HHT before and after stropping

Hey.

This may be an obvious question but I have to ask. If arazor passes the HHT before stropping, should it do it afterward as well or has the edge been "smoothed" so that it may be a bit duller? I'm trying to figure out if my stropping technique still needs refinement or if this is normal

Are you asking if you are dulling your razors with your stropping technique?
A shave test should tell you that.

Mine always pass the HHT better after stropping.

With razors that are starting to pull a little while shaving, I use the HHT along its length to tell (among other things) if the dulling is relatively even. Or, whether there is a region or two that is significantly duller. If the latter, then my stropping might be a problem, and/or there is something on the strop that is dulling the blade.

huntmol said:

Are you asking if you are dulling your razors with your stropping technique?
A shave test should tell you that.

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Well, I can feel that it's not as sharp as I know it can be. I was just trying to figure out if this was a problem with the edge already before the stropping.

mikromicke said:

...I was just trying to figure out if this was a problem with the edge already before the stropping.

Click to expand...

I know the majority opinion is somewhat dubious of the value of the HHT. Nonetheless, I think that if you invest the time required to perfect its use, you will be very glad you did.

I went back and looked over my stropping technique again and started over very slowly and carefully. Got the razor to pass the HHT test after stropping now so I guess I should keep practicing that stropping technique

I don't even bother trying the HHT before stropping. Edges coming off Eschers (for me) can't pass at any level reliably. After stropping they silent fall perfectly.

I rarely have a razor pass the HHT prior to stropping... Sometimes it works off the 12k, but my hair is usually too fine for that... However, I use the HHT during stropping to determine if the edge needs a little more stropping, maybe a stropping paste, or if it's ready to shave...