Thread: Hart razor vs Jacques?

There are other custom razor makers who have less wait time and depending on there experience lower prices while still producing flawless products. That said if I was going for a first razor I'd stay away from custom or Hart, that doesn't mean go with a dovo. I can understand wanting to stay away from a dovo best even if they do provide great value for money, I went with a middle of the road TI but there are plenty of nicer new and vintage razors to pick from I'd stay with one of them as they are a more known quality. Also when buying a custom it helps to have an idea of what you like, if you have no experience with a straight you don't know what your likes/dislikes are.

Originally Posted by thehekler

I can understand wanting to stay away from a dovo best even if they do provide great value for money

Why? An $80 razor will serve the same function as an $800 one, namely shaving whiskers.....

Anything above that price point you're just paying for a name brand and fancy materials.

Square points are fine, you just have to be aware of where you point it. What I like about the Hart is that a slight smile is ground into the blade and the point is not as aggressive / pointy as some other square points. So I have to tilt the point in towards my face to get it to make contact. I've never cut myself with my Hart square point, although I know it could happen if I got sloppy.

I don't know where this whole anti-Dovo thing comes from. I keep reading it over and over. It's like people consider them to be total lemons. I have a few of them, the Best Quality, the Bismarck, and a square point ebony. They all take and hold an edge that's just as sharp as any of my other razors, and they shave just as well. They are well made and very good.

Maybe the problem is that they are sold by so many retailers, most of which do not sharpen the razors beyond the factory grind. Most people don't understand this. Then when they try to shave with their (unknown to them) unsharpened Dovo, it tears their face off and they think the razor is a POS.

Like a lot of the other guys said here, get a cheaper razor from the classifieds here or an entry-level Dovo from SRD, maybe as part of a starter set. From SRD you know the razor will come properly sharpened, with a coupon for a second free sharpening. Once you get better, then graduate to the Hart. Keep the Dovo, as you'll find you will want more than one razor.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Why? An $80 razor will serve the same function as an $800 one, namely shaving whiskers.....

Anything above that price point you're just paying for a name brand and fancy materials.

As I said they are great value for money but I can understand wanting to start with something nicer. Not better but nicer. When I started I wanted something special I knew I was gonna stick with it so it was worth it to me. I am not saying it's a path that I would recommend to someone new only that I understand it and it worked for me. A dovo might provide a very nice shave but at least for me it's not up to what I can get with sone of my others, some cheaper some more expensive. If it was a simple equation of shave quality vs price I go with a vintage every time as I can easily find them for $20 plus $20 for a home job and you have a razor at half the price of a dovo best that will shave just as nicely. But many people like new, like everything it's personal preference, if you have the money might as well get something you will love I would only stay away from customs because you don't know yet what qualities you like.

JigStick, Hart razors are well made (USA) serious razors without frills. They make excellent shavers and has been mentioned you need not fear the square edge just be careful with it until your confidence builds. They have a 6/8 round or square and a 7/8 square. Imho I think a Hart is a great entry level razor if you can afford it. Once
you find yourself hooked on straight shaving you can always consider which direction you would like to take in moving to customs. There are some amazing custom razor makers for you to learn about, Jacques, Sprecher, Brown, Zowada, Ellis, Lewis and on and on. Good luck and keep us posted please.