Thread: Why HHT is important or is not?

Originally Posted by Theseus

The reason that HHT is so discussed as not being a good test is that not everyones hair works for HHT. For me, I can't get an HHT to work with my hair. The one time it did work the blade looked like a saw under 10x.

So what do you use to check your edges-short of shaving (again the best test)

But honest honey, those long blonde hairs are for doing HHT's!

Wife's reply: "Sweetie, don't you know the HHT is an unreliable test?!"

Originally Posted by Doc226

So what do you use to check your edges-short of shaving (again the best test)

The only test I do other than the shave test is the thumb pad test while I am setting the bevel. Sometimes I'll do an arm hair test, but that, I've learned, is about as reliable as the HHT for me.

People are hating the HHT because the majority of people and especially newbies think that good HHT = good shave. They can drive me crazy when someone says that his razor passes the HHT beautifully, and doesn't understand why the razor is shaving poorly. When I say that he should forget the HHT all together, than I am the evil bastard

The best test for me is the TNT while bevel setting, and AHT if I am in doubt. In the end, the shave is all that matters. I have found that if I have a nice even bevel at 1k, and do enough laps on the 4k and 8k levels, than it is hard to screw up the edge really badly.

Originally Posted by jeness

People are hating the HHT because the majority of people and especially newbies think that good HHT = good shave. They can drive me crazy when someone says that his razor passes the HHT beautifully, and doesn't understand why the razor is shaving poorly.

That is the problem. I 100% agree, the HHT tell you the razor is sharp enough to shave hair, nothing about the shave it self. Like I have said I have has some pretty bad shaves with razors that passed the HHT, on the same note, I have never had a good shave from a razor that failed the HHT.

Unfortunately, I think the hate actually comes from places other than here.

For me, the HHT is simply not a reliable measure when it comes to how well a razor will shave. In addition, a new guy who opens a razor that has been oiled and tries the HHT to find it won't cut hair proclaims a razor not shave ready and has a pre-determined disposition that in most cases cannot be reversed regardless of how well the razor shaves. The fascination regarding the HHT though has been around forever, but no matter what, you still have to shave with a razor to determine how it shaves.

Kudos to those who have tried to quantify the HHT. It is really hard for new guys whose expectations are immediate to really learn and appreciate all the tests out there. Whether it's thumb pad or cutting arm hair at the skin or mid hair, we need to recognize that all these tests are not definitive. They are simply indicators at best of when to move to the next stage.

Factor in all the variable with the hairs themselves and we have even more confusion.

Sometimes I think that if we take first time shavers out of the equation and leave the HHT to those who feel it has value, we would have a non issue.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Lynn

For me, the HHT is simply not a reliable measure when it comes to how well a razor will shave.

Lynn I completely agree and I think that is the problem. The HHT for me is simply just a measure the razor is sharp enough to cut hair, it does absolutely nothing to predict the shave.

But I believe that a razor that fails MY HHT, done in MY way, with MY wife's hair will not shave me well. Passing the MY HHT, however, in no way guarantees a good shave.

Two things I have said about the HHT that still stand..

1. If used, it should only be used by the person honing the razor

2. If used it has to be calibrated to a simple go/nogo test

OK,

So little info. I think I got HHT yesterday after I have re-hone one of my razors. Hair was sliced in two pieces when I have pressed hair over the blade. Hair bend little bit but them pop up without problem. I think this is (if not mistaken HHT3) correct execution of HHT. if not correct me please. I took some time on C12K and long stropping but was worth to do it. This morning I had very nice shave with this razor. It was better then before. I have noticed shave was more smooth and less skin pain after shave. But was this a "MUCH" better then before... not really. I think HHT test is really personal test for people honing razor and shouldn`t be used by anyone buying new razor as factor to determinate is razor is "shave ready". I have few other razors that don`t pass any HHT but they are superb shavers. I have one prepared by Glen (last time we meet) and this one does not do HHT but, man they shave I get from this razor is just amazing. Like a silk moving over your face!!! Why... I really don`t know . Fact is that this is Glen job (I think 95 of success), so kudos to Glen. Second... blade is probably made from very good steel. So I think my summary is... if you like razor you shave with, you like it performance and you get great shave it really does matter how many and what test you used before you reach point of your satisfaction and great shave. This is my personal opinion.
Other point: Once I bought for friend of my (shaving and honing for many years) one DD Special #1. Well, I prepared for him this razor (and I`m really new in honing) but I remember finishing it on C12k with slurry, no slurry and last point slurry to dry slurry (about super light 300 passes or more). DD didn`t pass any HHT however it was an outstanding shaver. I tested and I sent blade to my friend. He loves the blade. In fact for past three months he has not used any other razor. I think I just got lucky, I got razor on the right point, right time and got bevel set correctly, finished to best of my knowledge and I think that`s what is matters most.

Thank you guys for all your info, help and opinions… It really matter to me and help me understand HHT in few different prospectives.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Two things I have said about the HHT that still stand..

1. If used, it should only be used by the person honing the razor

2. If used it has to be calibrated to a simple go/nogo test

Perfect, love it

Originally Posted by proximus26

OK,

so little info. I think I got HHT yesterday after I have re-honen one of my razors. Hair was sliced in two pieces when I have pressed hair over the blade. Hair bend little bit but them pop up without problem. I think this is (if not mistaken HHT3) correct execution of HHT. if not correct me please. I took some time on C12K and long stropping but was worth to do it. This morning I had very nice shave with this razor. It was it better then before. Little bit yes, more smooth and less skin pain after shave.

Not having seen it or felt it, sounds like a 3. Really should not be much bend in the hair. Also the HHT should be the same all parts of the blade.

The bolded part is really what counts, but if you are having skin pain then you are likely not there with the edge yet.