Hanging Hair Test

**Quatsch** · 06-07-2006, 11:02 PM

When you guys hone, can you really get it to the point where it cuts a hair that you're gently lowering towards the blade?

I got a Norton 4k/8k stone and was practicing honing on a vintage puma razor that I picked up at an antique store for $15. It's in pretty good shape, and I was able to get it much sharper than it was (it'll cut hairs off my arm), but I couldn't get it to pass the hanging hair test.

**ToxIk** · 06-07-2006, 11:20 PM

I'm not sure; But I am sure there will be quite some debate on this and how effective the HHT is compared to a real shave.

I guess it depends on what kind of hair your using/have. Me, I have very fine hair. If I run one across the palm of my hand, I cannot feel it (and trust me, I have soft skin); however, I can barely feel it if I run it across the back of my hand. Although, It feels more like an itch than something touching me. With that said, I tried the HHT on the razor I recieved from Lynn in the giveaway. No doubt it did pass the HHT, however, it didn't just slice through the hair every time. When I brought the hair gently down over the blade, a bunch of times it would pass over the blade. I'm not trying to knock on Lynn's honing here - the razor shaved fantastically - I'm just trying to make the point that in my experience with the HTT, there are quite a few variables that can change the outcome. Hair fineness and if the hair is wet seems to be the biggest variables in my book. Also, hair (at least my hair) is more grippy from tip to root than root to tip.

Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I'm as yet only a newb and still await the response of some of the pro's

**Joe Chandler** · 06-08-2006, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by ToxIk

I'm not sure; But I am sure there will be quite some debate on this and how effective the HHT is compared to a real shave.

I guess it depends on what kind of hair your using/have. Me, I have very fine hair. If I run one across the palm of my hand, I cannot feel it (and trust me, I have soft skin); however, I can barely feel it if I run it across the back of my hand. Although, It feels more like an itch than something touching me. With that said, I tried the HHT on the razor I recieved from Lynn in the giveaway. No doubt it did pass the HHT, however, it didn't just slice through the hair every time. When I brought the hair gently down over the blade, a bunch of times it would pass over the blade. I'm not trying to knock on Lynn's honing here - the razor shaved fantastically - I'm just trying to make the point that in my experience with the HTT, there are quite a few variables that can change the outcome. Hair fineness and if the hair is wet seems to be the biggest variables in my book. Also, hair (at least my hair) is more grippy from tip to root than root to tip.

Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I'm as yet only a newb and still await the response of some of the pro's

The HHT is a good test, but the ultimate test is shaving. The HHT gives you an idea where it's at as far as sharpness, but doesn't predict the quality of the shave. Oh, and Toxik...thanks for the snipe on the Wostenholm...I guess the ebay names thread doesn't work after all.

**ToxIk** · 06-08-2006, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

Oh, and Toxik...thanks for the snipe on the Wostenholm...I guess the ebay names thread doesn't work after all.

ohh crap! I'm so sorry man. I didn't realize that was you. I checked the names list, but only skimmed seeing as it was last minute. Must have not caught your name. Damn, soooo sorry. I guess it's too late to retract the bid, but if you want, I can tell the guy to send the invoice to you and ship you the razor (I haven't paid yet, needed to find out shipping to canada). It's only like what? $2 over the proxy you set.

**Joe Chandler** · 06-08-2006, 01:34 AM

No problem...it was just a joke. Ebay is survival of the richest.

**ToxIk** · 06-08-2006, 01:41 AM

Hehehe, thanx man, I've heard good things about wostenholms so I'm happy to soon have one on the way

I do sincerely appologize, even if it was a joke.

**Joe Chandler** · 06-08-2006, 01:51 AM

Wostenholms are great....my first great shaving razor was a Wostenholm. I've got a mint 5/8 that's among my best shavers.

**gglockner** · 06-08-2006, 02:00 AM

I like to use boar hair from an old brush. I get better feedback from that than my own hair. The proof is still in the shave, but when honing a razor the HHT is a must.

Glen

**trapperjohnme** · 06-08-2006, 04:05 AM

i am still a real newbie at honing and as such i find the HHT indespensable. i do not trust any "feel " type test. I stay on the 4k norton untill i can easily cut a hanging hair, wiht very little balde motion, then i move to the 8k untill it cuts the hair when i touch it.
when i am working on an edge i constantly test the razor with a hanging hair. if it doesnt cut he hair slowly, i speed up the motion of the blade until it cuts it or i realize it will nto cut it. the slower the blade moves when it cuts the hair, the sharper it is.
id like to learn how to trust the thumb test as i am pulling WAY to much hair out of my head!
I knwo that shaving is the ultimate test, and there are other test available, but as a new honer who has not developed a good feel that is what i rely on.

**xman** · 06-08-2006, 05:37 AM

Yes it works, but it works better under certain conditions.

1. Clean hair works, but oily hair struggles at best.
2. Hold the root out for best results, otherwise it's very hard going indeed.
3. Approacing the perfectly vertical blade with a slight downward angle rather than perfectly horizontal provides a little resistance against the edge to catch the hair better.
4. Fine hair like mine is harder to pass the test than coarser hairs like my wife's.

The shave is the ultimate test, IMHO.

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