Thread: Different Sharpness Test?

Hi folks, I am wondering if there is a different way to tell if my razors are shave ready other than trying it on myself. I have real fine arm hair that doesn't work, and I am running out of leg hair. Neither one is tough enough to pass a HHT. Any ideas? Btw, I am doing O.K. still in a lot of pain and discomfort, if I knew my surgeon couldn't prescribe pain killers I would have went to one that could. Belly feels like someone is constantly punching me.

I've heard of people dedicating a cheap badger brush for HHT. You would need to recalibrate, but that would be the same with any hair change. I've also heard of people using a hair extension from a beauty parlor.

I have used the hair fall. They often have different thickness of hair. So, find all of one type to use. A fall with different colors will make it easier.
~Richard

My wife has very fine blond hair (not natural color). If razor passes HHT on it I move on to test shave of full face for final test.

Id be enterested in something besides HHT also. New to all this so im learning every day.

Originally Posted by Geezer

I have used the hair fall. They often have different thickness of hair. So, find all of one type to use. A fall with different colors will make it easier.
~Richard

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

What I do is wash my hair with a stripping type of shampoo (cheap) with no conditioner and take a lock right out of the shower. I also mark the root side on the paper packaging. A small lock lasts years. Conditioners and oils have a large effect on how the hair HHTs IME.

I depend more and more on my loupe and the sight and feel on the hones. For a while I could not get my hair to work in a hanging hair test either. I could get my wife's hair to work. Over time I first worked really hard to get it to work and then worked really hard at trying to figure out to not do it. Essentially what I have gotten to is, if the bevel apex looks perfect and then the bevel gets very well polished, it will pass a shave test. I put a lot of time and effort into the whole hanging hair thing, only to have it not really be a needed bench mark. There are some very good threads with very good pictures all about using a loupe to see what is going on at the apex and the bevel. I think it is probably worth exploring that route and abandoning the HHT.

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 just pull a hair from my wife's hair brush. Its very fine, and thin. I know when the edge is perfect, because it pops thru at the slightest touch.
"BUT" !! ( The "STROP" Is the key!!). To that perfect edge, that pops hair effortlessly IMHO.
Thru my own tests using 5 different types of strops,
3" Red Latigo
3" Bridle
3" Roo
2 1/2" Bridle
2 1/2" Shell
that some razors are suited more to certain strops.
Example:
I've taken blades straight from the hones, too a particular strop, but won't pass the HHT.
Try another, same thing, another, "RAGU" its in there. Some will say...you just needed to strop it more.
Now here's where I came to my conclusion. I went to the next strop...failed miserably. Next one...Nothing. Back to the strop that gave me the passing grade, "RAGU"!!.

I've done this countless times now, and have come up with 2 that achieve this for me most of the time.

No linen at any time.
3" Roo & 2 1/2"Bridle.
But this is..JMO, and there's others that may agree.

"The edge stops at the strop"
Not just the hones.

Talk to your primary doc or even the surgeon if you have to and get a referral to a pain management center. That's the only way to get serious pain relief, and not necessarily through pain killers. You'd be surprised at the options available.