HHT video and testing sharpness

Hi I'm John and I switched to straight razor shaving about two months ago with increasing success along the way. I can't seem to get any of my razors as sharp as in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM1V3Je4zUI

I have a solingen, which shaves the best so far with minimal pulling and a good close shave. It passes the hht test, but not with such ease as in the aforementioned video.

I also have an aerial (a.c.m.) which was blunt when I got it, but now has an edge thanks to my norton 4/8 and my bismarck strop, but it doesn't pass the hht test. I use small pyramids (1-3, 1-5) then strop 30x on the linen and 60x on the leather without improving the edge, but can't seem to get it shave ready yet. I've been working on it for a few days now. How can I get it "there"?

I also bought a Fromm 72R brand new, which was not even close to shave sharp. I have used the same techniques honing and stropping as I did with the other two, but can't get it to shave smoothly. Any suggestions from anyone with this same razor?

I think that I was lucky with the solingen straight because that was the first razor that I ever honed successfully, but I still think that it could be a little sharper. How much stock should I put in hht? I can't really discern the different levels of sharpness with the thumbpad test, although I can feel tiny serrations when they're there. When I get the edge smooth on the nail test and thumb pad test, I don't really know what the next step is. More honing on the 8k, or strop, strop, strop?

-John

BTW, love the site. It's been very helpful.

When you've got the edge where you think it's shave ready, but can't pass HHT off the hone, you can try stropping it and then try the HHT. Or try running the edge over your arm hairs 1-2 cm above the skin. If it catches hairs it's not quite good. If it clips them effortlessly, it might be there.

To lots of guys the HHT means nothing. Personally, I find it a very useful and telling test, but I use my wife's hair because mine is very fine.

X

Suppose It feels good with the thumb test, and I go ahead with stropping, but it still doesn't pass the hht. Do I strop some more, or go back to honing? If honing, should I do pyramids, or 8k only?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by misteredwino

Suppose It feels good with the thumb test, ...

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That's a very subjective statement and hard to answer at all. Check This if you haven't already.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by misteredwino

... and I go ahead with stropping, but it still doesn't pass the hht. Do I strop some more, or go back to honing?

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After about 50 laps on the strop, the edge is about as refined as it's going to be. You're really looking for HHT action off the hone, not the strop because I find a razor that pops hairs off the strop, may not shave well, but one which passes the HHT off the hone almost always will. Clean, dry hairs work best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by misteredwino

If honing, should I do pyramids, or 8k only?

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I always use a pyramid. 10/5 down to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 starting with some pressure and easing off to the end.

X

The only real test is the shave test.

That's helpful, thanks guys!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by poona

The only real test is the shave test.

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In my experience I have not found this to be true at all. The final test is the shave test, but there definately are other "real" tests that can effectively indicate relative levels of sharpness. If the only way that you can assess blade sharpness is to shave with the razor it will take you a long time to get razors shave ready because you can only realistically shave once a day.