Thread: Some thoughts on HHT

tinkersd,

Here is my point of view. First, the shaving test is the ultimate and final test. All pertinent references to sharpening end with the final evaluation of the razors potential to shave. Monkeys can eventually get a razor sharp, but there is a good reason why they don't shave with those blades.

Anyone that relies on the shaving test to evaluate sharpness while honing is either an idiot or honing while they are in the shower.

It's far too inefficient to even consider shave testing while honing.

So, some form of test should be created. The HHT is a good test, but you have to know your hair (whichever hair you choose) and go from there. I use chest hair. So for me, passing the HHT is easy and the way the hair is cut (the effectiveness) tells me a lot about the sharpness of the razor. If I can't pass the HHT with a razor than I am so far off from basic honing principles that I should just give up honing all together. The basic premise is the use of a high grit stone using a perfect stroke. That is the key to developing sharpness. That, and of course, using no pressure in the stroke.

The thumbpad test measures sharpness because the edge has become so sharp that it now cuts the skin on contact. Slight movement sideways is caught in this contact patch. This is pretty subtle and hard to really judge until you have lots of experience. For me though it is best applied after stropping. As you have noted passing the test with striated teeth on the edge from a low grit stone is kind of pointless.

I would suggest you focus a little on stropping technique and complete your TPT tests after stropping. Go with the assumption that the edge will get sticky once it is shave ready. Work the strop in a few different ways as there are many strops and many misunderstandings about stropping. Do not accept anything less than stickiness as the guide to shaver ready. In the end you'll discover a new level of sharpness and a new level of respect for the complexity and power of the strop.

The finer the grit of the stone the harder it is to pass the TPT with hone alone. But, the TPT is a shave readiness test, not just a sharpness test.