Quote Originally Posted by Steel View Post
So many things in this hobby are subjective (maybe everything). I see people being scolded for using terms such as buttery smooth or HHT-4 (not saying that's going in here). I don't know why as long as everyone understands that it is subjective to THEM. The HHT for one person may not be true for another. What I am learning is that this is true of shave tests too. What one considers smooth and sharp another calls harsh and dull since it is all relative to experience, contours of the face, beard thickness, technique, ect. An edge that I think is the best ever maybe very harsh down the road after some more experience and harsh to those more experienced and awesome to those who have never had a sharp edge.

Now, if my shave test is calibrated to what I like I can get consistent results using it. Same with a HHT at whatever level. It is all subjective and relevant to the individual at that point in time (see what I did there Glenn?). How do you quantify such things? But when someone says it passed such and such a test whether it's a smooth shave on a shave test or a HHT-5 using a 0-5 scale I know that it is great shave FOR THEM at that point in time (did it again). I think as long as everyone understands that it's all subjective you get the point. Otherwise you can't talk about such things at all. Smooth for you is not always smooth for me but I know you are talking about your edge on your face or your HHT results on your razor. You tell me it passed a shave test for you but what does that mean to me? Nothing except it is a smooth shave for you which is exactly what you are trying to convey.

I am not trying to offend anyone as I appreciate EVERYONES opinion I just think it's time to stop swinging purses gentlemen. YMMV (thought I would throw that in there )
BINGO!! That's exactly it, it is subjective to everyone but...what we are talking about here when we talk about shave tests etc. is years of experience with honing and using straights. I shave test every razor I hone for myself and others and can tell if it's going to give a good shave and if it doesn't then it's not right, and no amount of pasted strop is going to do anything if the bevel etc. isn't right.

If I had to use a pasted strop to keep an edge on a razor then I would really have to question my honing abilities. But again that's just me, as I said before if it works for you then great...we're all here to learn from others and that's what makes it great.

When it comes to the HHT, and why we all say YMMV around here...My hair is so fine that about the only razors that will cut my hair in an HHT are FULL Hollows such as a Fili. It's why I laugh when guys try to break it down to different levels like 1-5. For me a HHT will get a 0...because in the end it may not cut a darn hair off my head but it will shave as smooth as a "velvet squeegee" that we all ultimately strive for