Thread: HHT problems ...

And then SWMBO goes and gets her hair coloured and blows the whole calibration thing out the window

Different hairs actually are a problem, but you are predominetly experiencing "catch" issues. A poorly honed razor will be sharp, but it'll catch whiskers. This is great for the HHT, not as much for shaving. Smooth the edge, more, and more, and the razor will have less catch. It'll still pass the HHT test even after some stropping. It's really sharp. At some point the hair will need to be oriented correctly because you will have to get the edge to slide in between the hairs "plates". The outer bark . . . I forget the technical term. this is a really smooth edge, and very sharp. Finally, at some point you'll achieve great smoothness. Then failure of the HHT. This is a great sign though, cuz this be da shaving edge, or close to it, that yar looking for!

Anyway, I'm a busy guy, so I'll only say this once. The Thumbpad test is the only pre-shave test that measures shavability, without actually shaving. The HHT is NOT a shavability test, it is only a sharpness test. Sharpness and smoothness must both be present. And they can be present in a variety of mixtures. A very smooth edge can shave as well as an ultra sharp edge. The optimum edge you produce will often NOT pass the HHT.

Originally Posted by mhenson

the scene where Whitney takes the sword and the scarf falls on it and slices in two pieces.

If it makes you feel any better, it doesn't work like that in real life.

Sorry but how do you do the HHT?

Originally Posted by ccase39

Sorry but how do you do the HHT?

Slowly... & with the finest hair possible .... Then if it fails you go & shave test anyway....

But what do you do?

Just messing with ya.
I don't have long enough head hair, I just use arm hair. If it cuts & falls over without tugging I go & shave test.

The HHt is really only of any use to someone honing & even then it's optional. If someone were to donate a hair I would turn it root out then again try to cut it slowly by pressure in one spot. The hair should be clean & dry or oils could mat down the cuticles preventing the edge from slicing in between. Only the sharpest of blades will cut the finest of hairs & that's not a guarantee either.

I have been checking my edges by passing them over my forearm 1/4 inch up off the skin. If it cuts but the hairs jump and ping, edge is good. If it cuts quietly and the hairs lay on the razor, it's very good.

I have no idea how that relates to HHT. I've never tried it.