Thread: Hart Steel

I like my Hart 7/8 a lot. I'd pick it over Boker, Dovo any day. I also like TI. Hart razors look much better in person. They are easy to hone and make great daily shavers.

Originally Posted by rpaduano

I'll add a few questions to the discussion. For me the Hart ⅝ round point was my first straight, and the first one I've been using to learn the technique. I also have a Ralf Aust and a TI both in full hollow grind, but have not used them yet. I do find it hard to shave with the Hart. My skin irritate quickly, the burning sensation lasts a long time, not to speak about my neck area which is like combat zone. It got so bad that I've had to put it down and revert back to a DE to let things heal up. How am I supposed to gage the difference between a full hollow and a ¼ hollow grind? Is there a remarkable difference in feel? Although I need to shave every day, I do not have a very heavy beard growth, therefore, all things being equal, would a full hollow be more appropriate and feel better than my current experience? I think it's my technique, but I could be missing something, the skipping and tugging is not good, and in general, the razor burns as I shave, regardless of the cheeks or the neck. Angles plays a role, and I'm learning that, but could the grind not be suited?

As Chugach68 said, your razors may not be shave ready. a shave ready wedge, quarter hollow, will be as good as a shave ready full hollow. Shaving technique also is a big part of the equation and will enable a proficient shaver to overcome a razor that is not truly shave ready, but there is a world of difference if both the razor and the shaver are 'ready.'

Originally Posted by rpaduano

Yes, my thinking also. I do not think I have a true shave ready razor on my hands. I have all the stones and I will use the exercise to learn how to sharpen these tools.

If a person is learning to hone they are better off getting their 'good' razors professionally honed and picking up some vintage ebay or antique store razors to practice on. The razors needn't be expensive, that is optional, but they should be full bladed without uneven or excessive hone wear. The pro honed razors will give you something to guage your progress and a good shave while you're at it.

Originally Posted by Chugach68

You might try getting your Hart honed. I had to hone mine up when I got it. After I found what works for my Hart, it shaves effortlessly. No discomfort.

Mine came "ready to hone", regardless of any claim to the contrary by Hartsteel. I like the simple unadorned look but feel that I may have better spent that much money on something else.

For a minute Hart Steel seemed to be having some problems with their forging process (aside from the (not) "shave-ready" debate...). Some horror stories out there about the edge crumbling on the hones, and folks not being able to even set a bevel. That being said, Mine is a delight and I love it. Delivers consistently fantastic shaves. Like butta. Looks like a killing machine, shaves like a mother's caress. I couldn't say if it was shave ready or not when I got it...it came from Baxter of California and I just assumed it wasn't and it went straight to the hones.