Thread: Hart razor vs Jacques?

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.

Ive always been of the mindset of "buy once, cry once." I have no problem buying quality products up front. Im not a real fancy guy. Im looking for something more "functional" than an "art piece." The Jacques ones are pretty nice looking, but most of them are too fancy for my taste. Some of the more simple Jacques designs caught my eye, but then its really not that much different from the Hart. I have no problem spending up to $700, but I dont think it is going to take that much money to get what im looking for.

Can I hang out with your friends?

Originally Posted by thehekler

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.

Point taken, but buying a Gibson or a Martin for a first guitar isn't going to make you a better guitar player. Just sayin'....

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Point taken, but buying a Gibson or a Martin for a first guitar isn't going to make you a better guitar player. Just sayin'....

Very true. I have one of each and I'm not a 'good' guitar player. OTOH, after 40 years of messing with it, if I had waited until I was good I'd never have owned either of them.

Originally Posted by JigStick

Ive always been of the mindset of "buy once, cry once." I have no problem buying quality products up front. Im not a real fancy guy. Im looking for something more "functional" than an "art piece." The Jacques ones are pretty nice looking, but most of them are too fancy for my taste. Some of the more simple Jacques designs caught my eye, but then its really not that much different from the Hart. I have no problem spending up to $700, but I dont think it is going to take that much money to get what im looking for.

Well then you have to define what "functional" means to you. To me, a vintage Sheffield or Solingen blade that cost me under $20 to acquire and has been properly honed is pretty darn functional. To others, and you, maybe that's not the case, and that's OK too.

My only point is that (and nothing against custom razors or their makers) a custom razor isn't the only way to get a good quality functional razor, and I'd argue that not all customs are of excellent quality or exceptionally functional (again, because "functional" is different for everyone). If you want to spend the extra money and get something really slick, go for it. But you don't need to, not by a long shot.

I'm the first to sing the glories of customs - I have a few, from Chandler to Jacques, even a Bruno! However, the thing to remember with customs is that at best they are quarter hollow and maintaining them can be tricky even for the best of us. If you are new to straights, they may not be the best way to go initially.

Having said that, if you have the money and access to a good honer, why not? It's your money, your face, and your consequences.

James.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Point taken, but buying a Gibson or a Martin for a first guitar isn't going to make you a better guitar player. Just sayin'....

Probably true, but when I got my '66 D-28 I couldn't keep my hands off it. It made practicing a lot more fun, even scales.

I've got a Hart and two Alex Jacques and they shave equally as well as each other. I've also got some nice French, German and US straights that I'v picked up for a few dollars and they shave just as well. I think either a Hart or a Jacques as a first razor is unwise. I think that you're better off picking up something from the classifieds here as your first straight.

Let me elaborate with another useful men's acccessory...

A friend of mine pointed this out to me and I think maybe you can understand the differences with this analogy

Timex
Citizens
Tag
Rolex

All these tell the same time, but there is a difference in how they say it