Hart?

merkri · Post by **merkri** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:01 pm

Anyone own a Hart razor?

http://www.hartsteel.com/index.html

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:47 am

Two. Very good O1 steel, which takes an exceptional edge. One drawback to it though is that it corrodes easily, so you have to be fussy about drying and stropping after shaving, and store the razor out of the bathroom. Some complained about irregularities in the grind on a few early examples, but my two were fine, and I think that has been sorted out. It is a relatively expensive razor, but of excellent quality. One of those things where a fellow owner will smile and congratulate you, and someone who doesn't have one will simply say you paid too much. A bit like deciding your first camera might as well be a good one and buying a Leica M3 and a brick of Tri-X!

Chris

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:53 am

I've been wanting one since they were introduced, but yes, they are pricey. The Hart razors don't seem to generate hardly any discussion on the shaving forums. I don't know why. Wanting to hear what current Hart owners think of their razors, I've asked the same question you just asked on a couple of the forums, and all I received (at that time) were some rude responses, such as "that was already discussed when the Hart first came out, go search and read that stuff." The response you received here from Chris is, on the other hand, exactly what you (and I) have been wanting to see. Thanks for asking the question, and thanks to Chris for the informative response. If I recall correctly, he was one of the original reviewers of the Hart shortly before it was offered for sale to the public around a year ago.

GollyMrScience · Post by **GollyMrScience** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:23 am

Yes the response from Chris is another example of why I do not belong to any other forums. There is a certain level of care and decorum demonstrated here that others lack.

loueedacat1 · Post by **loueedacat1** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:52 am

A lot of the early negative reviews were from people that didn't own a hart, but were offended by the price in light of the lack of curb appeal. I never understood that. Then some (that actually owned one) complained about grind problems, but then a bunch of good reviews came in.

I don't own one so can't comment. But it's cool to see the growing roster of custom makers joined by a semi production operation.

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 3:19 pm

There's a backstory to the lack of traffic about Hart razors that is best discussed by PM.

Suffice it to say that if they were the only razors left to me when the straight razor gang raided the wall of shame, I would be well-shaved for the rest of my days. OK, I could say that of almost any razor on the wall, but few would shave as close and comfortable. The quarter grind is really stiff, giving the silent shave of a W&B meat cleaver, but much sharper. I think I shall have to spend some quality time with them and give the Friodurs a rest. If I didn't have such a humidity problem I could use them without a second thought. But it does get sticky here in the summer, and I have to keep carbon steel razors out of the bathroom and in a box with lots of silica gel packets. Tim says I should oil them, but I hate to do it - can't get it all off prior to the next shave. Nonetheless, the time has come for a change and I shall have them both in use this week.

Chris
Original review here.

merkri · Post by **merkri** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:40 pm

Thanks for the informative replies

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:02 am

A while back I read ad statements from Hart that they guarantee flat, warp free blades. That is very different from statements from Dovo and others that some warping is not a defect.

I can't provide links to any of this, but I'm sure I saw it somewhere.

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 4:55 am

Nice shave from the prototype of the Mark II this am. Tomorrow I'll use the prototype of the original model. Then I think I shall have to complete the set...

Chris

Hawkeye5 · Post by **Hawkeye5** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:30 pm

I used mine just last night on three days growth. A fine shaving razor.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:30 am

Speaking of the Mark II, am I on the right track in thinking that the razor with the hand done jimps on the underside of the shank is the Mark II? Or is it the range of razors with the wooden scales, in general? Or something else entirely?

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:15 am

The prototypes don't have jimps, so I can't say (yet!) The mark II is polished rather than satin finish. Coloured scales weren't available initially, but are now.

Chris

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:44 am

I was wondering what a Mark II was.
It reminded me of this:

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:10 am

That has always been one of my favorite cars. The Mark II Lincoln is a massive car, but the design proportions are perfect.

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:34 am

Here are some images of the new seven day set:

This is all seven. The black-scaled version in the Sunday position is the prototype of the original model. The Saturday razor is the prototype MkII which is now fitted with walnut scales. The others are are all MkII razors with, on Monday, white man-made scales, Tuesday - maple scales, Wednesday - red oak scales, Thursday - oak scales, and Friday - walnut scales.

The front of each razor shows the Hart logo on the tang...

...and the reverse shows the initials of the grinder. TV, BG, and JA are present on these, whilst the prototype MkII says 'Prototype' and the MkI prototype says nothing at all on that side. A mixture of French and round points is apparent. You will also see some heavy oil on the blades, which is how they arrive. I'm sorry that the MkII reflected my red corduroy shirt, but there we are; it happens.

These are supremely good shavers and highly recommended.

Chris

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:48 am

Congratulations on owning this unique set of Harts. You're a lucky guy. I like the walnut. Do you know if the Mark II are available for sale yet?

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:11 pm

They have been on sale through Classic Shaving for some long while now - that's where I bought five of these last week.

Chris

cjc15153 · Post by **cjc15153** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:21 pm

drmoss_ca wrote:They have been on sale through Classic Shaving for some long while now - that's where I bought five of these last week.

So now you have a 7 day set of these.

Do you have 7 because 7 is the number that makes a set, or is there some practical (stropping, shaving, storage, etc.) disadvantage to rotating razor brands through the week?

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:27 pm

Two reasons:

Seven days in a week.

Because I can.

No other reason at all, and there is no harm in using a razor more frequently. You can hone one razor, used daily, every three months, or seven of them, used once a week, every 21 months. It works out just the same.

Chris

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:40 pm

drmoss_ca wrote:They have been on sale through Classic Shaving for some long while now - that's where I bought five of these last week.

Chris

Interesting. I've known that Harts were on that webstore, but didn't realilze there was a changeover to the Mark 2 at some point. The website just refers to them all together, without denoting MK 2 series, or polished vs. low sheen. Did you specify in your order that you wanted some high gloss and others without?

SMF

Hart?

Hart?

Sorry, slightly off topic, but . . .