Thread: Bringing the HHT to its knees

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Hey Ace, just IMHO, good that you resurrected the dead horse. The volume of new guys who come here daily, not to mention those new guys that lurk, need to see the truth about the HHT. New threads on it make sure that those folks get some perspective on it too.

Thanks! It's an interesting test, and one that I would love to see one of my razors pass one day, but I'm not hung up on it. I have some razors that ought to pass it but don't. My shavette with a Feather blade can't pull if off, and that tells me something. I don't worry about it, but when I see Philadelph do it, I know it can be done. Of course, in the end, there is really only one test that matters, and, to be honest, I can't pass that one either.

Originally Posted by ace

My shavette with a Feather blade can't pull if off, and that tells me something. I don't worry about it, but when I see Philadelph do it, I know it can be done.

An example of the differences encountered with the HHT. Philadelph can do it with the hair he is using. If your Feather blade won't do it I expect your doing it with a honed straight would be a real longshot. All hair isn't created equal.

Good point! I've tried a straight on Badger Bristle and that didn't work, but I suspect that's a tougher test. I got my daughter's hair brush and scavenged some hair from it to use. The problem is her hair is very long, blond, and quite fine. You'd laugh if you could see me trying the HHT when her hair is so light it just hovers over the blade and can barely be made to touch it, let alone get cut by it. Still.......................one day?

Originally Posted by ace

Good point! I've tried a straight on Badger Bristle and that didn't work, but I suspect that's a tougher test. I got my daughter's hair brush and scavenged some hair from it to use. The problem is her hair is very long, blond, and quite fine. You'd laugh if you could see me trying the HHT when her hair is so light it just hovers over the blade and can barely be made to touch it, let alone get cut by it. Still.......................one day?

Unfortunately, the HHT is a very controversial test, as by now I'm sure you're well aware.

You'll hear the "There's only one test. The shave test" repeated ad nauseum, and yes, it's true that it *is* the final, and most important, of the sharpness test.

However, IMO, there's nothing wrong with enjoying this little hobby. And for some, that means attempting to get their honing skills to the point that they can get some sort of HHT response on some type (any type!) of hair. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with that... as long as you're getting comfortably shaves, nothing else really matters

There are also those that use the HHT test quite a lot. There's nothing wrong with that, either.

This whole hobby is one of subjectivity; some guys like certain sharpness tests, honing methods, and razors. Other guys like other stuff. That's the way it should be.

It's important that guys learn how to use all the tests correctly. Used correctly, every sharpness test has merit. It's just learning how to gauge those tests that can be a challenge. Part of the fun of this hobby is that it is easily learned, but hard to master, with so many things to learn along the way.

Just have fun with it!

I'm betting you'll get your HHT someday.

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

It's important that guys learn how to use all the tests correctly. Used correctly, every sharpness test has merit. It's just learning how to gauge those tests that can be a challenge.

BINGO !!!!!

Very well put...

Something I found interesting is that feathers don't work well for me in the HHT department (at all), but my straights do

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Something I found interesting is that feathers don't work well for me in the HHT department (at all), but my straights do

My Derbys pass, but with a pop and ping. Probably because the blade is so incredibly thin.

I'm working on a hanging hare test myself. I hold them by the long floppy ears and . . . well, I'll skip the details.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I'm working on a hanging hare test myself. I hold them by the long floppy ears and . . . well, I'll skip the details.

How 'bout some pics !

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I'm working on a hanging hare test myself. I hold them by the long floppy ears and . . . well, I'll skip the details.

You hold "them"? How many do you "test" at one time?