Thread: What makes a razor pass the HHT?

The razor I have used to be able to pass the HHT just fine. After awhile the hair would not be cut immediately and I would have to move it back and forth along the blade to get it to cut.

Now, no matter what I do, my hair won't get cut. I only have a barber's hone, and a piece of balsa with Crox to sharpen my razor. The shaves so far are alright, but I feel like I'm not getting the most out of my razor.

I know I'll probably get a lot of responses telling my to ignore the HHT completely, but I can't help but feel like my razor just isn't as sharp as it once was.

My questions is, how can I get my razor back to HHT standards? Do I need to get some more hones?

It isn't as sharp as it once was...

To get it back it needs to get sharper again, that is done a few ways which you already metioned...

Strop
Pasted strop
Hones

In that order of need, if a leather /linen strop won't do it, then try a pasted strop, if that won't, then try a hone...

I've never had a razor pass the HHT. Not even razors honed by professionals, I dunno if it's just my hair or what. I wouldn't rely so much on a single test for sharpness. If it shaves fine, that's all the matters.

I've given it at least 20 laps on the barber's hone. I hope I haven't dulled it too much

Could I just keep working with the barber hone or do I need send it out to be rehoned?

Originally Posted by gull

I've given it at least 20 laps on the barber's hone. I hope I haven't dulled it too much

Could I just keep working with the barber hone or do I need send it out to be rehoned?

There is no way for me to honestly answer that, I can tell you that most Barber's hones are designed for only 5-10 laps at the most...
I you are using it with water or dry I would try soapy lather for 7 laps and see if that helps...

Glenn, I added a few extra passes today with lather and noticed no difference in the shave. I can't help but wonder if I should blame the hone or my honing.

The hone I'm using is called "Amalgamate" made in Boston. As you familiar with it?

I have not had one of those yet, hopefully Ron or Sham will read this, those two guys collect Barber's hones...
If the hone is a fine grit and obviously a Barber's hone then it is most likely your honing, the only problem that could be with the hone is if it is a knife grit and not a razor grit... That is doubtful...

Somebody could make large coin by selling certified hanging hair to be used for expert razor testing and shavability verification.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Somebody could make large coin by selling certified hanging hair to be used for expert razor testing and shavability verification.

I actually considered buying a human hair (ladies) wig for HHT. I went to the store and checked them out. They wanted $150.00 and I wasn't going for that so I just stick with my own ultra fine mop.

I remember in the Dovo Razor video that was on the science channel, they mention that the workers use a synthetic hair to check it. Maybe you'd have better luck buying that?