Thread: Portland and Hart

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'.

It's not necessarily that simple. The pronoun 'I' is subjective: My mother and I had tea together; whereas the pronoun 'me' is objective: The tea was too hot for me. In the first example the pronoun forms the subject of the verb, so 'I' is correct, in the second he forms the object, so 'me' is correct.

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'.

No offense, but whatever book you read is wrong.

My brother and I (are the subject nouns of the sentence) where "have" is the verb and razors the word "razors" is the object. I is the subjective, me is the objective; therefore, "the teacher corrected my brother and me" would be right. My brother and I told her to buzz off" would also be correct....not nice, but correct.

This is a really bad discussion for us (not we) to have on a shaving forum.

Yours is the better explanation, and yes we should just stick to razors.

agreed, still friends!

Originally Posted by TomP30

Yours is the better explanation, and yes we should just stick to razors.

I love my Hart razors. I bought a second one to have both a round point and a straight point Hart. They hold their edges beautifully, each lasting for 4 or 5 months of solo use with basic stropping before needing a honing. I am a fan of the 1/4 grind and these, my Le Grelot and my 1/4 ground Wade & Butchers are the razors I would take to a desert island, assuming there was a way to make great soap there. The Harts are utilitarian, without quite the cosmetic perfection of some. The shaves I get from my Hart razors are sublime. I wouldn't part with mine.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

agreed, still friends!

Originally Posted by TomP30

Yours is the better explanation, and yes we should just stick to razors.

I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a side-track every now and then. By the way, the book is called 'Between You and Me' by Mary Norris - maybe you should take a look and see why she gives the advice I outlined.

Originally Posted by TomP30

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!

You will enjoy it immensely. I had the privilege of meeting the guys at Portland Razor Co. when I was in said city on business this past spring. Hard working folks and an excellent product all-around.

I think that comes across in everything I've read, people that love what they're doing and working hard to make a fantastic product, you have to support that (at least that's my excuse for buying a razor and a strop!), I just wish there was somebody here in the UK trying to revive - even just a small part of - what was such a great industry.

I have two Hart Steel 6/8 Western Kamisoris, both made by Bruce Gregory, and they have been great. With care, I only have to send them out once a year for honing. Having said that, I'm excited to try a Portland, so I can give you a proper comparison. In the meantime, my Hart experience has been thumbs up!

Originally Posted by JTmke

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.

You still need to pay a few bucks for them to put an amazing edge on there for you. Even though they have honed mine up for free once.
Several years ago I sent them 3 for honing . Two of them were a complete fail (bare in mind I had bread knifed the bevels off) the third was very special,, a top class Escher finish..