Thread: Hart razor vs Jacques?

Ive been beating my head for the past few months contemplating jumping into straight shaving, and Ive finally decided to do it. My buddies use Jacques custom razors, and I was going to look into his lead times, but I came across a Hart razor that I really like. The Hart is much more economical as well. Id hate to spend $700 on a razor and find out I dont like it. What is the consensus of the Hart razors? They seem to get good reviews. And they are based where I live in PA. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I have the 6/8 spike and I love it. It's one of my favorites.

Are the Harts a step above the Dovos? I dont really like the Dovo stuff at all. And my buddies are busting my nuts and telling me not to go with a square blade. But Im pretty steady with my hands, and dont really care for the round. Are square cut blades really more likely to lead to knicks and cuts?

First of all, unless you're the king of a small country, I'm not sure it makes much sense to spend the $$ on a custom razor before you even know if you'll like using it.

Since you seem to have a lot of friends who are already using straight razors, why not borrow one from them for a week or two for a test-drive?

IMO the plus side of going with an entry level Dovo is that if you find straight razor shaving isn't something you want to stay with you're out half the $ you would have spent on the Hart. Alex makes great stuff but I wouldn't recommend spending $700 on a first razor unless disposable income isn't an issue. The main thing is to make sure the razor is truly shave ready. A round point is easier to shave with, especially for a beginning shaver. OTOH, if you always focus on where that square point is you needn't nick yourself. If I've caught myself with a point it is usually in front of my ear. Just pay attention and you should be fine. As far as the Hart, I haven't owned one but I've read posts by a lot of guys who have them and like them and very few of guys that didn't like them.

I've been looking at the custom razors/micro brands like Hart, Jacques, and Harner (amongst others) for a couple months now. I've yet to hear a bad thing about any of them. I like the price point on the Hart razors for sure.
I'm currently saving my pennies for a Harner razor. It'd be cool to have my last name stamped on a razor made from a place not far from where my father grew up.
SWMBO will not know the price of the Harner so it's going to take me a while to save that many pennies w/o her knowledge. If she knew the price point she'd go all demon barber of fleet street on me with it.

Originally Posted by bharner

If she knew the price point she'd go all demon barber of fleet street on me with it.

Better get a round point just to be safe ......

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.

There is nothing wrong with a Dovo. They are quality blades that will last the rest of your life and will shave as good as anything out there.

The general recommendation when you are starting out is to go middle of the road with things. I would probably get a round point. It just makes things that much easier and one thing less you have to focus on.

I've had, or shaved with, razors made by most of the custom makers. They make beautiful works of art, but that's where the superiority ends. I've yet to shave with one that was better than a good Solingen blade. In fact, I'm to the point where I will likely never own another custom razor that I don't make myself... I personally just don't see the value in them anymore.

However, the Harner I tried was excellent, and it took an edge as good as my Robert Williams custom which was quite good.