Thread: Portland and Hart

I thought I would followup on my earlier post in regards to the Brian Brown Razor Works semi-custom razor. She arrived, 7/8 square point 1/4 hollow, and was indeed shave ready. Fit and finish were very good. The surprising thing was this 1/4 hollow shaved much more like a full hollow. I am very happy overall, the one minor complaint I have, and its my fault for not checking, is the jimps on the bottom of the tang/shank don't go all the way across, they are just edge cuts. That issue is minor and its really a personal preference thing.

I am still waiting on my Portland razor, but I am hopeful after reading all the positive reviews on this thread.

Originally Posted by BadB

I thought I would followup on my earlier post in regards to the Brian Brown Razor Works semi-custom razor. She arrived, 7/8 square point 1/4 hollow, and was indeed shave ready. Fit and finish were very good. The surprising thing was this 1/4 hollow shaved much more like a full hollow. I am very happy overall, the one minor complaint I have, and its my fault for not checking, is the jimps on the bottom of the tang/shank don't go all the way across, they are just edge cuts. That issue is minor and its really a personal preference thing.

I am still waiting on my Portland razor, but I am hopeful after reading all the positive reviews on this thread.

I'll be interested to see how one from their Classic line up compares with your more bespoke razors, you'll have to do an in-depth review!

I have both (9) Harts and (10) PRC razors (I got multiple order discounts please don't judge lol). I love both yes I am having some issues with honing them both in another thread but the issue is me not the blades. When they are dialed in they shave wonderfully! I have had great customer service from both company's too. I would like to mention I have at least one of each design updated razor PRC has made, they have improved their design at least 3 times that I am aware of and again each one shaves very well. Here are some of the Harts and PRC razors I have.

Originally Posted by dshaves

I have both (9) Harts and (10) PRC razors (I got multiple order discounts please don't judge lol). I love both yes I am having some issues with honing them both in another thread but the issue is me not the blades. When they are dialed in they shave wonderfully! I have had great customer service from both company's too. I would like to mention I have at least one of each design updated razor PRC has made, they have improved their design at least 3 times that I am aware of and again each one shaves very well. Here are some of the Harts and PRC razors I have.

I am judging....

I want to eventually find an original PRC (my order was between versions, and they asked if I wanted the new grind, which I did), but now I want an original as well. Love the lines on them, especially the heel.

Originally Posted by Denvernoob

I am judging....

I want to eventually find an original PRC (my order was between versions, and they asked if I wanted the new grind, which I did), but now I want an original as well. Love the lines on them, especially the heel.

LOL here are the other OG's

Originally Posted by BadB

I thought I would followup on my earlier post in regards to the Brian Brown Razor Works semi-custom razor. She arrived, 7/8 square point 1/4 hollow, and was indeed shave ready. Fit and finish were very good. The surprising thing was this 1/4 hollow shaved much more like a full hollow. I am very happy overall, the one minor complaint I have, and its my fault for not checking, is the jimps on the bottom of the tang/shank don't go all the way across, they are just edge cuts. That issue is minor and its really a personal preference thing.

I am still waiting on my Portland razor, but I am hopeful after reading all the positive reviews on this thread.

I have use all three and prefer the Brian Brown. Much thinner grind. Harts were nice but wont buy them anymore since the Blades Grim bought them out. PRC was ok but their just did not have the balance I like. Great compny to deal with though

Greetings everyone.
Well, got the same choise here: to bid for some old stock Hart Steel on eBay or get new Oregon.
It's strange, but I can't get new HS from classic shaving: paid for 7/8 round tip blade, but never got it, nor got any reply from their customer service, so had to open PP dispute to return money.
Anyway, I like my first 5/8 HS blade, but after almost 2 years, it's time to try wider blade.
So, there's a choice: get a 7/8 from eBay (auction), or try new Oregon?

Here is Portland Razor Co., "The Kraken," 6/8 French point 1/4 hollow with their upgraded Walnut scales. I thought the fit and finish was very well executed on all the metalwork. The cleft on the spine is a nice touch. The top jimps and bottom jimps are offset. The tops ones are in front of the shoulder and the bottom ones are in the traditional place on the shank/tang. The jimps also have the black antiquing filling in the cuts providing a nice contrast with the brushed metal finish. The brushed finish is also consistent throughout the entire razor.

The only other 1/4 hollows I have to compare The Kraken with are two hart customs and a BB Razor Works 7/8, 1/4 hollow. My Harts are heavier and shave silently, whereas the BB Razor Works shaves like a full hollow and does sing a bit. The Kraken falls in the middle, lighter than the Harts and provides a bit more tactile and audible feedback, but not as much as the BB Razor Works blade. PRC did come shave ready, but I did reset the bevel and finished on my Jnat, because I don't use tape and prefer a Jnat edge.

In terms of overall quality, the Brian Brown Razor Works comes in first for me, PCR second and Hart Steel last. Given PRC prices I think they offer a great value, the quality is consistent and it comes shave ready. Brian Brown's Razor Works has a nicer mirror finish (more a personal preference thing) and his grind is exceptional for a 1/4 hollow, but the price point is higher. I think I have already pointed out the negatives on my two Hart Customs, so I wont revisit that.

I thought I would add PRC did take about 4 weeks to build to my order, BBRW about a week and a half, but the extra week was due to Brian's vacation.

I hope that helps.

Oh, here's the new look for my BBRW 7/8 1/4 hollow. Ghost Jade g10 was well done, but too modern and high tech for my tastes...so I had Alfredo rescale her in Briarwood with his take on a traditional W&B style scale, silver pins and washers also add a nice classy touch imo.

Originally Posted by morte

Greetings everyone.
Well, got the same choise here: to bid for some old stock Hart Steel on eBay or get new Oregon.
It's strange, but I can't get new HS from classic shaving: paid for 7/8 round tip blade, but never got it, nor got any reply from their customer service, so had to open PP dispute to return money.
Anyway, I like my first 5/8 HS blade, but after almost 2 years, it's time to try wider blade.
So, there's a choice: get a 7/8 from eBay (auction), or try new Oregon?

I own both Hart and PRC and would go with the PRC... Those BBRW razors look really nice too.