Thread: The Thumb Tests

Originally Posted by Razorburne

Should you always be able to pass the HHT before doing a shave test? I have heard lots of guys on the forums saying that they can't pass the HHT, but they have great shavers. Others say they pass the HHT, but the shave is lousy - so what gives?

If I'm honing with my 4k/8k, should I do pyramids until I can pass the HHT without a doubt before moving on to shaving with it? I only ask, because I know "less is more" and want to try avoid overhoning.

Any advice?

I've also noticed with the HHT that technique in applying the hair to the blade is important too, and this changes with different types of hair. Some hair can just be placed on the blade and will slice. With some of the finer types of hair it appears the test fails unless you make sure you know which way the "grain" runs and give a little pull across the blade against this grain - maybe that's cheating, I don't know .... But consistency in the application of the HHT at all parts of the blade is important - it's not a matter of getting the hair to cut at any cost at different parts of the blade, when at other parts just a gentle waft does the trick.

So this is just a guess, but maybe some of the reason for the variability you mention in posts from other members can be attributed to differences in application of the test. On top of variability in hairs used, blade types etc. I mean.

But in any event, I tend to use the HHT as a relative test of the edge, not an absolute test of whether the blade shaves well. So I use the HHT to see which parts of the blade pass and which don't - usually middle versus ends of the blade etc. Of course, if your honing stroke is good all parts of the blade will pass, but it's good to check just in case...

So I'd say yes to your question, but just add that the HHT should pass, or at least perform the same, along all parts of the useable edge - ie you don't have to try harder at different parts to get the hair to cut.

At least then you know the edge is consistent in relative terms. What that means about the sharpness of the edge in absolute terms is a different question altogether in my opinion. For me, only the shave test answers this...

James.