Thread: Finally have a big boy razor! - Hart Steel Not A Replica

So I took the razor to the 4k/8k Norton this afternoon.

To test I shaved half my face with the razor as is then half after my sharpening/honing to see how my honing would effect the blade.

I went 8 laps (up/down, as opposed to circular) on the 8k first and tested like Lynn suggests by cutting some arm hair, I felt it wasnt sharp enough so I took 6 laps(up/down) on the 4k then another 8 laps (up/down) on the 8k and felt satisfied.

Off to a 20 cloth laps and 80 leather laps on the strop; unfortunately, my strop fell victim to two nicks that I repaired thanks to a few threads on the site (they happened during the first shave of half my face) - just used a nail file as suggested to smooth it out and then some oil to rub in.

Turns out that this was all I needed to feel comfortable, or at least with the level of hair growth I have currently (which was just a little over 24hrs, we'll see how a 3 day growth will go if I can last that long without shaving again haha). Looks like my face doesnt need as much sharpening work as BrandonPHX (thankfully haha, your sharpening sounded like it took a bit of time!).

I checked out the site. If I'm not careful, that place just might empty my bank account.

That razor is beautiful, but they don't cheap, and I've now seen more than one thread about Harts not coming shave ready. I don't find that acceptable. Especially because a) unlike some here, honing for me means sending it out and paying more on a brand-new razor, and b) one of the things that the Hart guys have been trumpeting from the get-go is that they're bringing quality, artisan-level razors back to North America. This ain't the way to do it.

If I wasn't trying to save up for a Hart none of this would matter, I guess. Or if I knew how to hone a razor. Might be an excuse to learn...

Originally Posted by Jes

I checked out the site. If I'm not careful, that place just might empty my bank account.

That razor is beautiful, but they don't cheap, and I've now seen more than one thread about Harts not coming shave ready. I don't find that acceptable. Especially because a) unlike some here, honing for me means sending it out and paying more on a brand-new razor, and b) one of the things that the Hart guys have been trumpeting from the get-go is that they're bringing quality, artisan-level razors back to North America. This ain't the way to do it.

If I wasn't trying to save up for a Hart none of this would matter, I guess. Or if I knew how to hone a razor. Might be an excuse to learn...

Jes take a look at this sight Balsa Laptop Strop ... I picked up my hart steal blue steal from Baxter a year ago it came shave ready and I loved it when it did need a little touching up instead of hitting my Norton wetstone I did 4 round trips on my laptop board and that's all the girl needed. The board it self is very cheap saves you a ton of cash and gives you a scary sharp edge.

Originally Posted by PLJ

Jes take a look at this sight Balsa Laptop Strop ... I picked up my hart steal blue steal from Baxter a year ago it came shave ready and I loved it when it did need a little touching up instead of hitting my Norton wetstone I did 4 round trips on my laptop board and that's all the girl needed. The board it self is very cheap saves you a ton of cash and gives you a scary sharp edge.

Hey thanks for this, I think this is exactly what I need to get my Hart and TI in perfect shaving condition. I was idly looking for something to help keep my razors in shape without having to send them out. I'll have to pick one up soon!

Originally Posted by Tribade

Hey thanks for this, I think this is exactly what I need to get my Hart and TI in perfect shaving condition. I was idly looking for something to help keep my razors in shape without having to send them out. I'll have to pick one up soon!

More than welcome. You will love it

Originally Posted by PLJ

Jes take a look at this sight Balsa Laptop Strop ... I picked up my hart steal blue steal from Baxter a year ago it came shave ready and I loved it when it did need a little touching up instead of hitting my Norton wetstone I did 4 round trips on my laptop board and that's all the girl needed. The board it self is very cheap saves you a ton of cash and gives you a scary sharp edge.

Iiinteresting. I may just give that a go. The price is certainly right. Chromium loaded is the way to go, I imagine?

Originally Posted by Jes

Iiinteresting. I may just give that a go. The price is certainly right. Chromium loaded is the way to go, I imagine?

Yeah it's worked great for me. Give one a try

Originally Posted by Steelstubble

I've had the same experience most have had with the Not a Replica razor. Mine was so close to being shave ready when I got it but not quite there. After some work on my hones its just an amazing shaver. I decided to put mine in pearlex scales from classicshaving and now my Not a Replica is just drop dead gorgeous.

That's sounds nice! Could you please post a picture of it? (even a bad one). I just ordered the razor and I'm wondering what that black blade would like like with different colored scales.

My Baxter HS in cocobolo

That's beautiful. In the HS stock pics of the scales, the cocobolo and bocote are my favorite. In other pics I've seen there's not as much of a distinction between the two in grain pattern. I guess they're all a little different even within the same wood. I don't think you could go wrong either way though. Thanks for sharing.