Thread: Arm Hair Test (AHT) and Hanging Hair Test (HHT)

I have unsuccessfully "honed" only 4 or 5 razors, so this is a really naive question, but:

What is conceptually the difference between the AHT and the HHT ?

I know how to do them, so I know there is a procedure difference, but I can't really understand what is the difference between cutting a hair hanging from your finger or a hair hanging from your arm (especially when you try few mm or cm above skin level...)

I'm all the more surprised that the HHT is clearly controversial while the AHT is clearly not.

ideas?


thanks.

I really wish I could help here. lol. The HHT can be done a lot of different ways, but interpreted the same. While most people testing if it'll cut arm hair are doing it the same way...slow and steady. Just an idea.

As with anything else...Opinions run rampant, and lots of people have opinions about the tests, based on their personal experiences. If there's one thing you can't beat with logic, it's an opinion. lol. The one thing we all agree on:The shave test is king.

In my personal situation the following applies.
An edge that does not pass the AHT will certainly not pass the HHT.
An edge that passes the AHT will not necessarily pass the HHT.
An edge that passes the HHT passes the AHT as well.

The arm test isn't just for cutting above the skin. I do the arm test, not shaving the arm, but one hair at a time to check the edge of any new, to me, razor. The blade contacts the skin and I judge the resistance before cutting and sometimes it doesn't cut at all. When setting the bevel, it's the same thing, how much resistance before it cuts and recheck as you hone and after awhile you'll start to recognize the feel and know when you've maxed out the stone you're on. As you progress in grits it should always cut lighter than previous. By the time you're close to the finish stone it will start to just cut and lay hairs on the blade without even feeling it cut and usually before skin contact. The HHT is much more fickle IMO, dependent on changing hair thickness, texture, how much extends out, etc. etc.. I used it a lot in the beginning and it would at least tell me I had a sharp edge. Its not my choice anymore. I find looking at the edge with a magnifier and judging the edge by the arm hair is more reliable, and once both of those criterias are met, I get a smooth and comfortable shave, however sometimes it's doesn't pass the HHT- (I've tried a few times with a shave ready razor), but the shave was great!! Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Howard

Edit: Kind of forgot this. If you do a HHT and it doesn't cut the hair, is it ugly dull? Is it a little sharp? Is it close to really sharp? HHT doesn't tell that, so what do you do, AHT usually.