Thread: Got a Hart Steel

I took a bit of a gamble an ordered a Hart steel from classicshaving.com
I was considerng a Mastro Livi but there were concerns over the build quality and I also wanted to tried a thicker grind.

Anyway, today it arrived!
First impressions:
Good build quality except for one flaw, the torx screw that holds the blade in the scales seems to come looser just after opening and closing it a few times. Not enough that the blade won't stay open but enough to be noticeable. Other than that the scales are very nicely done.

The tang is nice and thick and its easy to get a secure grip on this razor despite having no jimps on the tang. The handling is also very good. I find it easier to adjust the angle with razors that have a beefier tang/spine.
It has a similar weight to my Le Grelots which I really like. the round point is a bit too round and looks a bit weird.

Will have a shave test later this evening, even though I don't really need a shave today since the bbs from my new TI last night:P

I still need to figure out my camera, all my pics are looking a bit dark.

Congrats they are beautiful razors I like the clean no nonesense look to them, I just haven't taken the plunge yet. I was looking today and saw they do have at least one model now with jimps. I was wondering if there is a list of the "artisans" and whether people were more satisfied with sone or if there were others to avoid? Great score let us know how it shaves!

Yeah I kind of want one... Let us know how you like it. That seems like a super round point.

I saw the ones with jimps and was considering it but the price was already a bit higher than I wanted to pay and I wanted one with the lighter scales.

Well this is my first 1/4 Grind razor and it gave a very quiet and smooth shave. I washed the oil off the blade and gave it a few swipes on the latigo strop.
The edge on it is a notch above the new 1/2 Hollow TI I got from Martin at rasurpur. Which I think says a lot since he is an excellent honemeister
Whoever did the honing for the Hart definately knows what they are doing.

After only 1 shave with each i think I prefer the Hart. Despite having no thumbnotch or jimps on the tang like the TI it somehow feels better in my hand and the weight in the blade just makes it glide effortlessly across your face.

I read elsewhere in reviews on the Hart Steel about some quality issues but mine doesn't seem to have any quality issues. The satin finish is nice and even and there are not visible grind marks from the belt sander as I've seen others mention. I think Hart has improved their quality since they first started.

Its hard to recommend this razor based on the steep price. Its a really personal matter if its worth it to you or not but I can attest to its shaving qualities and after my initial shave with it I can say it shaves as good as anything else in my collection. However, there is a lot of choice out there for the money.
I guess for me I thought it was worth it since I bought it after all, and was looking at Livi's which look quite similar and are even more expensive.

Had my second shave with the Hart Steel this morning and since I didn't shave yesterday it had more of a 'test''. I still have to get used to the thicker grinds but even still it gave a very very good shave. shaving wise, I actually prefer this Hart to the new TI Grelot inspired I also bought. The edge on the Hart feels a bit smoother to me. The balance/handling is a bit better too, the TI has a nice thumbnotch but is really heavy in the tang behind the notch but the blade is shortened and its only a half hollow so when compared back to back with the Hart the new TI just doesn't feel quite as ''right''
In the Hart the weight in the blade itself compensates for the thickness of the tang and makes for an very easy and smooth shave.

Hart just keeps getting better and better. Congrats on the purchase!

Its going to be interesting to compare this Hart to the 1/4 Grind Le Grelot I have coming to me in the mail!..

I'm liking everything I hear lately about the Harts. I do think they should be at a lower cost point, but I may be naive about the Dovo/TI use of automation in manufacture. If they're using computerized grinders, the guys will never be able to compete with that by hand (cost/efficiency-wise). 'Seems like $250-275 buys a dang lot of other known good, sought-after names.

That said, I'd like to try one, and will probably own one eventually.

Yes I was worried about the price point too. There are better looking razors from better established manufacturers in the same price point. I got a Dos Festonné that costs exactly the same with shipping included. The TI is a lot more beautiful and probably will have a higher collectors value. I know the historical steel is running out and once it is gone all the new TI's will be made with C135 which is nice but I don't find quite as good as the historical. But for $250 -275 there are a lot of nice razors like Wackers, TI's, Le Grelot's, higher end Dovo's.

I think if this razor was priced less , like around $200 it would be a lot more popular but since its at the higher end of the non-custom price point it competes with some pretty nice blades. Unfortunately, Hart doesn't have the economies of scale as larger manufacturers so can't really compete on price but from my limited experience with straight razors, it can compete on the feel during the shave, and feels nicer than almost all my newer dovo's.

If they can keep the quality up, they may overcome the price point. I sure hope they do. 'Would love to see others outside the US jones'n for a Hart the way we do for some of the premium Euro blades.