Thread: I need some help, please.

From what I have been able to understand from my short time on this site, the HHT is only an indication that the bevel is set and that the shave test is the one that matters.
At least that's what I got from Glens videos.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
BTW welcome to SRP

Originally Posted by Havachat45

From what I have been able to understand from my short time on this site, the HHT is only an indication that the bevel is set and that the shave test is the one that matters.
At least that's what I got from Glens videos.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
BTW welcome to SRP

I am by no means an expert for I have been str8 razor shaving 3 months. From my readings in this forum, the best test is the shave test (I could be mistaken, but it's from what I have read here in the forum). I read from other members where their razor would not "pass" the HHT, but they would have a great shave. By the way, I haven't ventured into honing yet, I am debating on doing my own honing or sending my razor to Lynn Abrams the Honemeister and pay him to do it. Having said that, I plan to get a second str8 so if one is out getting rehoned, I have one to use. Or I may get a deal on an used razor and not pay a lot for it and use that to practice honing. Right now I am focusing on my shaving and my stropping techniques.

I have used my GD to practice honing on and I seem to be getting better at it.
In the long run who cares if I stuff up a $3.99 razor?

We need to be explicit when talking about HHT success or failure. For the HHT does not necessarily mean that the blade cuts hair. It might, or it might not.

Imagine you were working in a factory filling plastic bags with nails, and were given the job to weigh nails dumped in a bin prior to dumping the nails in a bag. The scale on the weighing instrument has 10 graduated marks. You are told, "when the scale reads 7, the proper amount of nails are in the bin." But, what does "7" mean? Pounds, ounces, or some other weight measurement? Maybe, the "7" is measuring volume instead of weight?

What 7 means doesn't matter. "7" is the right "whatever", and that is what should be placed in the bag.

Similarly, with a straight razor that is truly, beyond doubt shave ready, when you apply the HHT it matters not in the least whether hair is cut, shaved, vibrated, or whatever behavior is exhibited. Whatever the behavior is for that hair when applied to a shave ready blade, that behavior constitutes successfully passing the HHT.

For some hair, passing the HHT means the hair is split the instant the blade contacts. For other hair, it might only vibrate the hair tip.

I will go further in saying that I believe that when properly understood and applied, the HHT is better than the shave test in some aspects. Especially in the ability to test every increment of the razor.