Thread: Sharpness help!

1. It's on YouTube.

2. Uncertainty leads to a quest for "objective" tests.

3. When you don't know what "shave ready" even means, you'll take any port in a storm.

Just shaved with it this morning, no problems and the right side of my face is the smoothest it's been since I was 10. Left out the left side for another day. Thanks all

Originally Posted by ace

1. It's on YouTube.

2. Uncertainty leads to a quest for "objective" tests.

3. When you don't know what "shave ready" even means, you'll take any port in a storm.

This is spot on! Been using the straight for a little over a month now, and this is EXACTLY the course I ran.

Originally Posted by gerry9793

Just shaved with it this morning, no problems and the right side of my face is the smoothest it's been since I was 10. Left out the left side for another day. Thanks all

Why would you only shave one side of your face....?

It was my first shave lol it was recommended in the beginners guide to only shave with your dominant hand and get the other side when you're more comforatable, which is understandable. I got the other side with an electric razor

That is a perfectly reasonable approach, except for the electric razor.
If the straight doesn't work out for you, seriously consider trying a double edge (DE) safety razor. You can get fantastic shaves from them and they are much easier than straight razors.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I get so frustrated at hearing a newer person to straight shaving thinking a HHT is a definitive test. The ONLY test that is 100% conclusive is a shave. The TPT, TNT, HHT can be used...if you know what you are doing...which means experience. It's not your fault, but I would like to know where you newer guys get this from so that it can be addressed & those following your footsteps will not have to go thru the same frustrations you have.

I can only speak from my experience, but I 'learned' to strop, hone and shave with a str8 from You Tube and all the videos that I watched tout the HHT as the definative test of shave readiness.
Clearly I watched the wrong ones!!!!
It was only when I discovered this site that I was educated.....thanks to all who contribute.

Originally Posted by ace

1. It's on YouTube.

2. Uncertainty leads to a quest for "objective" tests.

3. When you don't know what "shave ready" even means, you'll take any port in a storm.

I was really hoping that it was here on SRP as I know we could get it taken care of. I understand your quest for knowledge and the internet is a wonderful tool. Unfortunately there is some mis-information out there as well.

You see, I could probably make a razor (it would go against everything I have learned though) pass a HHT off 1K. I would form a wire edge along the entire bevel. Just the sound of a wire edge sounds bad doesn't it?

Anyways, sounds like you are on the right track simply by asking a question. Keep on educating yourself off here or by users from here and you will be miles ahead...

This talk of the HHT brings to mind another thread that I remember reading on bevel setting where, if my memory is correct, it is agreed on that the razor shouldn't be taken from the 1000 grit bevel setting stone until the HHT is passed. I am aware that that the original post here is in reference to a razor that was said to be shave ready and the case is different, but if the HHT is such a poor standard measuring stick, wouldn't this also be a poor standard measuring stick in reference to moving up from the 1000 grit stones? I don't remember any talk of the subjectivity of the HHT in the bevel setting thread but here it is here and it's confusing me as to the standard (other than microscopic visual confirmation) for establishing your bevel is adequately set.
I'm asking becuase I still have no luck passing the HHT off a 1000 Shapton and have been mainly blaming it on my technique as I've done my best to eliminate variable factors the HHT. But if the test itself is not that reliable, what should I be looking for instead to to be happy with the bevel and move on the the polishing stones? (Sorry to get so off topic)

Originally Posted by JosephG

This talk of the HHT brings to mind another thread that I remember reading on bevel setting where, if my memory is correct, it is agreed on that the razor shouldn't be taken from the 1000 grit bevel setting stone until the HHT is passed. I am aware that that the original post here is in reference to a razor that was said to be shave ready and the case is different, but if the HHT is such a poor standard measuring stick, wouldn't this also be a poor standard measuring stick in reference to moving up from the 1000 grit stones? I don't remember any talk of the subjectivity of the HHT in the bevel setting thread but here it is here and it's confusing me as to the standard (other than microscopic visual confirmation) for establishing your bevel is adequately set.
I'm asking becuase I still have no luck passing the HHT off a 1000 Shapton and have been mainly blaming it on my technique as I've done my best to eliminate variable factors the HHT. But if the test itself is not that reliable, what should I be looking for instead to to be happy with the bevel and move on the the polishing stones? (Sorry to get so off topic)

It's not that the HHT is unreliable, it's that you have to understand it and the results that it can give before it becomes reliable. Personally, I don't use it, but many do. Coming of the bevel setter, I want the edge to pop arm hairs all along the length of the blade (not least because I have many more hairs on my arm than I do on my head). A new straight shaver has to deal with a great number of variables anyway and to add to them by attempting the HHT on a razor that has come 'shave ready' is far more likely to confuse further than it is, to help.