Thread: Hanging hair test a step too far?

That could be overhoned. Backhone on 8k a few strokes and test. If it feels better than it was overhoned. Thats Alan's simple overhoning test. Follow that with passes on 8k until shaving again like a hot knife through butter (which will occur after stropping) so experiment a little.

I've just got my razor back from Lynn and I cannot make it pass any of the tests however I have BBS cheeks and chin?

Beginning to think the HHT is pointless? If my Lynn honed razor cannot do it then why bother when the shave is fine?

Well, there's a lot of variables that make up the tests. I've always maintained the biggest variability is between people, not within people. So if you can find one that works for you use it.

I think you need some sort of test or tests when you hone and strop - I get a lot of mileage from the "mm or two above the arm hair" test. Mainly because I'm too lazy to crawl around on the bathroom floor looking for a bit of my wife's hair. But I wouldn't say that the HHT is pointless in general.

Have you tried the HHT by holding the hair by the tip (not the root) so that the barbs catch on the edge when you pull it toward you slighty?

James.

This is the only way HHT works in any way for me. Even with a Feather DE blade it won't cut my hair if I hold it by the root. The hair just bends and slides over until it is free!
I guess I might have to abandon the use of this test completely as it doesn't seem to give any good sign as to how sharp my razor is. The hair only pops off in one way, under very specific circumstance.
The arm hair doesn't work for me either as it also is too fine, leg hairs are no problem, though i have not been able to distinguish any difference in the cutting ability of a sharp vs shave ready razor(if it cuts the hair it does so in only one fashion)
I am tempted to try to force myself to overhone an old razor, however then i am stuck with the situation of recognising when it becomes overhoned.
Maybe i should just get my razors hone properly when I get the chance so i can feel the perfect edge?
Until then I think i will try learning to hone from scratch using the TPT as a sharpness reference, i still have an Ebay special waiting for treatment.
Nick

I can never get the HHT to work for me. The hair on my arms is also very fine, and I don't have alot of hair left on my head. My legs don't have alot of hair ether, wearing boots in the Army. My wife isn't going to let me keep pulling her hair out ether, So shave test works for me.
Phil

Unfortunately when people start out and they have no real idea what they're doing they look for some benchmark that they can hang onto that will magically tell them when they reach that ideal point. The problem is these tests are only there to help the person starting out like the pyramid in honing and people can get so fixated on the tests that they lose sight of the fact that its the shave that really matters. You really need to develop a feel for the razor and the way it behaves and if you depend on these tests too much it just becomes a crutch and you never develop that feel.

I wouldn't worry a dang about the tests. Just hone until it feels right then test shave then continue to hone if necessary. Its tough at first buts its like trying to learn to ride a bike with training wheels on it. You just never will. So take the training wheels off and just hone and experiment. Start with a junk razor just to get that feel then gravitate to an OK razor before go to a really good one.

I know alot of guys will disagree with me but that's the way I see it gents.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

people can get so fixated on the tests that they lose sight of the fact that its the shave that really matters.

I can vouch for this statement. I noticed it happening to me. I was trying every test under the sun and completely lost sight of the shave both as a true test and as the reason for the razor in the first place. As a result, I got very frustrated and confused.

Let the shave be your guide. Like Lynn says in his video: your face will tell you what needs to be done.

Originally Posted by floridaboy

I can never get the HHT to work for me. The hair on my arms is also very fine, and I don't have alot of hair left on my head. My legs don't have alot of hair ether, wearing boots in the Army. My wife isn't going to let me keep pulling her hair out ether, So shave test works for me.
Phil

I hate to break it to you Phil, but it is time to start a family :-) Kids are an endless supply of fine hair that will definitely challenge a well honed edge.

Bill

Originally Posted by nickyspaghetti

I am wondering, if I hone all my razors so that they can perform a HHT, could I in fact be overhoning them, as my hair is too fine to be HHTed with a properly honed razor?

Yes, it certainly is possible.

Originally Posted by nickyspaghetti

Any ideas?
I have not fully got the TPT down yet ...

Work on developing that one and ...
Pay more attention to the feel and sound of the razor on the hone as you are honing. You can actually hear the fins forming on the 8k and even feel the edge changing if you are attentive enough.

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