Is HHT the Be All and End All Edge Evaluation?

[Acmemfg]

This will sound totally dumb, but.....

Using razors that I KNOW have a sick sharp edge, fresh hone jobs by members here who are widely regarded as expert Honemeisters (you would all know who they are), why am I unable to do that HHT test? I don't sweat it too much because "The proof is in the pudding" as the proverb goes. But while trying to learn the honing game, I am cranking out edges that are affording a pretty decent shave, (hence the no worries on this one) that will pop arm hairs like mad but will not do the HHT thing. I know (thanks to the aforementioned anonymous honing pros) what a good edge should feel like, but am puzzled as to why I can't get the HHT drill down. One thing I did accomplish is to successfully perform the "HHT6" test one time, basically taking the corner of my left index finger clean off a while back. Great edge there; never really felt the cut until a couple seconds after I saw a good-sized chunk of finger flesh and nail on the countertop. Made me feel comfortable to know that even after doing Plavix for about 7 years, I was able to get things under control with a styptic pencil...now THAT smarted!!

So basically I'm just using the "thumb pad" test as demonstrated by Lynn Adams and relying on the "if it is a good shave it is a good edge" philosophy for edge evaluation. But truth be known I sure would like to get that HTT to work.

 

[jrp316]

The shave test is the best test of a razor's edge. It'll let you know at once whether the edge is truly shave ready and if the edge needs further attention at points along its length.

Most of your edge testing prior to the shave should be during the bevel setting stage. I use the arm hair shave test in lieu of the HHT, as my hair is rather curly and doesn't want to cooperate with the HHT. I'll also use the thumb pad test while I'm setting bevel if I'm not popping arm hair well enough yet to see how close I am. Once the edge is popping arm hair very easily off of 1k (15/12 micron), I start honing upward. Think barely touching the arm hair and having it pop off the edge.

 

[jpcwon]

The thing with the HHT is that it has to be "calibrated" to whatever hair you're using. Everyone's hair is different, and as such will react differently when presented with a razor sharp edge. In most cases, a good HHT WILL coincide with a good shave, but not always. For instance, I cannot get a successful HHT with my wife's hair, but my hair passes on the same blade no problem. So it depends greatly on which kind of hair you're using (thick vs thin, etc...).

 

[pmaster]

When you test the HHT, it makes a difference whether the root of the hair is in or out, one way is much easier to pass HHT than the other. Also, do you strop the edge before testing HHT or do you do it right off the hones? If right-off the hones, that might be your problem as there will probably be still some residue from the hones left on it.

 

[Brooksie967]

I use the hht for one simple thing: to verify my stropping has indeed improved the edge.

 

[MWS]

Never been able to use it. As mentioned, TPT and shave test works for me.

 

[Raithskar]

Shave test is the end all. I have my HHT calibrated as JP mentioned. Most of the time I know what kind of shave I am going to get based on HHT results. The way I use it, there has to be a certain way the edge severs the hair, if it does not then I go back to the hone. I admit I am VERY particular about my edges.

When executed properly it is an excellent indicator of how the shave should usually be.

 

[oakeshott]

An HHT pass after a hone is no guarantee of a good shave, but if it doesn't pass, then it's a guarantee of a bad shave (ime). In other words, it's a necessary but not sufficient condition.

 

[MarkO]

Hey all,

I have had shaves with edges that pass HHT5 with flying colours and had shave nice shaves and also times where it has not been as smooth. I have also had edges with a so so HHT but the shave has been magical.

So its like everyone says, the shave test is the 'real' test

Markl

 

[Doc226]

I can get edges to pass the HHT with my three year old's thin hair, root in and out.

To me it's a go/no go test. If an edge fails my HHT I will not shave with it.

I have read folks talking about great shaves with edges that fail the HHT. For me that has never happened.

The HHT needs to be calibrated to the shave, the ultimate test is the shave.

 

[Gamma]

I dont use it.

 

[oakeshott]

I dont use it.

What do you use?

 

[Gamma]

I don't test finished edges.

 

[Brooksie967]

I don't test finished edges.

Right.

 

[Thomas Martin]

I don't give too much credit to the HHT neither. I shaved with HHT 0 edges from a coti and got a good and smooth shave and had terrible shaves from HHT4 edges. I also found that my hair reacts differently each time depending on when it was washed, which shampoo was used and wether I used conditioner or not and the temperature and humidity of the air. It is almost impossible to "calibrate" the test since all these influencing factors can hardly be standartized and reproduced each time.
I have honing procedures that are more or less foolproof for me. The spyderco progression for instance, once the bevel is set and the edge shaves my arm hair gives me perfect edges without having to test them. But when I use a new honing method, I use the HHT to give me an idea of the keeness of the edge before moving to the shave test.

 

[Kentos]

On my own edges a passing HHT will guarantee a great shave.

 

[Obiwan]

For me, I use the HHT to validate my feeling that the edge is ready to shave with. As you will tell by the comments above (and even more so if you search within prior threads), the HHT is a personal preference thing. At the end of the day, it's all what works for you. Part of the fun IMO is trying all the different methods and finsing your own.

 

[Doc226]

HHT is crap. Period. Shave with it. I've rehoned many razors that the person used a HHT on, the user got it and the shave was horrible.

All this calibration and jibberiish. With enough manipulation you can fool yourself into believing anything.

HHT is crap for YOU.

 

[Slash McCoy]

All edge evaluation methods devised so far, that are reasonably convenient to implement, are very subjective. They are all useful relative to your own previous results but difficult to quantify in relation to other folks' results. The best test of course is the shave test. But it is only of significant value to you, the owner of the face shaved.

My favorite test short of actually shaving I call the FOFT, or Floating Over the FOrearm Test. I wave the razor 1/4" over my forearm and my results are by how many hairs are treetopped, how loudly they pinged, how much tug I felt, etc. The only problem is my forearms sometimes look like they have been to the barber shop LOL! So then I go with the FOCT or FOBT. (floating over Chest or Belly, respectively) but stand off about 3/8".

It is all relative. Find your own favorite edge test and use that. Don't try to compare internet edges LOL!

 

[Loner16]

I generally use the FOPT .. or Float Over PUBES Test as the ultimate arbiter. But, be very careful, as this is the test Lorena Bobbitt performed on her husband!