Received a Hydra model with Mahogany scales for Christmas from my Dad. really impressed with the product. Came in a high end box with felt sleeve for the razor. It is really shave ready from the beginning.
Nice to own a modern, high quality, American made Razor!
I know that this thread has been quiet for some time now. Can I ask if anyone has a long term review of their razors? How well does it hold its edge? How easy is it to strop/hone? Any other ideas or comments? Is this a good razor for someone recently started or for someone with more experience?
I am thinking about my second razor (already) and I really like the looks and the first impressions I have read hear but I want something that will not only be cool when I get it, but will stay cool many months later.
Any ideas/input appreciated.
Thanks to all
Update here. A week or so after the above post I settled on a unique set of scale material I found on eBay ( Premium Acrylic Stabilized Double Dyed Maple Burl ). Scott is making a 13/16" Hydra for me, and double pinning the toe side of the scales so the pinning doesn't look so funky.Quote:
Originally Posted by wingdo
Hopefully I'll have it in early March and I am looking forward to adding this to the collection. Nice price point for an American built razor.
That's great wingdo! I can't wait to see it. I would like to see one with double pins at the wedge.Quote:
Originally Posted by wingdo
I just bumped into this thread. The blades intrigue me and I am tempted. However the scales have room for improvement. Sorry............The finish on the wood needs to be more attractive [ use a sealer and sand to a finer degree ] and the spacer [doesn't look like a proper wedge] should at least appear to be tapered. Please don't be discouraged, just improve the finish on the scales and center or double up on the pins at the wedge end. Good luck...........:gl:
I am happy to see that the PRC appear to be doing a good amount of business and have chosen to use thicker bar stock and thinned the tang also. Unfortunately I do not care for the design of the heel of the blade, the scales or the shape of the tail. I would like to see them come out with a more classically styled razor for an old stick in the mud like myself. Who knows maybe they will eventually have a model like that but in the meantime I hope they have continued success.
Bob
Well, a quick read of the linked blog post DOES mention that they do Custom work on request, and that they will be introducing an "Artisan line" of blades in the near future. Personally, I like the idea that I can spend $200.00 USD, and receive a high quality, hand made product, tweaked the way I want it, and delivered to my door.
I will grant that the "look" will put some buyers off, but I think it will appeal to others. As for the scales, from the pictures I have seen the finish quality HAS improved on more recent production razors, so I will wait and see what mine looks like when it gets here in about 8-10 weeks.
Looking forward to my Walnut scaled Hydra . . . ymmv
Like this one Glen did for meAttachment 193844Quote:
Originally Posted by engine46
I am hoping my Hydra looks that good. Double pinning the toe, as well.
I received an email from Scott a couple days ago letting me know that PRC has a new design. I don't think you are anywhere near the only one who doesn't care for the heel side, and it's been redesigned to be more "normal" or vintage like. Here's the blog post on their site with a list of the changes. Portland Razor Co. Blog It's the Feb 17th blog post.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
It was nice of Scott to ask me which version I wanted as the new blade seems much improved over the old and I am looking forward to it.
I, for one, liked the old design. But I'm in he minority on that one, clearly. The thicker bar stock, however, is a good thing.
This razor looks great! I love old traditional stuff like this and am seriously considering buying a straight razor myself but unfortunately this company doesn't yet supply to the UK :(
Send them an email. I think they do ship international on request.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pic
Thanks Andy. I'll definitely give that a go :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy77
Wanted to bring back an older thread insteas of start a new one...
These are nice looking razors, similar in my mind to a Hart. I like supporting American startups too!
Ahoy Folks. It has been a while since my last post but a recent acquisition from PRC has compelled me to throw in another positive word for their razors.
I got a Siren and have been very pleased with it. I wont go into design details because you already know its features. I just wanted to give a two thumbs up
to Scott, Hunter, and everyone else at PRC for doing what they do so well and at very reasonable prices. I suspect another one may be floating up in the
lagoon in the near future:)
They certainly are wonderful razors! I will certainly get another and would love to have a spalted maple scale on the next one when they get some great wood stock back in. The only thing I will request on the next razor is double pin the scales this go round. Not that the single pin on my current Kraken is in anyway not holding up, I just like the looks since I have seen a few with this added. I would love if the spalted scales not available to get a nice white/blonde buffalo horn scales on the next possibly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilligan
Great heavy well made feeling and balanced razor. Top notch business and yes, supporting an American business even if small for success!
For all you enthusiastic owners.....what's the lead time now?
and are they pinned or do they use those little hex screws?
Pinned and not sure on the wait time Harold.
Any further updates to Portland Razor Co to?
I'm in Australia and wouldn't mind purchasing one, as I find it is enticing to purchase a blade of quality from a start up business.
But there is a USD$35 shipping cost and should the item be flawed, return shipping would not make it a pleasant experience as this would account for around half the cost of the razor.
I just received my first razor from them this last week, a Phoenix in maple scales, and a review with several pictures will be coming, as soon as I can get some time (2 full-time jobs, plus redoing the first-floor of my house, from carpet to wood-look tile at the moment). I can tell you this much - it's a beautiful piece of hand-crafted beauty. It's the heaviest of my razors right now and also my best shaver - leaves a BBS finish every time with minimal effort. Their strop (which you get at a discount if you order both at the same time) is also very, very nice. I already have a second order with them for their Kamisori-style razor. The wait time right now is a little long - 12 weeks, but this is due to 2 things: the huge demand they suddenly obtained due to the craftmanship/quality of their product at, what I and many others consider to be, a bargain price for what you get. Secondly, Scott, the founder was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy, so was out of the workshop for a while - they notified all their customers right around Christmas on the website blog and always kept me updated on the wait time for my razor - a class act there. Luckily, he had already fully trained Hunter, who was able to keep up the production and fulfill orders, but obviously more slowly than if both of them were working. The great news is that Scott's newest testing shows him to be currently cancer-free and he is back at the workshop, so I expect their wait time to drop down again. I give them my highest support - the razor I received is truly beautiful and I can't believe the low price I paid for it considering the craftmanship involved. I can't imagine you would have to worry about any flaws or needing to return the razor - Scott and/or Hunter hand grind and polish each and every one, as well as the scales, and then hand-pin them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xxmadmaxx
Not sure. I can see that shipping would put a damper on things if they are not to your liking. But I have never really heard of many at all complaints from PRC by customers. The few I have seen are really quite trivial to me. I have been more than happy with mine and would buy again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xxmadmaxx
