Thread: American made Hart Steel

Here is a review thread and a thread by Tim Zowada;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...eel-razor.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...el-razors.html

Thanks Jimmy, very interesting. I didn't realize that Hart razors were a "side project" of Tim Zowada's. I must have missed this one when it first came out.

I would describe the Hart 7/8 square point razor itself as a very crudely made razor; no frills, no decorative angles, simple tang stamps, etc. and I wouldn't change it if I could. The polished blade is more appealing to me and I am glad I chose it. I can tell you it is a monster razor. I have a 7/8 Dorko #14 Square Point and the Hart dwarfs it. The blades are obviously the same size but the Hart is a meatier razor all around. The spine and tang are so wide it is unbelievable which makes it the heaviest razor I own now and the scales are big. I went with the black resin scales but wasn't all that impressed so I called CS and ordered the Cocobolo scales.

The razor came in a big fancy box with a color pamphlet on how to care for the razor, a hex tool for the pin, razor oil, and a deerskin sheath. I could have done without all of it if it meant a lower price but none the less it is all very nice.

I've shaved with it twice and the first time the point got me pretty good. I actually thought about muting it but I was good on the seecond shave so I probably won't. It does give a good shave but I'll probably send it out for honing none the less.

Hope this helps. I am very glad I made this purchase but I must admit the size is still a little intimidating.

I have two and am very happy with them.

I have one in my 10 day rotation, it's a keeper.

I have one. Thankfully it is one of the earlier production razors; the current ones seem to have some quality issues. It is an ok razor. No great shake. A Ralf Aust is a far better bargain and for a few dollars more, a Brian Brown can be had...and THAT'S a razor!!

I am not sure if my problem is with Hart or Classic Shaving. but I bought a Hart razor from them after reading both Harts Website and Classic Shavings description, it sounded like a great razor. Well it showed up it was not oiled or really clean it was in pretty rough shape. I tried to shave the hair on my arm just to see if it had an edge and could not get it to cut anything even pushing down hard, so I tried running it on the strop well an hour latter and around 400 or so passes it now shaves the hair on my arm but no way will it shave my beard.

so I wrote to Classic shaving since there is no telephone number on Harts website and the site sends you to Classic shaving for any issues, well apparently it is my fault that the razor is not sharp:

Mike,
If you will send the razor back in, we will re sharpen that for you.
Sometimes stropping can be a difficult task. If you are even slightly misusing the strop, it will completely dull your razor. If you had done 400 passes, there is no doubt that any razor should have been sharp enough.
Another thing to be sure of is that you are keeping about a 45 degree angle when shaving. This angle is also very important.
There are a lot of YouTube videos that can help you with perfecting all of these factors.
If you would like to send the razor to our facility, we will get it touched up and send back out as soon as possible.

The Grooming Network
130 McGhee Rd. Suite 100
Sandpoint, ID 83864

Also, a side note, we do not accept any returns or exchanges on personal care items so we can assure you that your razor was brand new.

Breanna Buchmiller
Customer Service
The Grooming Network

The thing I find funny is I had no problem cleaning up the failed attempted at using this razor with a $29.00 BOG razor my freind bought from Classic Shaving. and it only took 20 passes on a web belt and 40 passes on a leather belt (same one used for the Hart) to bring that razor back to a bbs capable shaving edge.

Also when did 45 degrees become the go to angle for shaving? I have always used 30 to 35 with my feather ss, and my Portland Razor Sprite.

So my question is do I send it back to them, or since I am already paying for shipping, do I just send it to a trusted site to have it honed, since returning it is not an option. I know the time I sent my Sprite back for rehoning (after a year of use and a few falls of the floor) it came back like new. And did not have to see the strop for a week or so.
any advise is greatly appreciated....

You could tell them that you had it honed and ask for a refund of this charge.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Thanks Jimmy, very interesting. I didn't realize that Hart razors were a "side project" of Tim Zowada's. I must have missed this one when it first came out.

I think Tim designed the razor and contributed to guiding the guys that are making it along the way. So many guys want one of his customs so this , I think , was a way to get one that is along the same lines but at a more affordable price. Eventually I will get a Hart if biz ever picks up again ..... that is if I live that long.

Actually, I believe Hart is owned by Classic Shaving and as the market has requested jimps and other stuff, they have tried to accomodate. OK razor. I have a couple, but they don't see much use. Have honed quite a few. They are decent shavers.

Have fun.