Thread: Hanging hair test

I've been trying to use the hht to judge an edge and for some reason I can never actually cut the hair. I've used hair from my head, chest, arms, face, and legs all with same results.

I've watched videos on how its done and I believe I am doing it right. I hold cuticle end and try bringing it down on the edge at every speed and different distances from my fingers.

I tried it on a brand new dovo from straight razor designs. I've tried it on a razor the day I got it back from Glenn after he honed it and still nothing.

Could it be possible that my hair is too soft or flexible. And is there any other test I can use to assess the edge beyond 6k?

Thank you in advance.

Try it on a DE, then go from there...

Generally the HHT is for the person honing the edge and even then it has to be calibrated..

The first step to that Calibration is the DE test, when I asked some friends that are most all DE shavers on another forum to try HHT's, only about 60% got their Hair to pass


How does the razor shave ????

OK I will give it a try tomorrow.

Up to the 6k on the razors I've honed I can distinctly tell the differences with the thumb pad but beyond is why I've been trying the hht. I've just been confused since the videos I've seen it works so well/easy for the person.

LMAO, That is because if it didn't work for them they don't usually make a vid hehehe

A vid of an HHT is simply bragging nothing more,, I can pop an HHT with my hair at the 1k level, it means nothing, now the wife's hair I can't pop HHT unless I have the right razor and I have stropped it really well also...

Maybe a stupid question but I've found that I can do the hht with my hair bit my wife has very fine hair and I can't do it with hers, are the hairs your using fine or coarse? Just a thought. I know its not worth much,but a try

Originally Posted by EAGLESKADU

Maybe a stupid question but I've found that I can do the hht with my hair bit my wife has very fine hair and I can't do it with hers, are the hairs your using fine or coarse? Just a thought. I know its not worth much,but a try

And that's pretty much what Glen means by calibration. Not all hairs will pass on different blades. On some of my razors I can do it ( I have fine hair ) and others won't. All shave equally well, it comes down to the shave test.

I have thick hair. My wife has fine. Neither work. Out of curiosity I had to see what it took the other day and I had to hold both ends of the hair and actually pull it until it basically breaks over the edge.

Originally Posted by meleii

And is there any other test I can use to assess the edge beyond 6k?

Thank you in advance.

I'd suggest the shaving test. You're very welcome.

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

And that's pretty much what Glen means by calibration. Not all hairs will pass on different blades. On some of my razors I can do it ( I have fine hair ) and others won't. All shave equally well, it comes down to the shave test.

+1 my hair is so thick it will pass the HHT on a blade that shaves like a chopping knife. Maybe not quite that dull. But well before I would consider it shave ready. I only use the HHT to judge when I am getting close to a shave test. The quieter the sound of the cut the closer to a shave test I am.

I also feel I should add that when shaving the edges feel fine and comfortable when I'm done I just don't want to spend too much time on the 6k. My progression for a flea market razor is typically 800/1k depending on condition 4k 6k all king waterstones then a 2 sided king midas barber hone (cream side).

It always seems like my hair just doesn't like being cut. Even with the sharpest razor I have it takes 4 passes. Wtg, xtg, then 2 atg for a BBS shave.