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  1. #1
    Son of Han saladbar2000's Avatar
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    yeah, I saw the video and I couldn't believe that any razor could cut a hair like it does in that animation. Other than hacking away at my face with a dull blade, what is the best indicator that the blade is ready?

  2. #2
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    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?
    Last edited by AFDavis11; 06-19-2007 at 11:46 PM.

  3. #3
    Son of Han saladbar2000's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AFDavis11 View Post
    I look for the hair to land directly on the blade itself when I run it horizontally over my arm hair.
    sorry if I'm a little slow but you don't recommend using hair from your head and you run the blade over your arm hair to test right?

  4. #4
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    For the HHT I get hair from my chest. This hair is waaaaay firmer then head hair.

    I often run the razor over my arm because its easier than replicating the test over several parts of the blade. I can run the blade over my arm hair, about one inch over the skin itself, and test the entire edge at once.

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    yup, watching the animation someone might not know that the hair is actually held and not just dropped onto the blade.

    Ditto - if it doesn't pass HHT, I am not even trying to shave with it. Passing HHT with boar hair is also not a good indicator - I need finer hair to be sure it's worth my time test-shaving.

    Cheers
    Ivo

  6. #6
    Carbon-steel-aholic DwarvenChef's Avatar
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    I'm at the point where the hair catches the edge and rips through, sometimes cutting the hair lengthwise, kind of a weird feeling.

    I haven't tried lately though, need to keep up with that...

  7. #7
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Really I think if you use a light touch, an exceptional stroke, and have patience a razor has to pass the HHT, eventually.

    I'm a little suspicious of guys that say their hair won't work with a HHT, especially knowing how long it took me to learn to hone well enough to do it, but if your looking for a razor that doesn't pull I think passing the HHT is an important milestone to pass.

    Then again, I think 8 guys out of 10 grab hair out of their head, which is usually much finer than a beard whisker.

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