Thread: Recent Hart acquisitions

I've read some negative things recently about newer Harts. I've bought two over the past couple months and thought I would share my thoughts. Both are satin 6/8ths one round the other a square point blade.

First impression was very positive. Nothing fancy just a well done honest industrial razor. Solid and chunky. If the military still issued straights I could see this being GI.

The edge did not initially encourage me. Did not pass my HHT and I didn't expect much.

The shave itself was a revelation. I have never received a razor from the manufacturer that I found satisfactory. I have of course gotten some from honemeisters that were fine, but never one from the factory. First time I had no impulse or reason to fine tune such a blade. This was true of both of them. As good a razor as I have ever encountered.

My only regret is that I paid $100 for each of them from a vendor who advertised deep discount. Had I paid $200 or even more I would have been very satisfied. Feel a little guilty that I got two such great razors at such a price. Hope Hart is not struggling. I have an impulse to send a check for $200 directly to them but have so far successfully resisted it

Well count yourself as lucky. The recent comments are based on the experiences of quite a number of folks who have recently bought them.

I have one a bought several years ago and I thought it was a fine shaver just overpriced for what you got.

Eventually I wanna throw Portland Razor Company some money, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet because my two Hart Kamis have been going strong for over two years now. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them and they both will hold an edge for seven to eight months with regular stropping. My Harts are definitely gonna be with me for the long haul.

I have one older Hart (polished french point) and it is a great razor. Holds an edge for a verrrry long time.

pcb01 your thoughts on your current Harts is interesting. You did not say where you got them. We know that when the Sandpoint Idaho mob bought out Classic Shaving they acquired some Hart inventory that were trash and I believe ultimately they were pedaled the bay. They still show a large selection of Hart steel razors. I have no idea where these may be made but we have had some complaints about workmanship and shaving.

Smallflower has a large inventory of very overpriced Hart razors and they carry the same spiel as Classic Shaving does. I do not know who owns Sunflower.

AFAIK Baxterofcalifornia still has some of the "Blue Steel "Not a Replica" Harts which may have been made back in the day with Hart Steel.

I do know that in the beginning with Hart Steel razors they were a well made, almost industrial, serious razor and were great shavers and I believe there was more than one craftsman with Hart at that time. As I remember one of straight razor's most talented craftsman gave Hart some tips on the production side.