Thread: Thoughts on HHT...

HHT 5 like that isn’t that difficult depending on the hair of course, but everything has to be right. The bevel has to be perfectly set and developed to finish, your technique, the finisher, and the razor all need to be good. If any one of these get off a little, it’s difficult if not impossible. For example, if you have everything perfect but the razor is not so great, you might get HHT 5 with a better-than-good stone. That’s why a Gold Dollar is in my stone testing routine. If I can get Alfredo’s HHT 5 on a Gold Dollar, that usually means that the stone is going to be very good. If more than one of those traits is off, you probably won’t get HHT 5 like that.

As usual BobH made the comment I would have made. Personally, I gave up on all edge tests except shaving a few years ago. I use the same test for my SRs that I use for DE blades: when I can't get a good comfortable shave I work on my SR edge or change my DE blade.

This thread made me wonder what our grandfathers or great grandfathers who shaved with SRs every day would think of it. They probably had one or two razors, probably a Barber's Hone and a strop. Do you think they discussed stria or other esoterica that we do? And they shaved almost every day. Just a little something to think about.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

As usual BobH made the comment I would have made. Personally, I gave up on all edge tests except shaving a few years ago. I use the same test for my SRs that I use for DE blades: when I can't get a good comfortable shave I work on my SR edge or change my DE blade.

This thread made me wonder what our grandfathers or great grandfathers who shaved with SRs every day would think of it. They probably had one or two razors, probably a Barber's Hone and a strop. Do you think they discussed stria or other esoterica that we do? And they shaved almost every day. Just a little something to think about.

I actually have thought about it, but I came to a somewhat different conclusion about my/our ancestors, so here’s a different opinion. Just because they shaved doesn’t mean they shaved well, or were even interested in shaving well. My dad exited the bathroom many times with a face that looked like hamburger for a while.

SRP and other wet shaving forums are enthusiast forums. Most people who wet shave are not on forums. We are because (I hope) we are interested in how things work and how good we can be. There’s nothing wrong with that and we are a small minority.

My uncle was a machinist and ‘good enough’ was not good enough for him. I look at the Wolfman DE razors and they’re gorgeous, and I’ve never had one in hand. The maker doesn't need to be that good to make shaving tools. In spite of their price, I know that he isn’t getting rich. He does it because he likes to do it and wants to do the best that he can. Like us.

I understand we’re enthusiasts, but my dad and grandad were always pristinely groomed and good enough wasn’t good enough.

I wasn’t being argumentative, just suggesting tests are tests and shaving is shaving. Interesting conversations on SRP....that’s why I’ve been here for a while. Just trying to make people reflect on what the end goal is....shaving.

I agree sir, interesting discussions for sure.