One, the razor may draw on the strop
Two, the thumbpad test can help
Three, test shaving
The HHT does work, just as indicated on the video. You simply drop a hair* on the razor and its cut. This isn't a good indicator because
1) Its actually just a step on the way to getting a sharp razor
2) You don't know what kind of hair you have
3) People often grab hair from their head, not the best hair
4) Some people claim their hair won't cut
5) You can get a good HHT and hate the shave
6) You can get a good shave and a failed HHT (but rare)
7) You may need to learn to strop better to achieve it
I test shave only with a razor that passes the HHT, its not even close to ready unless it passes. Technically, I won't shave with a razor even if it has passed the HHT. Its about 1/2 way polished once it starts passing the HHT. The key is not whether it passes, but how confidently it passes and without any sound. It shouldn't "pop" either. I look for the hair to land directly on the blade itself when I run it horizontally over my arm hair.
Then you have arrived. I think you could even say that you can hone at that point! :-)
*Perhaps your thinking the hair is actually dropped on the blade? Thats not the case. Hair is moved onto the razor and pulled downward slowly. You don't let go of the hair.
Does that make sense?