Thread: Hart Razor Shave Ready?

Also, mine was shave ready - my first shave right from the box was great. Thereafter strop then shave - still a great shave.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Is Hart considered a factory maker?

Thanks for catching that Ryan.... They are semi-custom as each one is done from start to finish by one of their two Artisan Technicians. I still want one....

Knight,
'Grats on the Hart. 'Seem like nice iron.
You mention its your first Hart, but wisely got a blade on which to practice. 'Mostly good move. If you're new to str8s, you might look at the threads that have to do w/ learning to shave and hone at the same time - instead of first learning the shave. If you're new to honing, you may find a heavy sheffield to be a challenge. Fleabay, antique store blades usually need more than honing - and the state of the bevel and spine often work against the guy trying to learn honing. As one who has made both mistakes (and countless others), I would suggest you'd do well to first learn the shave. Leave honing to others for now. I'd be happy to help - just the actual cost to mail it safely back to you.

If you MUST start honing, I'd suggest a full hollow that already has a sound bevel and spine - so you aren't being mislead about progress while you learn the feel of the blade on the stones. 'Can be cheap, but must be sound.

My bet is that you just LOVE that Hart. The heavy iron is so friendly & smooth. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by jbtusa

Why they haven't caught on and become the rage is beyond me...... Everything else is a waste of money. This is the one and only!

Likely for a couple reasons. The plain, utilitarian look is one, and the cost for such a razor is another. I'm not saying that they are bad shavers by any means; they certainly have their fans and you're obviously one of them. Nothing wrong with that in the least, but they just don't appeal as strongly to everyone as they do to you.

Congrats! My first staight was a Hart 6/8 with Cocobolo scales. It was shave ready when it arrived and did a fine job with my limited skills; however, the scales looked like they were made by an 8th grader in wood shop. I've since refinished the scales with some sanding, 0000 steel wool, and True Oil. I've also since reset the bevel and honed it with a Norton 4/8, and Naniwa 12k. Now it shaves way better and smoother than when I first received it. It is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Originally Posted by ace

You can always strop it later, but if you strop before the shave and it doesn't go well, you won't know if it was the blade or your stropping that wasn't up to par.

Exactly................

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

Congrats! My first staight was a Hart 6/8 with Cocobolo scales. It was shave ready when it arrived and did a fine job with my limited skills; however, the scales looked like they were made by an 8th grader in wood shop. I've since refinished the scales with some sanding, 0000 steel wool, and True Oil. I've also since reset the bevel and honed it with a Norton 4/8, and Naniwa 12k. Now it shaves way better and smoother than when I first received it. It is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Would you mind explaining the process in more detail and include pics? I agree with your initial impressions of the scales by the way. The blade itself is exemplary.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Likely for a couple reasons. The plain, utilitarian look is one, and the cost for such a razor is another. I'm not saying that they are bad shavers by any means; they certainly have their fans and you're obviously one of them. Nothing wrong with that in the least, but they just don't appeal as strongly to everyone as they do to you.

I don't care for the plain look myself.. The only good looking one I have seen is the one Undream did with horn scales... When he did that, it boosted the Hart in looks and made ot looks like an expensive classy razor.

Also, when they first came out there were a lot of issues with them. They seem to be resolved now but it's hard to live things down in your past.

I have two and both were sooo nice out of the box. Don't do anything to the razor.