good information on the HHT in the Wiki:
Hanging Hair Test, from trick to probing method - Straight Razor Place Wiki
I use it a lot. One reason is because my hair is suitable for this test. I only use it following the 8000 grit stone. Then it tells me if the razor is ready for a shave test. I use it in conjuction with the TPT.
I didn't vote because I don't really know. I think the usefulness depends on the razor, the stone progression and the hair. My razors pop armhair midair after setting a bevel on my Chosera 1k, once I hit my naturals my razors will no longer do that (as well) despite the keener edge.
I've noticed this at times but find after stropping keeness is restored. I believe slurry may have some influence but on the finest naturals it is not bad enough to greatly reduce keeness.
As for HHT. I find a razor that gives a stellar shave test will subsequently pass some form of HHT. I rarely find the reverse guarantees a stellar shave test but it shouldn't be far off..
My guess is that randydance062449 is the Randy that Obie interviewed on honing (are you? :-)). Excellent article that reminded me I know nothing. However, I noted, as in the reply above, Randy says that his hair suits the test. My hair is very soft (at least that's what hairdressers tell me), and my wife and kid get just a little annoyed when I constantly pluck hairs from their head, so I don't use it. On a slightly related issue I did note Randy's comment in the interview about not stropping after honing; but allowing the edge to 'rest'. I'm unsure what that really means, though.
Speaking of HHT you really should look at the HHT vids in this link from another thread
http://straightrazorpalace.com/aucti...-dark-art.html
I really can be just plain bad sometimes
:p
My razors perform better than the ones in the Lost Dark Art vids. I am afraid that honer is still in the Dark himself. A clean cut is what you want, he damages the hairs only with his razor before pulling them apart :(
I didn't mention the HHT much here although I use it all the time. However, now that it has been revealed as a "Lost Dark Art", I think it is time for me to come out of the closet, so to speak, and publicly claim my ancestry and providence and prepare myself for my destiny. Beware! Ye hairs have no chance!
I want to vote:
Neither. It's just a waste of time.
the only test that matters is
the shave test.