Thread: Has anybody heard anything more about Hart razors?

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've got a 2001 E250 Ford van that I bought new. Still runs good and I'm hoping it's the last vehicle I ever need to buy. Not that I'm in a hurry to go but I bought it hoping it would out live me.

I'm in mini-van hell. Just hope I outlive my Sienna so I can get a real car again. Dang car-seat laws.

Originally Posted by mparker762

If 14 degrees doesn't allow them enough margin for their manufacturing tolerances, then 14 degrees is too low. Secondly, one of the razors whose edge failed prematurely had a 14.2 degree angle.

This is a great point. When something is designed tolerances should be considered. For example, if you design a bridge to hold 15 tons, and it has a variance of +/- 2 tons, sure it might hold 17 tons, but would you put up a sign saying it holds 15 tons? What if the tolerance were under? What if 15 tons of vehicle loaded a bridge that was spec'd at 15 tons but truly 14.2? Splash? Typically in design the reported value is lower than the spec'd value minus the tolerance (in the bridge example the loading is 15 +/- 2, so 13 - 17 tons, so the sign they put up should be say, 12.5 ton limit... this way they know no matter what, even if they are wrong, the bridge won't fail...)

Originally Posted by richmondesi

I fail to understand why we should support an American product that we may feel is overpriced (based on features). I don't buy American cars that don't represent a good value. So, why should I buy a razor that doesn't IMO? I don't like the idea of preventing the free flow of products into the US either because I don't like the idea of paying a higher price because something was made/grown in the US. Notice that no one is saying that it isn't good.

I know where you guys are coming from when you say that if you don't own one you can't say anything about the value of it, but that's illogical. If they charged $10,000 for it, would you still make the argument? Obviously, that's an absurd example, but it illustrates the point. You can make a value judgment on something you don't own. You do it all of the time when making purchases in every facet of life. Does this make sense? If not, there's no reason for either side to continue to discuss this. It's silly for you guys to say the same thing repeatedly only to have us retort the same tired stuff that we've already said repeatedly.

I think my man hit the nail on the head here. Very well said IMO. I think it all comes down to personal valuation of a product that we would look at to buy. How many of us are put off of a product because someone we know has one and hasn't had great success with it? At the same time how many of us have bought a product based on the praise of one person who we personally know? Sorry, but I cannot believe that you don't shop or value products this way Jimmy. We all do to a degree. Whether we post about it or not doesn't really matter. Is Hart getting better? I'm sure they are trying to. Will we continue to see different opinions on the quality and value of their product? I find it impossible to believe that we won't.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

These designer jeans are apparently worth the money to someone as people keep buying them. The same with the Hart razor. Of those who have bought them it seems that more are satisfied with their purchase than not.

Designer jeans command a high price because they are fashionable. You pay for the design. Carhardt and other working pants, you pay a little extra for the toughness (my Carhardt Carpenter's are still going strong after a year... working in auto shops, back rooms, on the farm, around the yard...).

So one could argue this commands a high price for what? Where are the snakewood scales? The gold wash? So no fashion.... so the high price has to come from the shave. Oh wait. I can get a great shave off of a $70 Dovo Best...

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I think my man hit the nail on the head here. Very well said IMO. I think it all comes down to personal valuation of a product that we would look at to buy. How many of us are put off of a product because someone we know has one and hasn't had great success with it? At the same time how many of us have bought a product based on the praise of one person who we personally know? Sorry, but I cannot believe that you don't shop or value products this way Jimmy. We all do to a degree. Whether we post about it or not doesn't really matter. Is Hart getting better? I'm sure they are trying to. Will we continue to see different opinions on the quality and value of their product? I find it impossible to believe that we won't.

I think Philadelph's point, and Rich's point that he quoted, combined, sum up all of my points far more elegantly than I ever could and thank you both.

I figured out a solution.

I mentioned to my wife that there was a new American production razor out. She asked if I wanted one. I said yes and gave her Classic Shaving's number.

Problem solved.

I don't (personally) spend that kind of money on this razor. I still get a Hart Razor. "I had no choice. It was a gift!"

Originally Posted by Pyment

I figured out a solution.

I mentioned to my wife that there was a new American production razor out. She asked if I wanted one. I said yes and gave her Classic Shaving's number.

Problem solved.

I don't (personally) spend that kind of money on this razor. I still get a Hart Razor. "I had no choice. It was a gift!"

now this is how you rationalize something

It's called "RAD by proxy".

I am not one of those who has to have the last word in an argument, calling this what it seems to have become. My use of designer jeans as an analogy was in response to another poster using a Lexus to illustrate something that is overpriced in his opinion.

A Rolex wrist watch may be the cat's whiskers but it ain't worth the price to me nor is a pair of designer jeans. Fashion is not my thing. If it is worth it to someone else who am I to criticize them ? So I don't criticize Rolex for charging what they do or you If you think it is worth it and buy it.

I don't own a Hart ..... yet..... therefore I cannot offer an opinion on whether it is worth the price of admission, a good design or a poor one. My only point was that there are a lot of posts by people critical of something that they haven't had hands on experience with. I am in the don't knock it until you've tried it mode here.

As far as the design of the Hart I appreciate mparker762 pointing out a perceived design flaw since he paid for the privilege and is a knowledgeable man on the finer points of straight razor design.

Tim Zowada responded with a lengthy and thoughtful post that IIRC said that they will take a look at it and correct it and if you've got one that isn't 'right' they will replace it with one that is.

Why people who haven't paid money for the thing are beating this dead horse is a mystery to me. I am sure that some of the fellows that need to have the last word will do so but I've said all I have to say on this topic.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've got a 2001 E250 Ford van that I bought new. Still runs good and I'm hoping it's the last vehicle I ever need to buy. Not that I'm in a hurry to go but I bought it hoping it would out live me.

Jimmy,

I bought an F-150 new in '87 and drove it a trouble free 330,000 miles until it rusted out from under me. I gave it to my uncle to use on the farm - which he did until he died - a wonderful truck. I replaced it with a '99 Chevy which now has 160,000 on it, also trouble free (the Chevy is so much more driver friendly than the old Ford - power windows and power seat, doncha know). Frequent oil changes, etc. seem to give knees to the bees, hmmm?

OK, back to razors...