Thread: Some thoughts on HHT

Noting the threads where new honers are lamenting the fact that their razor won't pass HHT, with more experienced members telling them not to worry about it, I thought to post some thoughts on it based on my experience the last few years. I think it is almost impossible that a new, or an experienced honer, won't be compelled to try HHT. For some, depending on the weight and texture of their hair, it will pass with relative ease. For others it will be from difficult to impossible.

It is an incontrovertible fact that hair of the head is variable in weight and texture depending on the person. The construction of a hair, composed of scales, attached to each other when viewed microscopically, lends itself to a better chance of positive HHT if the root of the hair is held outboard. The scale will catch more easily outbound whereas if the root is held inbound there is a tendency for the scale to slip over the edge.

The TPT is also a good indicator of the level of sharpness and it is very beneficial for the new honer to practice this test. Using a new DE blade, or an edge known to be sharp, to familiarize the thumb pad as to what a sharp edge feels like, is how I became adept at the TPT thanks to Randydance.

There are two approaches to the TPT. One is to feel the edge by moving the TP lightly across, or sideways, to the edge, as you might in testing a pocket knife. Another, and the way I prefer, is to hold the spine in the non dominant hand and place the TP of the other hand on the heel of the razor. Lightly slide the TP up the blade to feel for 'stickiness' as opposed to slickness. If the razor is keen it will grab the TP. Lift the TP and move up , repeating until you get to the razor's point. The idea is not to cut your TP so proceed carefully and lightly. If the razor is not keen the TP will run right up it and the edge will feel slick.

Even if the razor will not pass HHT it may shave quite well. The end after all is to get a smooth, close and comfortable shave. A razor that will pass HHT all day long is not worth it's weight if it won't shave well. Whether the razor will pass or not also use the TPT and arm/leg hair shaving/popping. Using those tests as a gauge for sharpness in advance of the shave works well to determine if a razor is ready to shave IME.