Thread: How Do You HHT?

Ok. So I know that this topic can be controversial. It is a well accepted fact that the Hanging Hair Test is personal and highly subjective and the results do not transfer to others; however, according to the Wiki here at SRP "The HHT is one of several sharpness tests frequently used by those who hone straight razors".

I realize that some can't do the HHT because they either have no hair or the hair they have is difficult or impossible to use or they just don't know how to properly perform the test. A few people do not use the HHT because their skill level is beyond using it and they have a repeatable technique that is tested and proven so many times that they rarely stop to check the progress of a razor during the honing process and only test at the end with the Shave Test. Some others use only a Shave Test and do not believe that the HHT is useful. These are all valid opinions but I would like to stay away from the question to use or not to use it as this is highly personal and I would like to hear from the ones that do use it. If you are here to start an argument please refrain.

For those who do use the HHT-how do you use it? For example, is it pass/fail only? Do you use the 1-5 scale listed in the Wiki? Or is it some other method? I don't need help doing it or advice I would just like you to share your personal experience. For example, I try to make the test as hard as possible to pass by holding the tip end of the hair and performing the test as far out as possible, maybe 2-3 inches from where I am holding the hair. I try to be as consistent as possible in regards to the angle of the hair, hair sample, and speed I come down on the blade (very slowly). That is my routine when I am checking an edge. What is yours? How do you HHT?

For me I don't have enough hair to cut. So I go to my wife's hair brush. I take one and hold it in my left hand and eye level hanging straight down. with the razor in my right hand come as straight across as I can and cut the hair. I do this to several hairs and different places on the blade. now my wife is blonde and has very fine hair so if I cut it without the hair moving out of the way then the blade is ok to try on my face. really the face is the last test. or at least that's what I'm told and so far it's worked ok.

carefully.

My hair is super fine. Very thin hair and very bendy to match.

At 2-3" your never going to get my hair to cut, It'll just move up with the blade exerting absolutely nothing on the edge and not having any weight in the hair itself.

At 1" you get into that zone where the hair may deflect or may cut. You have to make sure the hair curls a little towards the blade direction. At this range I get one of a few responses.

No cut/deflection = not sharp enough
Razor sings on the hair = almost sharp enough
Partial cut = check the cut to see if it rode in the shaft and a retest - re strop
Cut and ping = sharp - re strop
Cut and fall = ready.

Thanks for the thread, at this point i've decided that I can't regrow my whiskers nearly fast enough to keep up the the shave-testing i want to do. I'm going to begin incorporating HHT into my honing in the hopes of a better "pass rate" and less re-testing.

I'm going to request some samples from salons nearby as mine and the dogs' hairs are too short and fine and sometimes skunky.

So although i don't have a regime in place. One is being developed. Will read along and let you know what i come up with. tnx

I use the HHT to make sure that there is a workable edge at 4K, then go to 8K. If not drop to 1K and repeat. Whenever I strop I do a bit of a tree top pass on my arm hair to make sure that I have a decent edge. Beyond that, test shave and feel.

Admittedly, I had the entire concept wrong. Something I must have overlooked. I'd been doing the AHT thinking I was doing the HHT. I look forward to trying it out. I have been relying on the shave test.

The past couple rehones on razors, I didn't even do an AHT. I paid careful attention to technique and had honed these razors before on these stones and, rightfully, had an idea of what to expect, I think. Improvement.

I'm definitely not saying the HHT is irrelavent(lol. I had the idea in my head totally wrong... Shakin' my head, bud.). I'd taken a known working methodology in the circle method and paid accute attention when re-honing. hen I shave. I'm going to try the HHT in the future... Apparently, I'd just "missed" that wiki and soldiered past it a ways back.

YMMV

I Shave............

Originally Posted by Lynn

I Shave............

You WOULD!

I hone to shave not to cut hanging hairs. So I shave.

The thread is for HHT users as I read the title and OP. thanks.