Thread: Some thoughts on HHT

I have found the DE blade tests to be invaluable for every test except the HHT. When I couldn't get a Feather to pass (when I first started honing), it gave me some perspective. I rely on it heavily NOW, and I haven't revisited the Feather...

Read the thread throughly Glen, ya idiot

I shoulda known without even reading it Jimmy, sorry brother

Ahhh heck it was worth mentioning twice

I'm newbie. I don't understand any of the acronyms. TP=toilet paper? TNT is what? I've seen a Hanging Hair Test aka HHT on youtube. So still not too certain where sharp is considered sharp.

I have a WISS I just boght the other day. Not the finest, but it was cheap. I decided to try something today. I pull out my Harbor Freight 1" x 30" belt sander and put the 1000 grit German belt on it and begin. I keep the razor flat against the belt so that it not only hits the blade but the back of the blade as well. cutting edge facing down, or with the direction of the belt. LIGHT pressure, very light. First one side and then the other and not too long on a side. Did this for about 8 or so reps. Then pulled off the 1000 grit (which is worn from sharpening knives and probably more 1200 to 1400 grit) and put on my German leather 1X30" belt. One side, the smooth side, has polishing compound on it. I use that first and go light storkes on each side, not staying too long against the belt and moving constant and VERY lightly. First one side and then the other. Did quite a few reps on it. I supose it is probably around 5000 to 6000 grit if you think of it. Then I stopped and removed the belt and put the soft side out and shiny side (smooth) side in. I stopped the razor several times one pass each on one side before going to the other side. Spent probably 4 mintues doing that.

Now, I've kept everything very light touch and delicate and steady. Blade has a polished look to the edges. Took off my shirt and went down across my chest and belly hairs about 1/4" up and it snagged and cut hairs with no problem. Before it was just barely cutting hair on my arm. In knife talk that is "tree topping". But, for razors, I'm not sure. For what it's worth, the only strop I have is an old leather belt. My finest stone is a Norton HS4 natural Arkansas Oil Stone. But, it quite easily snags and cuts hair on my chest and belly. What is the next step?

Gibbs,

HHT=Hanging Hair Test
TPT=Thumb Pad Test
TNT=Thumb Nail Test

There's been a TON of sarcasm, exaggeration, and humor in this thread, I think that's all of the legitimate acronyms.

If you're coming from the knife world I assume you have the platen yanked off your belt sander. The problem with using the sander is that the belt is not kept perfectly flat, regardless of how little pressure is used. It's also a great way to wear down the spine and get a wavy edge. You're in the right spot and I from your post I can infer a several clues in your post that you know what your doing on knives. Part of the joy and challenge to the straight razor game is that it really is a completely different game all together. The types of edges we are after in knives are NOT the same as the edges we are after in straight razors. There's really no quick way to absorb all the info here but the honing section of the Wiki on this site

Category:Straight Razor Maintenance - Honing & Stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

is nearly invaluable and ought to be considered required reading. Don't freak out about all the different stones and methods, thats part of the fun side to this game as well.

From what I can gather your HS4 is simply termed Arkansas "Hard"...that means it's likely on the coarse side of 4k grit according to one chart I have. You really need a stone at the 8k level as a minimum. Also, being a knife and razor guy I can assure you a proper strop is a joy, there are some economical options out there, and a strop dedicated solely for your razors is time money and effort well spent.

This is getting way too long. Private Message me (or Private Topic as it's called on some knife forums) and I'll offer what I can.

Can't help but think lots of people totally over think things like this. Call me crazy but I totally operate under the KISS principle which goes something like this:

1. Hone the razor. Will it shave arm/chest hair with ease? No, hone it more. Yes, strop the crap out of it and proceed to step 2.

2. Shave with the razor. Are you getting a close comfortable shave and lots of "pepper" in your lather when you wipe off the blade? No, repeat step 1 and try again. Yes, continue to shave with the razor stropping the hell out of it prior to each shave until you don't get close comfortable shaves, then repeat step 1.

The only hanging hair I need my razors to cut is the stubble hanging from my face and neck. If it does that closely and comfortably we're good.

LOL love your avatar 1OldGI !! Dunham is great!

I know I need to get some stone sometime. I need to get a razor that is comfortable to shave with. I tried it last night. Shaves, yes, a lot of pull and not comfortable. However, it does a better job than my wife's Hair Dressers straight razor with the disposable blades. I tried that without the guard and the WISS is better. It should be as comfortable to shave with as my disposable Gillette, but it was not. Our cellar master uses one of those disposables and then pitches it after one use. Must be the German in me. I ususally use a disposable for about a month or maybe 6 weeks before replacing it.

I do not think I can get the razor near sharp enough with just the belt sander and stopping. I can get it close to "razor" sharp and latch onto free hairs and cut, but I don't think any more stopping with my belt is going to improve things. Would make a nice Badger skinner. *smiling*

Stone and pyramid from 25 normally works for me. Lots of stropping afterwards

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Stone and pyramid from 25 normally works for me. Lots of stropping afterwards

Ok... I'm new. What is a pyramid from 25? I have seen those Belgain stones and they look like the cat's meow for honing. Bear with me, Walter.

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Ok... I'm new. What is a pyramid from 25? I have seen those Belgain stones and they look like the cat's meow for honing. Bear with me, Walter.

The pyramid is usually done with the Norton 4/8 but can also be done with other synthetic stones within the same grit range. Here is Lynn Abrams tutorial on the pyramid from the honing section of the SRP Wiki and here is an alternative pyramid sequence that was posted by me as related to me by Randydance.

When using synthetics I still like to use the pyramid myself although other honers use the progressive method. There are tutorials on various methods with various stones in the SRP Wiki so browse around and experiment.

The Belgian stones have a long history in razor honing and many like the characteristically smooth and comfortable shaves they get from razors honed with them. There is a learning curve with them and I like them as an adjunct to other hones but like to have more arrows in the quiver than the coticule by itself. YMMV.

Without going into a lot of whys and why nots I have 2 suggestions.

!. Never use a belt grinder on a razor.
2 Get it professionally honed.