Thread: Hart Steel Razors

How many of you here at SRP own a Hart Razor. Not a lot has been said lately about them I called the store that is carrying them and the women I talked with was very nice and told me They are selling a lot of them are you guys buying them or is it others. I just would like to know if you own one are they worth it. I've read the other post from awhile back. But have heard nothing lately.

Like with everything else when a new product comes out it becomes the must have item and there is a whole flurry of interest and as time goes on the interest wanes and people evaluate the product with a cooler head.

Previous threads have been pretty specific about what people think so if your interested in them I would go by them. I'm sure a few owners will respond here though.

i heard they are as good as Fillys if not better...buy them up quick! Inflate those prices!

BTW I was kidding! I have heard very little about them, other than enquiries regarding their worthiness.

I expect they are not bad, but I have absolutely no fact whatsoever to back this opinion.

In any case, why would you pay that price for one when there are so many other and arguably better options available.

IMHO they look pretty boring, and I would be surprised if a vintage Solingen would fail to provide a superior shave.

I have one that I won in a raffle on another website.

The razor seems (to me) to have been designed similar to the older Wade & Butchers. Slight smile, and although advertised as a quarter hollow, mine is much more like a wedge.

The shave is quite good, very smooth. The claim is to be shave ready. I wouldn't know as I took it to a chrome ox pasted paddle and several stropping progressions before use. I did inspect the bevel before doing anything and it appeared even, narrow, and smooth.

The only rap I have on the razor is that it seems to spot very easily. I take almost obsessive care of my razors and this one comes up with small spots on the spine and blade. Not a lot of them, but spots that I don't get with any other razor. Fortunately they come off with polish and little effort.

Would I buy one? Most likely not, for the money a superb vintage razor could be had that would be much more interesting. Some have been listed in various BST forums around $160 as I recall. If you really want one that would be the way to go.

I'm interested but as you say, for the price there are some awfully nice vintage pieces to be had. As far as the spotting, a coat of Semichrome is pretty good for removing superficial spots and for protecting the surface to some extent. I hear that Renaissance Wax is also quite good for metal protection too. It is recommended for protecting wood scales by Bill Ellis.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

The only rap I have on the razor is that it seems to spot very easily. I take almost obsessive care of my razors and this one comes up with small spots on the spine and blade. Not a lot of them, but spots that I don't get with any other razor. Fortunately they come off with polish and little effort.

This is characteristic of O1 steel. It has very low corrosion resistance even by the already low standards of carbon steel. It's a great steel in most other respects, but IMO this is a bad trait for something who's job description includes regular contact with water and salt (in the skin).

I had the chance to play with one for a while and i would not buy it at any price point. It may be a defective one, but if that's the case it's the third one that I've heard of with the same issues. I didn't care for the aesthetics either.

I won't get started on them. I had the chance to play with one (probably the same weekend as Gugi- the WNY meet up?) and my opinion was strengthened that this is NOT a $250 razor (or however much they charge). This is a perfectly good razor- you can make it shave and it is reasonably well made, and they obviously have good customer service if you get a dud- but the Dovo Best and Classic both have pins, plain blades, and cast a third or less. Alternatively, look at it this way- one can get a higher end Dovo, with gold wash, mirror finish, nice scales, etc for the same price (or cheaper). The quality may be there, (let me reiterate, I am not saying it is a bad razor) but the price point is just wrong. (IMO)

I have one and will certainly buy another.

I am a newbie, and lack the experienced eye and discerning tastes of the seniors in this forum, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I can tell you that my Hart razor is an absolute favorite of mine.

I use Wade & Butchers, Le Grelot 1/4 ground, double duck, Dovo, henckels including Friodur, all honed by the pros, and a variety of other "rescued" old razors on which I am learning to hone. I tend to like 1/4 ground razors with a slight smile, which I understand is common among newcomers. I like razors which feel substantial in the hand.

My Hart razor is the first razor with which I achieved a BBS shave. It is consistently a "best shave" razor with me, holds its edge as well as any but the Friodurs, and feels great in the hand. I use it two or three times as often as any other in my rotation.

I like it so much that I have developed "honing anxiety." That is, when after many shaves a simple stropping won't do, I will eventually have to hone it. I am busy practicing on eBay razors for this day, but I will be nervous honing my beloved Hart razor the first time.

I like the fact that I can adjust the tension of the scales. I have it set just where I want it. Many of my pinned razors are too loose, and I am learning to tighten them. It is no big deal to do so, but the Hart approach works better for me.

I like the scale material. It is tough, no nonsense and looks great to me.

To add to my enthusiasm for this razor, the price I paid went to fellow Americans actually starting up a manufacturing business in the U.S. Good for them, whoever they are.

I do not automatically "buy American" just to do so, but getting a GREAT razor from a new US manufacturing concern feels good to me.

Is the price "worth it." To me, absolutely. As I said, I will be buying another. I respect the experienced opinions of others. I don't mean to contradict their observations, just report my impressions. I claim no expertise. As someone who started straight razor shaving just a few months ago, I am always amazed at what a great shave the Hart gives me.

That is the point of choosing a razor. Just one man's opinions.

(sorry to those who have heard this in other threads.)