Milestone Razor - Hart Steel?

Howdy!
I'm new to straight razors (5 shaves in, only one cut, loving it!) and have the following razors: Gold Dollar 208 (6/8 - it was part of a great kit deal, don't judge) and a Gebr Lang 5/8 in wonderful condition (thanks Lakeside!).

I am graduating with my MBA next week and have received a VERY generous gift for the occasion. I am leaning heavily towards a Hart Steel razor personalized with my initials. I intend this to be a "rest of my life" razor and want to make sure I get something I will enjoy for the duration.

I feel that my current razors are a bit "light" and I think I would enjoy something more substantial. I've heard that the Hart razors fit this bill nicely and are of the highest quality. In leaning towards a 7/8 Satin Finish Square point with Cocobolo scales.

I know this might now be the best razor for a starter but I will grow into it as my technique develops (hopefully with minimal facial scarring!)

Thoughts? How do you like yours?

Thanks,
Josh

Those who like them are almost fanatical about them as you will see.

I have one and think it's a quality razor however I think for the asking price you can do better.

Josh, Bravo on the wallpaper. 'Hope it opens some doors for you.

Hart seems a fine razor. 'Honed 5 of them, and liked each. For alot of guys, they're 'silent shavers' (no audible or tactile feedback during a stroke - like a heavy grind Sheffield. I've had luck with adding 20 total inches of stropping on .5m diamond to give them at least a subdued voice, which seemed an improvement.

As for 'substantial', I also find a blade w/ some weight to be a pleasure. 'Doesn't have to be a heavy grind, but likely does have to have a heavy spine and shank. I recently handled my first Ralph Aust (sp). It fit the bill very well, and for alot less money. The hard steel heavy grinds have been a joy for me - Wacker, Henckels, *any* heavy grind from a Swedish maker. The Hart certainly deserves a place amongst these other blades.

'Hope you have some fun w/ whatever your get.

If you're looking for a "substantial" custom, I'd advise checking out our fellow Texan in Houston Bob Allman's OCD razors, or fellow forum member Bruno's work. Both gents make magnificent blades.

There are others as well. Look around before you make the move.

I don't own a Hart, never used one so I can't say how great they are. ALL of my razors are old, like me.

I'm in Cowtown too, shoot me a PM if you'd like and I'll be glad to visit with you.

I had Hart (sold it) and a Nate's Straights (Tim Zowada's son), and if I had to choose (which I did), I like the Nate's. If you're looking for a semi-custom/production, I'd take a look at that too. They're a little more though.
If you get into full custom then you have a lot of options.

I don't own a Hart, I shave with one for a while, I sold it, I like it but for the money you can get some other nice razors.
For ex Heljestrand 1/4 grind, I like much better than Hart.

It seems that the occasion is pretty important to you, and commemorating it with an off the shelf razor doesn't seem quite fitting. I'd say go for something commissioned from a top custom maker - the cost wouldn't be orders of magnitude higher, probably less than double, but you will get a piece that is truly 'bespoke' and not just a mass product with a unique sticker slapped on it.

If you want just another razor and not paying for intangibles, then strictly on shave quality you could get similar stuff and better for half the price and less.

Hart Steel makes one of the finest razors available if you are a fan of BIG STEEL. It's heavy, hand filling, and substantial. I've got a 7/8 square point (with cocobolo and/or maple and/or bocote scales) and rank it as one of my top 3 blades

I have the square point 7/8 and couldn't say one bad thing about it.

I have a few Harts and they are, as has been noted, heavy grinds, solid shavers and for me they have been easy to keep in top form.
Today's shave was a Hart 7/8 Square Point - Polished - Cocobolo - and wonderful.

And I also have a 7/8 Ralf Aust American Point - I call it the "Goldylocks Razor" - (not to heavy, not to hollow) If you like more feed-back but don't want to go to full hollow this would be something to consider.

To be honest this would be a tough (but great) choice to have to make.

We are now blessed/cursed with some great up and coming razor makers (Nate's Straits, OCD, Portland Razors, Snail Forge to name just a few) along with the more established (and sometimes more expensive) "Big Guns" (Zowanda, Williams, Harner, Sprecher, Lewis, Brown, Levi and there are many more)

As much as I like my Hart's, this may call for something special - with a little more time and maybe a few $ more invested.

You've spent years getting your MBA - its ok to take a while to pick the perfect razor to mark that milestone...think about what one semesters textbooks cost for perspective.

Congratulations! - Good Luck and Smooth Shaving...

Thanks all for your input! I've pretty much settles on the 7/8 Hart.

For future reference, per Classic Shaving engraving on the blade is not recommended and they suggested getting the scales engraved locally.

Will post a picture when I do get the razor.

Thanks,
Josh

Gentlemen,

Some shavers like Hart and some don't. I honed one Hart razor. It took a good edge and gave a good shave. But I promised myself not to ever look back.

Good stuff.

Which scales did you get with it? I'm itching to pick up the Purple Heart (I've got Maple right now)

Haven't ordered yet but I'm leaning towards Cocobolo. It's between that and Rosewood at this point.

I have a Hart 7/8, square point, satin finish, with Bocote scales. I have had it for a few years now and I love it. Looks good, hefty blade, holds an edge very well, and feels good in my had when shaving. You made a good choice. Below is the pic of mine when it arrived in mail.

It should be shave ready when you receive it, just give it a good stropping before using it.
Attachment 176258

I thought the same about the Harts ... Nice, but a bit overpriced, until I bought one. Now, I consider the price point to be about right ... speaking strictly as a shaver. It will outshave some of the big names around here.

I love mine, but the pivot system needs to be re-thought.

That said, you could do a lot worse, even at that price point!

Since it is such a special occasion razor I'd recommend the SRP Limited Edition by Robert Williams. He is down to the wire, closing in on the 200 limit. Something like a bit over two thirds spoken for. So all I'm saying is you can buy a generic Hart any day of the week, the SRP razor is only available for so long. Of course it won't be instant gratification, but it will be worth the wait IMHO.

If you do go with the Hart, I'd advise waiting until you're sure you're happy with it before engraving the scales. Just in case it turns out you ever want to sell it. Stranger things have happened IME. :gl:

Listen to what Jimmy says,he speaks the truth:)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Since it is such a special occasion razor I'd recommend the SRP Limited Edition by Robert Williams. He is down to the wire, closing in on the 200 limit. Something like a bit over two thirds spoken for. So all I'm saying is you can buy a generic Hart any day of the week, the SRP razor is only available for so long. Of course it won't be instant gratification, but it will be worth the wait IMHO.

If you do go with the Hart, I'd advise waiting until you're sure you're happy with it before engraving the scales. Just in case it turns out you ever want to sell it. Stranger things have happened IME. :gl:

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Thanks Jimmy. The good thing about the Hart scales is that they are very easily interchangeable. I'll take a look at the razor you mentioned.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Druid

but the pivot system needs to be re-thought.

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I really don't expect to have to tighten a pivot regularly on a razor, yet everytime i get one of these for honing that's what I have to do.
I dislike that design but the razors shave well.