New considerations on the pendant drop method, which include a thorough analysis of the detachment conditions, are presented in this paper. It is shown that Harkins’ empirical correction factor F can be derived from a momentum balance written just before release. The geometrical parameters to be used in the calculation are obtained via a numerical simulation of the shape of the pendant drop. The agreement with the tabulated values coming from our experimental data on refractory metals is remarkable. Finally, the consequences in terms of accuracy of surface tension measurements are discussed.