Thread: Different Sharpness Test?

I've never cared for the HHT. There's too many variables. I like to use the thumb nail test. When you think it's shaving sharp. wet your thumb nail and place the edge on your nail, then slightly draw in back. The only pressure should be the weight of the blade. If its sharp, it should stick at once. If not, go back to the hones. If it sticks along the length, give it 20 more laps and call it done.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I use a cherry tomato. Cut into the tomato at a 45 degree angle. It should take almost no pressure to slice the tomato. This is not an end honing test, but one to see if the bevel is set.

I have tested this test and find it lacking. Some edges that don't have a fully set bevel are still able to pass this test, so you should consider your tomato with a few grains of salt. It will taste better.

I'm not sure I would use the Tomato test because they are very acidic and might start corrosion if not completely washed off or neutralized. I would rather eat them than test razors with them

When saying "the bevels meet" this is at the edge.without any other seporate bevel also showing? Learning here so be nice. Ha.at this point the bevel is set and from then on your just getting out any grooves in the bevel?

Sorry, i know its not what this thread was started about. I will have to try this tbumbnail thing. The hht just seems a bit not accurate. If it cuts hair is one thing. Whiskers are much thicker. And mine are grey and stiff as nails.

The only time I test is at bevel set. If it cuts arm hair, I move on through the exact same routine all the time. It may differ for a stainless blade, but most times, I finish, and shave. I reckon consistency is the answer. Note what your razor feels like, and how you got it there, then just keep things steady. Biggest mistakes especially new honers make is over-honing and too much pressure.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Is the 'hair fall' what is swept up off of the floor? Serious question, I've not heard the term before.

Women with short hair go to the beauty supply and instead of buying a full wig, they buy what is known as 'a fall'. This is hair that attaches to the crown of the head and flows down to the shoulders, or more, and it appears they have long hair. i went to a beauty supply to buy a human hair 'fall' for doing HHT. Twas a lot of $ and I decided to just stick with whatever I pull out of my hair brush.

The HHT is my test to know whether my razor is shave ready. If a person uses the same hair consistently, your wife's, your own, you will gradually get a sense for when your own personal HHT is 'there.' Mine may not work for you, yours may not work for me. Some people may think I'm (shudder) wrong, but I'm going by 8 years of doing this, and that is what works consistently for me. YMMV.

My hair is very fine. My arm hair is even more fine. On the rare occasion when I feel the need to do or demonstrate the HHT, I grab a chest hair!

Weird, I know, but it could be worse if I went farther south!

By the way, calibration absolutely is critical. A perfect example of this is that my gray chest hairs cut much more easily than the normal dark ones so I don't use the gray ones.

Originally Posted by Utopian

By the way, calibration absolutely is critical. A perfect example of this is that my gray chest hairs cut much more easily than the normal dark ones so I don't use the gray ones.

Just curious, where does the southern rug fit in that calibration scale?

Originally Posted by Utopian

My hair is very fine. My arm hair is even more fine. On the rare occasion when I feel the need to do or demonstrate the HHT, I grab a chest hair!

Weird, I know, but it could be worse if I went farther south!

By the way, calibration absolutely is critical. A perfect example of this is that my gray chest hairs cut much more easily than the normal dark ones so I don't use the gray ones.

TMI! TMI! Imagery block please!

Originally Posted by KenWeir

Just curious, where does the southern rug fit in that calibration scale?

TMI! TMI! Imagery block please!

Please don't ask for pictures LOL