So how exactly does knowing that someone else thought they got a good shave or a hht 4 or whatever actually help you?

I agree with you regarding the subjective nature of these things, which is why I've never made any bones about the fact that I think numerical gradations of a subjective test is not only ludicrous but, IMO, deliberately misleading the less experienced into thinking there is something scientific going on. And I will continue to poke fun at the hht-x wherever and whenever I see it arise.

There is, however, an obvious exclusion (or perhaps exception, I don't know) to this idea of subjectivity, and that is the honemeister. The honemeister, or at least the successful one, appears able to transcend subjectivity to an extent and produce consistently good edges for a wide and varied assortment of shavers. And what makes a honemeister a honemeister? Sure, they have equipment we might not have and yes, they may posses a level of natural ability above and beyond the rest of us. But IMO what make a honemeister is experience. Razor after razor, stone after stone, strop after strop, client after client, year after year, edge after edge.

Anyway, I forget what my point was now.... but I think it had something to do with the nature of subjectivity and the mitigating effects of expertise.

YMMV of course.

James