Received and shaved with my first brand new razor...

and boy was it great. It is a Hart, 7/8 and a square point. I thought after shaving with the straight on and off for the last fifteen years (finally devoting myself to it [almost] completely last summer), and considering I will shortly have a little extra cash laying around as I'm in the process of selling my house, that it was good and safe time to take the plunge. I opted to shave with it right out of the box, as I read that they come shave ready. And, since I've always honed my own razors and bought a few that claim to be shave-ready, for the sake of comparison, I would finally be able to judge if my honing is, indeed, up to par. So I must say, it was a most delightful shave. It is a big hunk of steel and I love it! The shave was effortless and completely comfortable. I almost hesitate with this remark, but I think I can get it a little sharper on my own. And, in fact, I did. But, mind you, that is not meant as a criticism. I just think that I must at least have the skill to "finely" hone this big bugger to its fullest potential - something that I think that the hone-meisters at 'larger' operations just simply don't have the time to scrutinize. Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. It is similar to my 7/8 Wostenholm, a razor that I love equally as much. I was considering doing a comparison of each of them, but I know already, what else is there to say other than they are both great shavers. One thing I will say about my preference for larger razors is this: I'm a smallish man. I am 5'5" and 160lbs. I have a med-course beard. Some folks say that if you have a smaller face that smaller razors 'fit' your face better. I really feel that's a bit of nonsense. I have come to feel that the weight of the blade removes whiskers rapidly, easily, and effortlessly. Just my opinion. Oh, and for the price - $299 - I think if you have the cash to lay out, the Hart is a great investment (or consumption, depending on how you see the world).

i mho i think that a heavier blade does shave better. i don't think the size of the razor really effects sharpness but i am about the same build as you 5'9' and 176lbs and a heavier razor in my hand feels a lot more balanced and forgiving than say a 5/8. just my thoughts

i have also heard smaller razors (3/8s - 4/8s) deliver a finer shave, i feel like a edge is an edge taking into similar grind... maybe not even taking that into account.. i also heard that the momentum of a larger blade makes it easier... i don't know about that either.

sounds like a great razor... is it satin or polished? i much prefer the square to the round...

I have a small Maher & Gosh [4/8]. I have never shaved with it, but I'll say this much, it's one of the sharpest little buggers I've ever come across. It came with a cigar box of razors I bought at an antique store in my home town. That was a once in a lifetime purchase. I think, all told, I got about a dozen or so razors for, [if I recall correctly] $60. In fact, that's where I came into the 7/8 Wostenholm. It's a real beauty too. That one was the only one that I had to replace the scales on. Oh, and I also came into a nice barber's hone too - came with the razors. As for the Hart razor, it's a satin finish. I read that the Hart's rust up quickly and I thought it might be better to get a satin finish (no logic here, at all). Turns out, all it needs is the same care I provide to any other fine tool - a rinse, a quick wipe down with the chamois and make sure it's dry before slipping it into its deerskin pouch. Not a problem in the world! Oh, and yes, I prefer the square too. Again, no logical or practical reason why, just aesthetics I suppose.