Has anybody tried or owns a Hart Steel razor?? they are pretty expensive but IŽd like to know about some experiences from you guys and tell me about their quality, shaving experience, etc... thank u alll
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Has anybody tried or owns a Hart Steel razor?? they are pretty expensive but IŽd like to know about some experiences from you guys and tell me about their quality, shaving experience, etc... thank u alll
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 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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
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.
I wished they made a 5/8ths model. I just don't care for the bigger blades as I find the 5/8 more manuverable and forgiving.
OMG...Now I know what all the fuss is about!
I am a newbie at str8 razor shaving and wanted to try my hand at a traditional, "REAL" straight razor, so I had purchased one of these a while back.
I rated pricing a 10 because when Hart Steel razors debuted at ClassicShaving.com, they were being offered at $230 for their only "model" at the time, which was a: 6/8" size blade with black resin scales, satin finish square point, without jimps. Shopping around on the internet, checking out different vendor's pricing, I got a hell-of-a deal!
Craftsmanship is rated 9 because the adjustable pin loosens easily but also tightens easily as well; I started using this today and it was loose as I was opening the razor but was able to tighten it easily with the enclosed wrench that came with the razor. Inspecting the razor, there were no visible flaws...the edge is straight, a nicely milled tang and tail and nice shiny black resin scales.
A N/A rating for "Ease to Sharpen" and "Lasting Edge" because I just started using it today and it came shave ready without stropping...hmmm, maybe it should be rated a 10 because of arriving shave ready out-of-the-box.
A rating of 10 for "Shaving Smoothness". This razor is soooooo smooth to shave with, it's an absolute delight and fun to use. Having enough cushion and slickness, this razor will glide on your face! I thought the square point would catch my skin, but to my pleasant surprise, it didn't...a nice and smooth blade with a nice heavy quarter grind.
A rating of 10 for "Easy to Maintain" because the edge was still sharp first time out and I didn't strop yet. There is no spotting because I wiped it off after use and the blade still has a nice satin finish.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND purchasing one of these razors if/or when budget permits.
Here's an update on my affiliation with Hart steel, just so there is no confusion.
I was a "hired gun" in the development of the company. I did all the design, prototypes and engineering. I trained the guys doing the grinding, heat treating, honing and scales. The packaging and marketing were done by the owners of the company. It was a wonderful opportunity to start something new in the United States. All the guys doing the work are my friends and live nearby.
As of March 2012, I am no longer affiliated with Hart Steel. I did help out with a small quality control problem in July, but that has been it.
I hope this helps.
I bought one a month or two ago. The screw fell out and I suspect it went down the sink. Classic Shaving wants $5.00 for a new screw plus $31.00 US for shipping to Canada....so about $36.00 US for a screw that's probably ten cents to manufacture. It shaves nicely, but no better than any of my 100 year old razors that still haven't required parts. I believe I shaved with it 3 times before it became useless....I won't be buying another one. Does anyone know where I can buy one of those screws without mortgaging my house? thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAMPINNGUY
Let me check out in the shop, I have replaced quite a few of their scales over the years, I never specifically saved a bolt but then again I never toss anything that might be useful later :p
Cross yer fingers if I find one you can have it
? You can get superb Ralf Aust razors for less than that price.Quote:
Originally Posted by groomingguru
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.
With the way they are handling this I am pretty sure I am not getting a refund on the honing charge. They will want to do it in house since they have a $25 honing service. but if the edge that came on the razor is any indication of what their honing shop does then I will be wasting $15 in shipping for nothing. Their website said:
The blades are surface-ground before and after heat-treating in a molten salt bath. The salt protects the blades from decarbonization and oxidation. The blades are then frozen in liquid nitrogen, which assures dimensional stability. Each blade is triple-tempered for a final hardness of 62 – 63 HRC, and finish-honed on a vintage Escher hone and hand-stropped. Every blade is “shave ready” right out of the box.
So I am assuming that if I send it back it will be honed on the Same Escher hone and hand stropped by the same person, which did not work out that well the first time around.
Where for the same shipping and $15 I can send it to Portland razor co, and I know it will come back bbs shave ready.
Both of mine were received in just Super sharp condition. I'm sorry your experience is not as positive.
Well, they are certainly misinformed about the proper straight shaving angle to use. At most, you're looking at roughly 30 degrees for WTG strokes, and then progressively lower from there as you move to XTG (15) and ATG (5) passes. A 45 degree angle is 50% too much...about what you see them doing cluelessly in the fantasy world of cinema and TV. ;)
If I were you, I would seek out an alternative honing solution and avoid the vendor. I recommend you send it to Gssixgun who happens to live a few miles north of Sandpoint. He'll finish the razor on any stone that strikes your fancy. :)
Good luck, and I too am sorry you received such dissatisfying service acquiring your new razor.
It was their $200 razor on sale for $109. So even with postage and a $15 (Portland Razor Co) I am still only in this razor for $130.00. So I am not to mad.
How do I contact him?
Regardless if it was $1 they have to deliver what they agree to deliver.
You would think so but as it seems not this time, from what I am seeing if you buy the $250.00 and up razors for Hart they do a lot better job. When you buy the $109 ones well some thing (honing) fall through the cracks. The only reason I bought it was I wanted to try the 5/8 size over the my feather and 6/8 razor.
Puravida,
From your description of the dirty, unoiled condition of the razor when you received it, I would think that it was a razor somebody messed with and returned to the vendor. And that the vendor didn't even inspect it before sending it to you. Maybe you can get them to exchange it for a new one, if you request it in a courteous manner.
Classic used to be a good company to deal with. They were cordial and responsive when I contacted them a few years ago about a Hart razor I had purchased new from a local dealer (Plaza Cutlery).
Best of luck,
Jeff
Being nice in such a situation never hurts.
She made it a point to let me know it was not returnable, or exchangeable, I asked her if maybe it was a return was why it was in the shape it was, she said "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."Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffR
'How to burn a brand down in three easy steps'
1. Sell out
2. Lower your standards
3. Blame the customer
Hart Steel razors seem to have gone Tango Uniform as far as QC and customer service goes lately. I have one Hart Steel razor. Got it about 4-5 years ago. Great razor, never a problem. No, I would not buy another
I was going to buy a Hart razor this weekend just because of the "made in america" factor. but after reading this and looking at other forums it seems perhaps their best days are behind them in terms of quality and service. looking at Portland Razor Co right now though and they seem to offer the same value props
I wish I would have known that before I bought this one. everywhere you read Hart is has high marks but that was 4 or 5 years ago, all the new posts seem pretty negative.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix51
:banghead:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Butzy
Portland Razor is top notch I bought a sprite became it was the same size as my feather artisan, and love it even my daughter steals it to shave her legs with all the time. the only reason I tried Heart was for the 5/8 blade I wanted to try a lighter blade. and 6/8 or up is all Portland offers without going custom.
For now I am just going to use my sprite and feather and send my Hart to Portland and see what they can do with it.
Brian Brown Razors.
Try this guy. I guarantee you will not be disappointed
Attachment 267664
I would agree that Brian Brown provides the best bang for your buck with regards to American made razors. I have yet to encounter a single dissatisified customer.
received the 6/8 square point Hart today,sure wasn't shave ready ($99 with 2' strop).i'll hold judgement till after i hone it :nj
I will second the Portland Razor Company Sprite. Great razor, and good people with whom to work. I have sent it in for honing to repair my stropping errors, and it has been turned around quickly and shaves like new.
Good luck with the honing. l purchased my Hart earlier this year. Although it was supposed to be shave ready, it was not even close. It had chips in the edge. I spent hours honing mine before I got it to give a decent shave. What worked for me was to hone it first with out tape to remove some of the scratches in the bevel and then hone it with tape to form a secondary bevel. It now gives a decent shave.Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketdebris
I also give a +1 on the semi-custom razors from Brown Razor Works. Brian is a great guy and he does good work. I have both a 6/8" and a 7/8". He produces a belly grind on these razors, but they shave like a full hollow. Due to my experience with the Hart, I now avoid quarter hollow grinds.
