HHT: Does your hair always catch/cut/pop on the first try?

[The Don]

I know that performing the HHT is a learned skill in itself, so I pose this question to you all. When you're doing the HHT, do you sometimes have to make a few attempts to get the hair to catch on the blade? I strictly use my wife's ultra fine, blonde hair, and sometimes I'll need to introduce the hair to the edge 2 or 3 times before it actually cuts. The razor I tested today was a 5/8 full hollow, and as I ran the hair across the edge there was no sound - sometimes it would cut on the first try with very little noise of the hair popping. Other times I'd have to make a few attempts, but the hair would always cut with little audibility.

I feel like this is a fairly successful HHT for me, but I want to see what you all have to say. Does the need to sometimes make multiple attempts mean I don't have a great edge, or could it be that I'm still inexperienced at doing the test? My best guess is that I'm holding the hair out at roughly 30-40mm. Thanks guys.

 

[pmaster]

Usually if I have to make 2-3 attempts, I know the edge might be fine and give a good shave, but it most likely won't be result in being my new best-shaver.
Actually, most of my razors are shave-ready and many of them need 2-3 attempts before passing HHT, but all of these I intend to get back to the hone at some point and improve them beyond that point (I am hoping I can get them there?).

 

[JGKC9AYC]

My razor will silently pop a hair in a certain section of the blade, but won't do squat towards the toe & heel except shave arm hair.

 

[hillbilly]

I shoot for easy quit cutting the length of the edge. I want to be able to hole a length of hair out and just pop pop pop pop pop pop heel to toe till I reach my fingers. Then toe to heal. I can predict a good shave then. Shave is real test. I Tweak after shaving.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

If you hold the hair by the root, it will pop easier than if you hold it by the tip. (or vise versa - it's old age, I can never remember!)
It has to do with the direction of the cuticle. In one direction, the cuticle actually pulls the razor into the hair, making it easier to cut.

Top = normal Bottom = damaged

 

[ANeat]

Try the HHT on a new DE blade to get a feel for the technique. Its a great way to get a "benchmark" for the test.

Not all hairs are the same and some are tougher to get a good "test" with.

Root in or out, hair moistened or not.

A good article on the Coticule site about the HHT http://www.coticule.be/hanging-hair-test.html

 

[Seraphim]

You have to calibrate the HHT for YOU. If you get a certain HHT result reliably, and then experience the shave afterwards you will quickly learn what type of HHT result will (usually) result in a certain shave result.

Not 100%, of course, but I never waste a shave on an edge that didn't meet up to my HHT.

My HHT is attached.

 

[inspiringK]

I shoot for easy quit cutting the length of the edge. I want to be able to hole a length of hair out and just pop pop pop pop pop pop heel to toe till I reach my fingers. Then toe to heal. I can predict a good shave then. Shave is real test. I Tweak after shaving.

+1.

Sometimes it take me one or two attempts to get the angles right before I see the first pop, but after that I usually pop, pop, pop on about 6 different parts of the blade from heel to toe and vice versa until I have popped through the whole length of hair. And then, then I shave!

 

[Doc226]

You have to calibrate the HHT for YOU. If you get a certain HHT result reliably, and then experience the shave afterwards you will quickly learn what type of HHT result will (usually) result in a certain shave result.

Not 100%, of course, but I never waste a shave on an edge that didn't meet up to my HHT.

My HHT is attached.

Agree 100%

Here is the BEST HHT I have ever gotten, it was a blade I honed for Wid
<br>

 

[shaverjoe]

Agree 100%

Here is the BEST HHT I have ever gotten, it was a blade I honed for Wid

Show off

 

[Doc226]

Show off

LOL, I originally linked the wrong vid.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

Show off

Holy cow! Now that's what I call MOJO!!!!

 

[life2short1971]

I hold the hair so about 4 cm are sticking out and the hair should slice easily at 1-2cm from your your fingertips. If the hair is especially fine a bit closer. This means lay the hair on the bevel and apply the motion to slice it calmly. If your dropping the hair on it like your beating a drum that is not a successful test.

 

[Thomas Martin]

Agree 100%

Here is the BEST HHT I have ever gotten, it was a blade I honed for Wid
<br>

Doc, it appears to me on that movie that you hold the hair pretty close to where you cut it. I always try at at least 1cm away from the holding point. It pops easier when I do it closer to my fingers. Perhaps I was doing it wrong all along and that would explain some of my difficulties at getting a consistent result.

edit: after a second look at the vid I realize that it may be a false impression due to the angle at which the movie was recorded. It's pretty impressive how the hair just falls of without seeming to offer the least resistance.

 

[Doc226]

Doc, it appears to me on that movie that you hold the hair pretty close to where you cut it. I always try at at least 1cm away from the holding point. It pops easier when I do it closer to my fingers. Perhaps I was doing it wrong all along and that would explain some of my difficulties at getting a consistent result.

edit: after a second look at the vid I realize that it may be a false impression due to the angle at which the movie was recorded. It's pretty impressive how the hair just falls of without seeming to offer the least resistance.

I try for a 1 cm distance as well. I slightly turn the edge aways from my finger, cant really see that on the movie.

I don't think it matters much how the test is done as long as it is done the same everytime and with time you correlate the results with teh shave off the stone.

I can get the same results with synthetics but the shave is not as good for me.

 

[JGKC9AYC]

I think I wanna move to RI & see if I could get an apprentice position.
What's the cost of living up there? I can retire the end of this year if I want.

 

[Seraphim]

Rhode Island is a little known paradise!

Sure, the Hawaiian islands get all the press, but the most fabulous island is really the island of Rhode....

 

[Wid]

That was a good shaving razor Doc.

 

[Doc226]

Rhode Island is a little known paradise!

Sure, the Hawaiian islands get all the press, but the most fabulous island is really the island of Rhode....

LOL, sure, sure. We are really just a suburb of Mass

That was a good shaving razor Doc.

Glad it was.

 

[Brooksie967]

Doc, those are hella thick hairs you're using there!!