Blades scored low

[noahpictures]

I honed three razors (8/8, 6/8, 11/16 all different grinds) the exact same way. Stropped and only scored HHT3.
Not happy. Usually I get HHT4 or better. I re-honed all three using different stones. Stropped and scored HHT3 again.

It was late and I was tired but I needed to shave. I don't shave with HTT3 blades but I spent so much time honing these so I went with the 8/8 and surprisingly had a comfortable BBS.

Goes to show again that the ultimate test is shaving. HHT and other tests are only good if done correctly and I will continue to use them but false readings are possible if one is careless or inconsistent.

If you are new to honing, I recommend shaving with your edge and not pay too much attention to low HHT scores. You will know during the first stroke if the blade is truly shave ready. If the blade tugs and pulls it is easy to complete the shave with another razor.

 

[buca3152]

SHave test is the ultimate test. However I find that my best shavers come from blades that deliver hht4-5. I hit one off one of my jnats that was hht root in or out. That was my best shave to date. Smoothness is not addressed though with the hht.

 

[jpcwon]

I agree. In MOST cases I can tell if a razor will shave well based on the HHT, but not always. Some times I will get a low HHT and the razor is very smooth, so it goes to show you that you can't put too much stock in what the HHT is telling you. The real test is the shave test...

 

[rider4life]

I actually wish I could use the HHT to test my blades prior to shaving. My arm hair is fine and as I shave my head I don't have other hair I'm willing to pull out to use. HHT never works for me, testing my blades after honing is always a crapshoot. It is awesome though when the razor just glides down my cheeks with nary a tug or pull after I've honed it.

Cheers,

M.

 

[gumbo]

There's a reason that parlor tricks are parlor tricks, and it's because they are fun to watch.
HHT is just fun - is it the be all end all? Of course the shave test is as the function of the razor is shaving...
But I'll always do HHT because it's the suspense of seeing that hair pop or not.
Love me some HHT.

 

[Oscroft]

I've never tried HHT - don't expect I ever will.