Thread: Simple Question: Can a Norton 4K/8K produce a blade capable of passing the HHT?

I know my shavette with a feather can easily pass the test

The short answer is yes it can. Early on in the piece, around when I first joined SRP, the Norton 4/8 was "the" stone, and a lot of us happily shaved off it, HHT or no.

The longer answer is what everyone else has said about your hair type and so on.

To get the most out of your Norton, check out the JaNorton thread from a while back. There's lots of good info in there (and also around the forum).

James.

Not with my hair
But a fresh DE blade won't do it either.
After a proper stropping it can from 8k up, and the quality of the HHT goes up with a 12k, paste etc. as well.
It is a good tool but only if you are working with known variables.

I used to use my wife's hair until she started putting highlights in it, the processing of the lighter colors changed the game.

I have the norton combos and SWAMBO's hair is just right to do the HHT. Shaving off my 8K edge does me at the moment and I do have a couple honed by senior members to compare against. At the end of the day HHT, TPT etc is an indication, if you shave with the 8K edge and it feels OK then you are hitting the hones fine.

Originally Posted by JohnGalt131

I know my shavette with a feather can easily pass the test

Then you should with proper technique get an HHT off of your SR...

You really want to be careful here though, chasing edges for a goal such as the HHT or a Mirror bevel doesn't always lead to a smooth shave
A Close Comfortable Shave should be the goal, not some stupid arbitrary parlor trick that gives zero indication of how the razor shaves...

Like Jimbo pointed out the JaNorton thread is your friend or in today speak BFF as it will give you tons of tricks to get the most out of the Norton 4/8 check out the Stroptober thread also,,,, remember stropping is a huge part of this game too...

Enjoy the journey

Originally Posted by gssixgun

some stupid arbitrary parlor trick that gives zero indication of how the razor shaves...

This is the best definition of the HHT I have ever encountered!

I shaved off an 8K for years. The HHT test is useless in my opinion. My hair will not pass the HHT on any razor I have handled and that includes some done by well know honers. I will not even pass on a new DE or SE blade. Maybe a guy could make a living selling his hair which could become the gold standard for the HHT test and will allow direct comparisons among all shavers

Originally Posted by CrownCork

I will not even pass on a new DE or SE blade.

Wow! That is some amazing hair. I would love to have a sample of that hair. I have heard mystical rumors about hair that not even a feather blade can cut but have never seen this. Can you tree top your arm hair with a new razor blade?

This is a quote from SRP's WIKI. "The HHT is one of several sharpness tests frequently used by those who hone straight razors. In order to gain the benefits of using the HHT, one must understand what the HHT can and cannot do."

It can cut hair
It cannot cut your hair. Lol.

As simply stated by Utopian, “You are chasing the wrong thing”. A test is just a test. It may or may not have meaning for you. The goal is not to cut hand held or arm hair, but to shave… your face.

Many a race car performs superbly on the Dyno, but fails miserably on the track. Why?

The Dyno only gives you a result of one factor, as may do a hair test and that one section of the edge that did or did not cut hair.

It also says nothing of the main factor… the driver.

Can one hone an edge with a 4/8K Norton and achieve a very shaveable edge? Yes, absolutely… very well.

Cut your hair? Maybe…

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Many a race car performs superbly on the Dyno, but fails miserably on the track. Why?

The Dyno only gives you a result of one factor, as may do a hair test and that one section of the edge that did or did not cut hair.

It also says nothing of the main factor… the driver.

Good analogy!