Thread: Hanging Hair Test

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Since I sport a flattop haircut, I am happy to have a constant supply of long dark hairs in my wife's hairbrush.

Oddly, I never get anywhere with the armhair/leghair tests (1 cm above the skin), even with a blade that passes HHT and shaves very nicely. Most guys here seem to get better results with the armhair/leghair tests.

Like others, I'll keep HHTing as I hone pyramids. At first, no cut at all; then, some catching, bending and breaking; then reluctant cutting; then, cutting with a pinging sound; then, on a good day, smooth, even soundless, popping away.

Or, I screw the whole thing up, go to bed, and try again the next day. Also, I have a lot to learn about working discrete parts of the blade (like when the toe is all set but the heel is still not sharp enough).

I also find it's better to keep the blade vertical and utterly still. The hand with the hair does all the moving. Try to have a light background (the table, a wall) against which to watch the contact. Avoid fast movements, because you can cut off a fingertip.