Thread: Hart Steel razor

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I'd like to say that mine has not lived up to its potential but I'm believing that it really doesn't have that potential. Mine barely came shave ready and I think I know why. Since I acquired mine, its never taken a truly great edge. I had a LOT of problems with the steel chipping as I was honing. Knowing that they use one layer to hone the blades, I added a second to try to stabilize things. It helped....a tiny bit. Frustrated that I was not able to get a really good edge on it, I went to three layers. That helped more. I've put mine across synthetics and naturals. The edge I got from my Jnat was probably the best its had since Ive owned it but it falls short of what I'm able to do with other razors. In an effort to push it a little further, last night I put it over my Suehiro 20k. No better than the Jnat. Is it a shavable edge? Yeah, it is. But is it a great edge. No, absolutely not. My Wade and Butcher FBU takes on a much better edge and shaves much better than I think this Hart ever will. I even tried to contact Hart about the chipping and quality of the steel as it was known to be an issue with earlier models. They never responded. I like the idea of an American made razor but I'd suggest a Revisor or TI over a Hart any day.

I have three harts and they all take and keep a great edge. I use a Chosera 1k for the bevel and then a Naniwa 5,8,12k.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I'd like to say that mine has not lived up to its potential but I'm believing that it really doesn't have that potential. Mine barely came shave ready and I think I know why. Since I acquired mine, its never taken a truly great edge. I had a LOT of problems with the steel chipping as I was honing. Knowing that they use one layer to hone the blades, I added a second to try to stabilize things. It helped....a tiny bit. Frustrated that I was not able to get a really good edge on it, I went to three layers. That helped more. I've put mine across synthetics and naturals. The edge I got from my Jnat was probably the best its had since Ive owned it but it falls short of what I'm able to do with other razors. In an effort to push it a little further, last night I put it over my Suehiro 20k. No better than the Jnat. Is it a shavable edge? Yeah, it is. But is it a great edge. No, absolutely not. My Wade and Butcher FBU takes on a much better edge and shaves much better than I think this Hart ever will. I even tried to contact Hart about the chipping and quality of the steel as it was known to be an issue with earlier models. They never responded. I like the idea of an American made razor but I'd suggest a Revisor or TI over a Hart any day.

Who was the AT that ground you Blade ? Maybe he was having a bad day or like you stated maybe bad steel one of mine has small pitts on it an never had any rust I not sure if it came like that I saw it when I was cleaning it after I had shaved. As to honing them I have only had to touch mine up a little using a welsh thurigian . If you like American Made Razors you should try one of Tim Zowadas "Carbon Series" Razors I have prototype of his 2H2H Razors and one of the new "Carbon Series" Razors and I really like them. My Son is only 7 and he has already says those are his razors.

I love mine. Great shaver.

I have three, 7/8 Square 6/8 Square Baxter and the Kamisori.
The 7/8 is my "go to" razor - easy to maintain and a all around great razor that gets close to 50% of the razor of the day slots.

Originally Posted by Lonerider

I have three harts and they all take and keep a great edge. I use a Chosera 1k for the bevel and then a Naniwa 5,8,12k.

And that's great if the steel holds it's edge. But mine needs at least three layers of tape to keep the steel from crumbling away. Thanks to Utopian for coaxing a shav able edge out it. But I don't have long term hopes for it. In the end the steel on mine is simply inferior even if we were able to get an edge on it. A $300 razor shouldn't need this much voodoo to get a shaveable edge.

Originally Posted by Slamthunderide

Who was the AT that ground you Blade ? Maybe he was having a bad day or like you stated maybe bad steel one of mine has small pitts on it an never had any rust I not sure if it came like that I saw it when I was cleaning it after I had shaved. As to honing them I have only had to touch mine up a little using a welsh thurigian . If you like American Made Razors you should try one of Tim Zowadas "Carbon Series" Razors I have prototype of his 2H2H Razors and one of the new "Carbon Series" Razors and I really like them. My Son is only 7 and he has already says those are his razors.

Like cars I'm willing to go with American gladly but the product has to be quality. My two Revisors hone up and shave much better than the Hart. If I'm buying new, I'll go with Revisor before another Hart or a cousin of one. The design is nice, the grind is nice. But the quality and customer service left a lot to be desired. And at those prices there are many options available. I recognize that mine was probably the exception not the rule. But I won't allow it to happen again on my dollar.

I have the Baxter "Not A Replica" Hart, and it holds its own with any of my razors. Hones up fine, holds an edge nicely with stropping, and a very comfortable shave. Anybody else have the BOC Hart and if so, how is yours?

Originally Posted by entropy1049

I have the Baxter "Not A Replica" Hart, and it holds its own with any of my razors. Hones up fine, holds an edge nicely with stropping, and a very comfortable shave. Anybody else have the BOC Hart and if so, how is yours?

I have the BOC 6/8 Square. It has done very well, easy to maintain but I prefer the 7/8 Hart SP.

Same thing on the first one I tried - on one spot along the edge would crumble during shaving. The angle was 15 degrees, so definitely within the spec.

The curvature of the spine didn't match the curvature of the edge as well - they were offset relative to each other, which I attribute to lack of grinding skills (it was early in the production).

The second one, few years down the road, was better and didn't have the crumbling steel issue, but it was an average shaver - I have dozens of sheffields, some 200 year old, that shave much better and look better, not to mention for a fraction of the cost of a hart.

In other words I gave them a chance, then a second chance, and I'm not a fan. For $300 I could buy a far better razor from sheffield any day (e.g these ones cost me less http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...p-img_1413.jpg, http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...p-img_1433.jpg, http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rQyZbP-n9YM/S4...0/IMG_1906.JPG).

I've honed a few of these and have been wanting one for myself I can accept a few have issues. What I cannot accept is no response or replacement from the company. Do they have a phone number? Maybe try and call them.
No doubt you can probably fix the issue but 1) shouldn't have to and 2) how much metal are you going to have to remove? You buy a 7/8 because that's what you wanted.