Thread: Portland and Hart

Originally Posted by JOB15

My brother and I ( I hope that's good English?) have quite a few Hart blades.
Their customer service is excellent and their 01 steel can be brought to deadly level of sharpness.
Plus you can design your own to a certain extent..

I was reading a book - by the copy editor of the New York Times - who gave a good example of whether you are correct in using 'I' rather than 'me'. She suggested turning the phrase round - in which case you would never think of saying 'I and my brother', therefore you should use, 'my brother and me'.

Originally Posted by UKRob

I was reading a book - by the copy editor of the New York Times - who gave a good example of whether you are correct in using 'I' rather than 'me'. She suggested turning the phrase round - in which case you would never think of saying 'I and my brother', therefore you should use, 'my brother and me'.

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle

I own both a razor from Hart and Portland. The Portland came shave ready and has yet to be touched up after about 30 shaves. It holds it edge very well.
The Hart holds its edge very well too but did not come shave ready and was finicky when getting to a good edge. The steel is hard on both. Once I got the Hart shaving it quickly became one of my favorites as did the Portland. I enjoy the 1/4 hollow heavy blade but mostly in addition to the added weight they are well balanced and easy to maneuver.

If given the choice I would buy another Portland even though Hart recently was 50% off.

Originally Posted by JTmke

I own both a razor from Hart and Portland. The Portland came shave ready and has yet to be touched up after about 30 shaves. It holds it edge very well.
The Hart holds its edge very well too but did not come shave ready and was finicky when getting to a good edge. The steel is hard on both. Once I got the Hart shaving it quickly became one of my favorites as did the Portland. I enjoy the 1/4 hollow heavy blade but mostly in addition to the added weight they are well balanced and easy to maneuver.

If given the choice I would buy another Portland even though Hart recently was 50% off.

I must admit I prefer the look (admittedly online) of the Portlands, which one do you have?

I have a 7/8 hydra. I love me a Spanish point.



Here is the Hart 6/8 round point

Very nice indeed sir, is the Portland more of a mirror finish than the Hart?

I remember seeing from another member (Orville?) one issue on arrivla with his Portland, I think his was a Hydra, the tang was quite scratched up and the etchings obscured as a result, have you had any finish issues with yours?

They are both a satin finish. I received the Hart in need of honing though classic claimed shave ready. The Portland was a custom size at the time and I wanted more normal scales but was delivered these. Both a great shavers and I look forward to them. Both sets of scales leave something to be desired. I ended up sanding and sealing the Hart scales as there was very little if any finish. The Portland scales are finished but not to what you'd find on other makers razors.

Have owned both and currently still have the Hart. Both were roughly the same quality and shaved similarly. The Hart edge seemed to last longer and bevel was narrower. Hart feels more utilitarian, but I like the rugged simplicity.

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by BadB

I have a Portland Leviathan on order, so no firsthand experience with them yet. I am concerned that I will not like their thick tail, but we will see. Price point for the production razor was worth the risk imo.

I do have two Hart Steel razors from their custom line, no sure if that line is still made. The fit and finish is lacking on Hart razors when compared to other makers at a similar price point. The cocobolo scales are poorly finished (gain not filled in) on my 5/8 Rounded long tail shorty and the etching is inconsistent on the makers name. My square point thinned paddle tang has slightly better finish on the scales, but the company name is etched on the blade crooked. The makers name also suffers from inconsistent light to dark etching. I would not buy a third Hart Steel razor.

I have one of Brian Brown's semi-custom 7/8 razors on the way.

Theres a similar thread going on another shaving forum. You might want to poke around for it as well.

Good luck.

Have ordered the Hydra with walnut scales from PRC, I was sold on the personality of the company I think, and the look of the razors!