Thread: HART Razor

Has anyone communicated with Hart about these problems? I"m curious what their response is

I haven't. But I'm hoping at some point that they or someone representing them that has strong business acumen, excellent communication skills and a level head will join SRP much like Ardennes Coticule has, The Well Shaved Gentleman, the outstanding soap vendors and the boutique razor vendors have. IMO open dialogue directly with the demographic you're trying to attract would be a good move in the long run. Maybe it's a bit risky if such a vendor ends up having to defend their product rather than let the product evolve well and improve, but that's where the acumen, communication and cool and level head come in. For what it's worth, being an armchair razor maker if it were me, I wouldn't budge a bit in my price because those who would be watching my product with interest if the price was lowered would probably never think the price would be low enough (human nature); but I certainly would open communication with my demographic and modify my product in ways that would appeal to them being as smart and creative as possible to keep such changes as cost effective as possible.

Chris L

I have measured my razor.

• Spine = 0.189"
• Width average = 0.765"

The angle thus (without tape) = 14.28"

I personally do not know about the angle causing the breakdown of the edge but really and truly, I don't care. If it is breaking down Hart will get some correspondence from me and I will get the ball rolling and see what comes of it.

I will not use 2 or 3 or 4 layers of tape on the razor to hone it. One is fine with me and really is a good thing to do for the razor in the long run but any more than that, not going to happen!

Thanks guys,
Richard

Originally Posted by khaos

We shall see.

Yes but for now we will speculate ad nauseum

Originally Posted by ChrisL

For what it's worth, being an armchair razor maker if it were me, I wouldn't budge a bit in my price, but I certainly would open communication with my demographic and modify my product in ways that would appeal to them being as smart and creative as possible to keep such changes as cost effective as possible.

Chris L

I'm not necessarily asking them to drop the price- I'm asking them to increase the value/bang for your buck (which can be done by dropping price). It would be nice to see at least a few embellishments seen on higher end razors. To start off, satin does it for some, but for example, the only razors I own with a satin finish are 50+ years old and I its cus I haven't polished them....

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Yes but for now we will speculate ad nauseum

Of course. What else can I do in class?

Originally Posted by khaos

I'm not necessarily asking them to drop the price- I'm asking them to increase the value/bang for your buck (which can be done by dropping price). It would be nice to see at least a few embellishments seen on higher end razors. To start off, satin does it for some, but for example, the only razors I own with a satin finish are 50+ years old and I its cus I haven't polished them....



Of course. What else can I do in class?

See, different strokes. I much prefer satin finish to mirror.

Chris L

So then options... Dovo doesn't just sell the "Dovo". Wacker doesn't just sell the "Wacker". TI doesn't just sell the "TI". See where this is going?

I know I've read praise for the satin, but I've also heard qualms. It seems like a very very simple design change and they could be selling two models and reaching twice as many customers... just as I said earlier about Dovo charging an ungodly $70 for a snakewood scale upgrade, and people BUYING it (FOOLS!!!!) if you give people options they are more willing to buy. I realise this is a start up and that may not be economical, but mirror polishing seems easy enough to accomplish with a buffing wheel (which I sadly cannot afford) so I feel its safe to assume that buffing a brand new razor shouldn't add too much man-hours to the equation... They could even say, charge a $20 premium for one. Or cut the price of the other one $20. (Both would actually increase sales- one by establishing a "superior" product- and stimulating the collectors/show-offers to spend more, the other creating a "cheap" option that more easily hooks people who say "I want an entry level Hartsteel!"- one needs more than one to have an "entry level" razor...)

Edit:
Glancing through the forums, not many people say simply "I love my TI" or "I love my Dovo" (except of course when referring to brand quality). I far more often see, I love my TI this and that with a _/8s ____ hollow grind and this and that gold etching and the ___________ scales.

Karl, can I ask...why are you so passionate about this?

NO idea. I'll stop I guess. Sorry I hijacked the thread... its part excitement and wanting the company to succeed, and part sticker shock, and part RAD (and probably part email notifications from SRD- ie easy way to procrastinate is to respond right away... ). If I had funds I would've bought one to play with instantly but such is life...

Sorry guys I'll zip my lips.

I haven't posted in this thread in a while, but I'd say that the number of people who have put their money where their mouth is is fairly low.
I am much more interested in their view beacuse they have an actual experience.

I can make my own judgment on price, value, profit margins, aesthetics, etc., and none of the posts by those who haven't used the razor has changed it to the slightest.