Thread: Why HHT is important or is not?

I for one have NEVER use the HHT, as such, how/so/every! I do use the AHT [close to the base of the arm hair, by the way] and that's when I know I"m close, but, it does not mean that I WILL get a great BBS from that blade.
It does mean most of the time I will be within 'tuning' distance of a great shave,
that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

As ever, tinkersd

Personally, I think it's a tedious test that will yield false results. For that use it and are good at it, good on you. I don't think it's a test that someone new to honing should be using. You can get crazy with some diamonds and produce a passing HHT. Shave with it...PAIN. Harsh. Blood.

I don't have the best feeling in my thumbs, but I do use the TPT a little. Mostly I'll try to get it to shave arm hair. Then I keep going. When I feel I'm done I'll try to slice through arm hair "mid-air". Then I shave. If the shave sucks, I do something else.

Originally Posted by rickboone

false results. Shave with it...PAIN. Harsh. Blood.

I have to both agree and disagree with you.

I think passing the HHT with a 3 or greater lets you know the razor is sharp enough to cut hair. What the HHT does not tell you is how smooth that shave is going to be.

I have read many times people have gotten fantastic shaves from a razor that failed the HHT-I don't buy it. I think people may not be doing the test correctly. I would like to try to shave with one of these razors.

Originally Posted by Doc226

I have to both agree and disagree with you.

I think passing the HHT with a 3 or greater lets you know the razor is sharp enough to cut hair. What the HHT does not tell you is how smooth that shave is going to be.

I have read many times people have gotten fantastic shaves from a razor that failed the HHT-I don't buy it. I think people may not be doing the test correctly. I would like to try to shave with one of these razors.

I doubt any of my razors pass an HHT. I don't know. I don't do it. I don't go for ultra sharp, rather really smooth. I prefer the edge to last and not be brittle. Too many variables in HHT for it to be a worthy test. HHT 1-5 or whatever, plus hair type all make a difference. Why bother learning this unless it gives you a very accurate reading? Just never made sense to me. I've shaved with several razors that did pass the HHT at 4 or 5 or whatever and frankly, the shave was sub par.

So, the HHT will tell you the razor is sharp enough to cut hair. But, it wont' tell you if the razor is sharp. SO.....why do it? Why not just see if it'll cut hair, then get it smooth?

Originally Posted by rickboone

? Why not just see if it'll cut hair, then get it smooth?

But that is a HHT in a way. I am sure you don't just cut your arm hair at the base, you cut it midway and pay attention to how it behaves when you cut it. The HHT is the same, you need to have consistent hair, and perform the test in a consistent manner and then correlate the results to the shave.

I agree having a razor that passes the HHT at a 5 does not guarantee a smooth shave, but I think it guarantees a tug free shave.

Originally Posted by Doc226

But that is a HHT in a way. I am sure you don't just cut your arm hair at the base, you cut it midway and pay attention to how it behaves when you cut it. The HHT is the same, you need to have consistent hair, and perform the test in a consistent manner and then correlate the results to the shave.

I agree having a razor that passes the HHT at a 5 does not guarantee a smooth shave, but I think it guarantees a tug free shave.

If HHT works for you, great. Rock it till your socks fall apart.

When I'm setting the bevel I just try to cut arm hair. At the base, actually. Just lets me know I'm on the right track. When I finish honing/ my progression, I will cut it above the base to see how it reacts. I don't do any number system just a yes or no. I use the Rick's face method. If it's good, it's reacted by a cheesy grin and something along the lines of "dammit, son! sweeeet!!" or a grimace look, a sigh or grunt and an unspoken message indicating the razor needs to go back to the stones. I

I actually dont use it anymore, I check at the bevel stage that I have a solid bevel and hone lightly on slurry afterwards and if there's no sign of uneven pressure or light reflecting at the bevel, i've got a good edge.

In my head, if the edge hasn't had any scrapes or uneven strokes and is uniformally polshed/scratched right along the bevel, its a good edge (after checking set bevel) and my last 9 razors honed have been great But then again I wouldnt recommend this method for everyone

Originally Posted by rickboone

I doubt any of my razors pass an HHT.

You may not do it but I can guarantee your razors would pass it.

Originally Posted by rickboone

face method. If it's good, it's reacted by a cheesy grin

HAHAHAHA, could not agree more.

Originally Posted by Doc226

You may not do it but I can guarantee your razors would pass it.

Huh? I may not be able to get them to pass or I may not do the HHT?

You guarantee that my razors I've honed will pass HHT? Izza losted.

Originally Posted by rickboone

Huh? I may not be able to get them to pass or I may not do the HHT?

You guarantee that my razors I've honed will pass HHT? Izza losted.

What I meant is, if your razors pop off arm hair, they will pass the HHT-if you were to do the test.