Thread: Hart Steel Razor

Hart Steel is a brand new razor maker based in the US and has already generated some attention in the forum. I will say that I have only tried this particular blade which was sent to me as a test piece (read: not mine to keep).


The razor arrived in a deerskin pouch that is very soft and luxurious feeling. It didn't come with the promised hex wrench and I found that I needed it after the stropping as it became a little loose one tightening and it has been good during subsequent stropping and use. This particular blade is marked by the Artisan Technician (Hart Steel's term for razor-smith) TV.

Craftsmanship: My first impression of the razor was "wow, are these really synthetic scales?!" The polymer used to make the single-piece scales might as well be ebony. It has a slight wood grain impression that would be cheap looking on any other plastic, but is very nice on these scales as they do not appear nor feel cheap. The blade is very simple in shape with a slight smile that is almost imperceptible (more of a sly grin?) and a short shoulder that has been eased into the tang. The tang is a monster at 1 1/2" from the pivot and a full 3/8" near the scales. Aesthetically, this is a risk, but I like it okay looks wise. The blade is sold as a 6/8 quarter hollow round point but I would put this one at 13/16, 1/8 hollow, and I would call the point a muted spike. The blade is mounted to the single piece scales with a Hex sex-nut and has nylon spacer washers between the blade and scales. It closes perfectly in the center.





Balance: The large tang, heavy grind, and light scales give this razor a blade heavy balance. The effect is that it shaves heavier but I was able to adapt to this pretty well. I rated this a 7 as most folks find it important, but I don't really have an issue with the balance. I would say that this was surprising to me when I first picked it up, but that feeling went away pretty fast.

The Tang

Collectability: Who knows? It can't be very high now as they just started making them.

Price: My first impression was: At $239.99 plus shipping, this razor has a lot to prove. At this price point, it is competing against known brands with coveted scale materials such as horn and exotic hardwoods. But then I moved on to:

The Shave: Okay, so lets lather up and shave. I used some SRD glycerine soap, my Stephen's woodworking silvertip, and went to work on a softened beard of two days growth. This is when it all came home. My immediate thought on the first pass was: "I need to own this razor" The shave was an out-right 10. This thing gives my 13/16 WE a run for the money on mowing down whiskers.



Overall: I arranged to own this razor and now do. It literally showed up for me to test THIS MORNING. After the shave I fired off a volley of emails to profess that I wanted to own it and by this afternoon, I now do. I can't think of a better endorsement.

The looks of this razor are much more contemporary with a satin finished blade, new-school pivot hardware, and synthetic scales. That may not be for everyone, but those who like it (me included) will find that it feels high quality and artisan made to be sure.

Recent comments by other owners hint that not all of these blades may be as sterling as this one, but I have to say that I fully believe ClassicShaving and Hart Steel would stand behind their products. As I don't represent either company, check with them first. Knowing what I know now, I would say two things:

1. These guys are making a quality product by hand and doing so with pride.
2. I would recommend this razor highly based on the one I am holding. It is in my top 2 shaver list.

My advice? Go get yours now.

-Rob

I can't beleive it's not real wood! It looks like wood.

It feels remarkably like matte finished ebony.

If it were shoulderless I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Thanks for the review. I recall one member fairly recently asking if there were any new production razors in a wedge grind available anywhere and lamenting the fact that there were not. It appears now that they have their wish. I like the look of that grind very much.

Chris L

I didn't get a deer skin pouch, consequently I may not be able to sleep tonight. And I was so happy with my razor. Darn.

I know exactly what Rob is saying when after shaving with this razor how he 'needed to own this razor'.

I have one of the BG made Hart Steel Razors and am thrilled with the shave readiness that came with this 'production' razor.

It felt a lot like my Ellis Hybrid and handled a little better. The feel was so nice. I was worried about no jimps but I did not know that they were going to round the bottom of the shank for a very comfortable feel. It just feels like it is meant to be held. My Ellis is also very nice but has a much thinner shank and I prefer some heft to where I am holding onto the razor. This is similar to the TI Le Canadien having quite a wide area to grip.

Also like Rob mentioned the scales don't look like they are from the 'synthetic' family. Obviously they are no Buddel or Max exotic wood scales, but they are nice and fit the razor well. My only concern with one piece scales is the posibility for the scales to bend inward and make closing the razor a little more difficult. There is no such evidence that that will happen and I hope that it doesn't.

The edge that was provided didn't pass my arm hair test out of box. So, I did 100 laps on four different strops. 25 on Kanayama cloth, 25 on latigo, 20 on horshide and 30 on cordovan horsehide. The resulting edge was wicked.

The shave was exactly what I was expecting from the time Chris Moss informed us about the upcoming razor. A stiff feel and a keeness that is oh so smooth. No irritation and no nicks or weepers (actually I haven't seen any post-shave blood in a long while...knock on wood).

I would have to say that it feels and shaves a lot like my Le Canadien and my Ellis Stainless Hybrid. Hard steel and a stiff grind (TI is full hollow but feels much more rigid due to it's hard steel).

All in all I say that if Hart Steel keeps up the good work, they are looking at a repeat customer.

I am also glad that I got the leather sheath made by 'Mountain Mike'.

I want one.

Chris L

I would like to try one also.

I received and used this really great razor. I'm a user, not a collector, although I have five other straight razors in my stable, and two others that I practice honing with.

For me, the Hart Steel is the best balanced razor. The tang is a little longer and thicker, which makes the razor heavier between my thumb and forefingers. This makes it easier for me to hold and control. The square point on the cutting edge makes it very easy to shave at the base of the nostrils, or to nail individual "nomad" whiskers.

The craftsmanship is also top shelf. I wouldn't expect there to be a lot of decoration on the blade or the spine at this price, but this blade spine has a very gentle and beautiful wavy curve from the tip of the tang to the tip of the point. My point is also softly curved near the spine, rather than a square point there. Scales are not usually important to me, but the ebony and matte finish on the steel and the hardware assembling it all, give the razor a techno / modern look. I did receive a black deerskin pouch with mine, which compliments the razor. The cutting edge looks like it was ground with a laser beam - it is straight and uniform.

I'm so impressed with the razor, that I will probably order several as Christmas presents for close friends and relatives who are not yet straight enlightened. My guess is that they will acquire the bug, so the Hart Steel may become the first of their collections. I think the price is a bargain for the razor I have. Let me know when Hart Steel "goes public".

I have a very heavy beard that usually requires a minimum of two lathers before I'm close to BBS, and this razor got me there with less effort and more fun. I give it an overall 10!

RalphS