Hht

[BakerAndBadger]

Hi
i keep seeing references to HHT and then a number to categorise the measurement. What are and how do you judge the different levels of HHT?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Doc226]

I believe the best explanation is HERE

It takes time to calibrate your results to your shaves to your stones.

For example, I know I'll get a good shave is I get a HHT 4 or 5 from my JNATs. I may get a razor from someone else honed on a different stone and with the same HHT result I may not like the shave.

IMO-the HHT is great to let you know the razor is sharp enough to shave with but says absolutely nothing about the shave itself. I am to the point where I will NOT shave with a razor that does not pass MY HHT. I have read about gents getting great shaves with razors that fail to pass the HHT. I would love to try one of these razors to both check with my HHT and then try to shave with it. My theory is that the razor giving these great shaves would indeed pass MY HHT.

The HHT may not work with everyone's hair but I'm lucky my wife's hair is perfect.

 

[Doc226]

Here is a video of how I do the HHT. You will see some folks wildly swing the hair into the blade. IMO the hair should be brought down and slowly dragged across the blade. Pretend you are trying to play the violin with the hair being the bow and the edge the violin strings.

 

[Legion]

Yes, to get value from it you need to standardise the test as much as possible. Then you can use it to measure one of your blades against another of your blades. It is just a tool, an indicator. But it can be useful once you get it dialled in.

 

[Slash McCoy]

The HHT may not work with everyone's hair but I'm lucky my wife's hair is perfect.

Something to consider, before getting married. Get a hair sample before you buy that ring.

 

[Mike H]

Here is a good explanation

http://coticule.be/hanging-hair-test.html

edit: I see that I missed doc already referenced it.

 

[paco664]

Something to consider, before getting married. Get a hair sample before you buy that ring.

This!.....

 

[Doc226]

Something to consider, before getting married. Get a hair sample before you buy that ring.

Yep, the rest of my wife is good too.

This!.....

But not only this

 

[Giant Kiwi]

careful Doc you might be paying your wife a compliment soon

 

[Doc226]

careful Doc you might be paying your wife a compliment soon

Everyday, she is wonderful. I am truly a lucky guy.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

Good on ya mate, I'm still newly married so no disparaging wife comments from me.

 

[Doc226]

Good on ya mate, I'm still newly married so no disparaging wife comments from me.

Congratulations.

 

[ladykate]

I have a cream Golden Retriever that has perfect hair for my HHT.

Like all have said, it is a relative check. Whacking the hair across the razor isn't a good, or safe, method. The razor should catch the hair and trim it. Unfortunately, even that method doesn't 'standardize' the test.

I've purchased razors that claim to have passed the HHT and they wouldn't pass mine - nor would they shave to my satisfaction. As always... YMMV

 

[Kentos]

Like any other skill, it takes time to master.

Some consider it a parlor trick so YMMV.

It is indispensable to me.

 

[linguist]

i don't think HHT is relative. if the razor sharp enough, it passes HHT with any type of hair including the thinnest hair with both ends without applying any force. I love HHT

 

[Danricgro]

i don't think HHT is relative. if the razor sharp enough, it passes HHT with any type of hair including the thinnest hair with both ends without applying any force. I love HHT

Gotta disagree with you on that. A feather DE blade has a very tough time passing the HHT when using my stepdaughter's hair. It's about fifty fifty. Never heard anyone say a Feather blade is not sharp enough.

 

[linguist]

Gotta disagree with you on that. A feather DE blade has a very tough time passing the HHT when using my stepdaughter's hair. It's about fifty fifty. Never heard anyone say a Feather blade is not sharp enough.

i make the same test with the same hair with feather blade. it passes HHT4 nothing more. but straight razor is sharper than feather. maybe feather feels sharp on the shave but consider the blade itself is coated and very thin comparing to straights. anyway it's my 2 cents.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

I have some blades that wont pass the hht but give me a great shave.

that's my €0.02

 

[kelebekcc]

DE blades are made from rolled sheet metal which is very thin, pricking already and sharpening with machine. Straight razor is heavier and thicker. This is one of reason why we are get most close and comfortable shave from a straight razor. Also with stropping straight razor edge is coming on the correct place and correct shape. I mean stropped edge can pass HHT better. You can make a straight edge easily pass HHT with Crox which is not throughly honed but still you will not get a great shave. Maybe even can't shave. I can't say HHT is nothing. But blade must be throughly honed first. No scratch bevel etc... With shave test we can't see another thing than exact results.

 

[Doc226]

I have some blades that wont pass the hht but give me a great shave.

that's my €0.02

I wish you were local, I always wanted to try one these blades. For me a razor that does not pass MY HHT is a terrible shaver.