To Hart or not? That is the question.

Anyone have any thoughts/experience on the Hart razors? One is for sale on epay and it is a generation one - whatever that means. Since each razor is made by one individual, does anyone know who is at Hart doing a superb job. I'm sure there is quality control, but we all know that some artisians are just better than others, for a whole host of different reasons. If you have one and you're really happy with the craftsmanship, could you share the artisians stamp. You can PM me on this, if you want. Apparently Zowada is no longer there. Any other brand suggestions would be appreciated. Hope I'm not out of line here, but it is a lot of $.
Thank you in advance for any comments/suggestions.

A genration one should be 6/8's, 1/4 hollow, satin finish, round or square point, O-1 tool steel martempered and frozen in liquid Nitrogen 62 - 63HRC. The scales should be one piece cast from resin. The heat treating was done by an aerospace place in Traverse City, MI. The grinders would be any of the three: Bruce, Terry or JD.

All of the guys doing the grinding do a good job. As with any razor purchase, be sure you have inspection rights and can send it back if it is damaged.

I'm not with Hart any more. But, they are unique in the industry and do a good job.

I hope this helps

If you are having problems with spending that kind of money I will give you this advice. I own a gen 1 it is awsome. My freinds all have atleast one of them. They are made in America and have an awsome track record. I know they are expensive. Even new I think they go for about 300 bucks, but they are a cottage business and in that you will really get some quality in that razor. There are many alternatives such as dovo for costs sake. I know you can get a 5/8 dovo from SRD for about 80 bucks and it will be hones to perfection when it comes to you.

The one on eBay went for $180 and change. I watched it, but didn't bid. Picture showed wood scales. Beautiful razor. The same bidder got a good deal on a SRD paddle strop. SWMBO is not a source of encouragement for me, but a Hart is at the top of my list. The bidder in this deal is fortunate....

I bought one as a second razor to my Boker full hollow. If you like or would like a razor that looks and feels like a tool instead of a delicate show piece then you'd be happy. I'm new to straight shaving and haven't really dialed this one in yet (I think the difference in feedback from my Boker combined with the weight of it creates a recipe for razor burn that I do not feel in my Boker much anymore). If you haven't shaved with a 1/4 hollow or a wedge, then I would try to find someone that has one before you blow $300 unless you're like me and don't mind blowing $300 for the "made-in-America production razor" nostolgic effect and are willing to make it shave well. I'm very happy with the purchase, it came shaving sharp and hones well for me off Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton stones.

I own a 7/8 square tip. I love it. Is it expensive? You bet. But I really feel that you get a lot of razor here for you money. While your average Dovo will set you back a little over $100, I at least see a lot of vintage razors that I could have for that same money and many are superior. The Hart is about $300 and there is a lot that competes for that same money. The difference is that the Hart is a different breed than anything else. While that standard Dovo at $100 can be swapped out for a million other full hollow 6/8 razors, I don’t think you can say the same about the Hart. This is a rather unique razor that is not like any of the other heavy grind/large sized razors I have. Answering if its worth it is a personal assessment. I’m very happy with mine. But when its all tallied up, that dime a dozen Dovo will deliver a shave just as good as the Hart. The Hart is a wonderful luxury. But luxury it is.

I have a Hart, newer one and it's a very nice razor. No issues at all. My feeling has always been for the price you are getting into custom territory.

I've got a gen 1 and yup, if you can get one, do it.

I have a Hart 7/8 square latest generation, and i love the weight and feel a lot better than my dovo best quality, and it hold the edge for a long time. Good razor and its worth the price.

I like jimping so I steered clear of the gen 1s.

But I now have 2 Hart Steels that I made custom handles for. They are superb shavers, but lately there have been a handful of reports that they came with non-shave-ready edges. Mine both came with fantastic edges, and I found them easy to hone when they required it. I wouldn't sweat it, I figure any razor purchase will require a hone job...if they don't, it's a bonus.

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Originally Posted by K37

I bought one as a second razor to my Boker full hollow. If you like or would like a razor that looks and feels like a tool instead of a delicate show piece then you'd be happy. I'm new to straight shaving and haven't really dialed this one in yet (I think the difference in feedback from my Boker combined with the weight of it creates a recipe for razor burn that I do not feel in my Boker much anymore). If you haven't shaved with a 1/4 hollow or a wedge, then I would try to find someone that has one before you blow $300 unless you're like me and don't mind blowing $300 for the "made-in-America production razor" nostolgic effect and are willing to make it shave well. I'm very happy with the purchase, it came shaving sharp and hones well for me off Naniwa, Norton, and Shapton stones.

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'Had the honor of meeting K37 last Sat. It was a pleasure I'd welcome anytime. I write 'cause except for the rare 'find', most of us only get to try the heavy sheffield 'silent' shavers, not the hard steels that have a better chance of providing feedback. Heavy grinds aren't for everyone, but how would anyone know unless they got to try some? Anyone w/ curiosity might do well to locate a nearby member that has or likes heavy grinds that wouldn't mind letting someone try theirs. A few strokes are worth alot of pages of opinions. At new prices, Harts are precious close to the price of the SRD special, which I prefer. The two Harts I honed & tested were wonderful shavers. While most call them silent, a very small amount of final strokes (for me, a total of 16" travel length)on .5 diamond brought its voice back. Like any near wedge, feedback is subdued, but doesn't have to be missing altogether. By comparison, the heavy Wackers, Swedish blades, some Henckels and Mr. William's blades babble their heads off.

On the razor burn - its not uncommon w/ the heavies, 'cause they tolerate more pressure than the full or extra hollow. The pressure is the source of the burn in most cases. They perform really well without pressure also.

Simple economics explains why hard steel heavies are so hard to come by. IIRC, there's only one place in the world that produces blanks now, apart from custom/semi-custom makers. If that's wrong - what is the right number? Two? They aren't making new blanks. That's what allows the market for custom makers that lack the costly equipment to execute a full or extra hollow reliably.

I'd encourage guys to give them a try - preferably before laying out all the coin for new. If you find you like them - don't be surprised if you like them *ALOT*. They have all the ingredients for an 'AD' of their own. If you don't like them - you've not torpedoed the shaving budget.

BTW, K37. The invitation is very much open for you to come try a smorgasboard of light and heavy blades.

I've had two Hart razors - a 6/8" and a 7/8". They were both good razors.

However, for me, they were not worth the price. I didn't particularly like the weight and design, and so I passed them on to new owners.

I have to point out here that there was nothing wrong with them. They were elegant, simple razors, and the did shave fine. I prefer full-hollow ground razors, and the Harts did not fit that description, so they didn't suit me.

However, even when considering 1/4" hollow - to wedge grind razors, there are better, more economical options. For a long time Brian Brown made better, more interesting razors for about the same price. I'd have gone that route over a Hart (and I did).

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So, as far as I'm concerned, the Harts are not worth the price. You (and others) may have a different experience and opinion. I'd rather spend a lot less money on a vintage razor, and I'll enjoy the shave a lot more than with the Hart. But this is a personal choice. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by pinklather

If you find you like them - don't be surprised if you like them *ALOT*. They have all the ingredients for an 'AD' of their own.

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I’d have to agree with this. After I got my Hart, I’ve come to really enjoy the heavier grind razors. I still enjoy the hollow grinds as well but there is a greater allure to the heavy ones for me. Since I acquired the Hart, I’ve picked up two Joseph Elliots and two Wade and Butchers – all of them heavy grind/wedge/near wedge razors. Its very true that there is significantly less feedback with these. I don’t miss that or have any requirement for it. I guess some people may miss that. You’ll have to decide for yourself. If you do decide to go the way of a Hart, one thing to consider is the tip. My square tip is very aggressive. I have other square tip razors but are not as aggressive as this one is. I suppose you can mute it some but I prefer to leave it as is since its part of this razors “personality”, so to speak.

I have honed 3 Harts in the last week, I would like to get one.

I own 7 Hart Steels they are the only razors in my rotation, I have both gen 1 & 2 and at least one by each AT I and a true heart fan I far as I an concerened theres nothing finer and they are made in the USA this is just the way I feel

I have had the good fortune to own one of the initial issue Hart Steel Razors and liked it very much it was a 6/8 square.
I now have a new 7/8 square and really enjoy the razor.
To me Harts are serious no nonsense straight razors. With their resin scales they could easily be shaving gents several generations down the road.
I may be incorrect but my take is that Tim Zowada convinced the craftsman that a serious no nonsense razor was the order of the day to have a shot at success. I believe that philosophy served them well and still does. About once a year now they
will release a special series of straights through Classic Shaving. These are the razors that the craftsmen/craftsman has a chance to try something a little different in the way of shapes and scales. I am just happy with what I have and the fact that the razors are actually made in the United States of America. : )