Thread: Honing A Hart Steel Quarter Hollow Grind

I've been thinking about a Hart Steel straight, but have been concerned about honing it. I've never honed anything other than a full hollow grind. What do I need to know about honing a quarter hollow grind?

Not much really, 1/4 hollows and wedges are not that much different to hone, it's just a bit more work to set the bevel sometimes and the blade on Hart Steel is straight so you don't have to think of smiles and such.

The Hart razors are delivered shave ready, honed with one layer of tape. They come with a very nice edge and hold it very well so if you treat it well you will only need to refresh it once in a while.

Might be a bit more work since a heavier grind has more steel to remove but it is basically the same animal IME. I wouldn't worry about the grind. Same motions, just maybe more of them. Maybe not, depends on the condition of the bevel you're starting out with. With a brand new Hart, honed by the artisan that made it, you should be fine.

+1 with Zephyr - I purchase one of my Harts from him. He reset the bevel and it was shave ready when it arrived. Now I just touch up. The Harts come shave ready and I do mean ready. First shave out the box thereafter to the strop before shaving. I am a big fan of Hart Steels and they are easy to maintain. Since I am not a master honer I had my rotation professionally done. Half were finished on a Coticule and half on a Jnat. With my beard I prefer the Jnat. The are easy to maintain - One level of tape and a few touch up strokes on my finisher. I hope that helps.

The Harts that I've had experience with come shave ready, and sometimes people want to touch them up a bit. As well, IME, these razors are very easy to hone, and take/hold a wonderful edge.

I thought honing a 10/8 wedge was not something I could do but wanted to try. As stated by the experience folks, just a bit more work but basically the same motion.

Give it a try.