Two weeks with a Harner CTS-XHP Wedge

Matthew Gregory

Matthew Gregory

Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
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Butch Harner was gracious enough to use me as a test mule for a prototype straight razor recently, and I thought it would be a good idea to report my findings. So far I've shaved with it three times, and after figuring out what this particular razor was asking from me, I've gotta tell ya it's the best damn shave I've EVER had, bar none.

His steel of choice for this is Carpenter CTS-XHP - I'm assuming he'll post here to extoll it's virtues, and so I won't bother going into the finer details - all I'll tell you is that I never touched this razor to anything other than my face. No stropping, nothing. Didn't need it. Smooth as glass from beginning to end.

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Pardon the hasty photo - time is something I haven't had much of, of late, and my light tent setup is in small pieces.

First thing that struck me about this beauty is that it's MASSIVE. I mean, gigantic. It's so heavy, I wasn't sure what the heck to do with it! That answered itself pretty quickly, however, as the moment I started with it I was astonished by how stable it felt. The only analogy I can come up with to explain it would be the similarity to a target rifle with a heavy barrel in comparison to a hunting rifle with a light, short barrel. After hefting the target model, the hunting rifle feels fast and whippy - not exactly what you're looking for when applying a razor to your face! It was totally apparent that this heaviness was a good thing, and became the catch phrase for my time with it. STABLE!!!!

My final shave with it was perfect. Perfect in every way. The weight of the razor was all that was necessary to make perfect passes, in any direction. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Even shaving the dreaded septum was a walk in the park, and I am loathe to pass this one on. I really don't want to give it up!!!!

Thanks for the opportunity Butch - I'll try and give you a call some time this week to figure out my next move, and I've got to hear the details on this steel. COMPLETELY impressed!!!!!
 
Good write up! I am very interested in getting my hands (hopefully no DNA, though!) on it. I have tried a few stainless western straights and have always been less than impressed, going back to my carbon steel razors. I have mentioned to Butch about trying this steel on a kamisori, I have a couple patterns laid out for different sizes, and just need to get some.

What soap/cream are you using?


-Xander
 
in the same way that a guy should post pics of the stuff he chopped with his new choppin' knife, I think you should post up some pics of that baby face of yours after a good turkish shave :)
 
That's a very handsome razor right there!!! if you can get time, some spec's/dimensions on it, certainly looks tuff !!!
G2
 
I highly doubt we'll win any converts if I show my ugly mug here, Lorien! ; )

Xander, I've been using Mama Bear soaps for the last year or so. Used to use nothing but Castle & Forbes, but it's so darn expensive. My results were better with C&F, there's no question, but it really boiled down to $6 a tub versus $45 a tub. Just couldn't justify it, although it was WAY nicer to use.

Gary, I'm hoping Butch will chime in with the details, As obviously no one could answer that better than him!
 
well i remember its a 7/8 but i cant off hand remember the length (maybe UNIT can list the specs as he is next up to bat)
so some other specs are its harened to 61rc (give or take a point ) was ground on the 10 inch wheel
the XHP is powder steel with the most up to date powder tec with ultra fine powder (alot of steel smelters have duped you into the 1st 2nd and 3rd gen powder when its more down to what size they deside to spec for the grade of steel)
since i have been on the tour at latrobe with Carpenter steel (they now own latrobe) i along with a few other great makers/legends got to see first hand how the powder is made and how they screen out the grades (including them pouring the liquid steel into the N gas powder chamber )
with this alloy having been specs with xfine powder and not having alot of "extra" alloys (there are a few for grain controls ) it grinds smooth and easy even after HT. also due to not having lots of extra carbide formers it can easily get to the 1 micron or less edge needed for a smooth shave.

first thing you find out after your first HT is that you think you didnt get it hard (it just grinds so well ) and then you have it tested and its spot on with what the data sheet tells you it should be. then you just think oo great its never going to be an edge holder if it grinds this nicely (you would again be wrong) the edge holding while not in the high V alloy range is nearly if not the same as cpm154 (in the apps i use them in). in alot of ways i am glad i have worked with ZDP189 as in some ways it works and grinds the sam way (as if way softer then the hardness it truely is)
if you muddled through this post and have more ? i am much better to talk with. PM me and we can get a time or good day to drop me a line on the phone
 
Very nice Lloyd - and thanks for the peek Matt. I do wish I could summon the courage to use a straight razor.
 
you're worried about draggin a razor across your face? What could possibly go wrong?
;)
 
and the funny part is that many people that want to try it want a 5/8 size but in fact getting the razor at a good angl to your face is way easier witha 7/8 (its not liek one is more sharp then the other )
 
Lorien said:
you're worried about draggin a razor across your face? What could possibly go wrong?
;)
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Scarier still is what you guys are paying for crummy Gillette Sensor Mach SixtyFive Ultra Super Premium Deluxe razors that suck, give you a bad shave and seem to spawn ingrown hairs right at the corners of your mouth!

The horror.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Scarier still is what you guys are paying for crummy Gillette Sensor Mach SixtyFive Ultra Super Premium Deluxe razors that suck, give you a bad shave and seem to spawn ingrown hairs right at the corners of your mouth!

The horror.
Click to expand...

+1 never having to throw away your blades is the ultimate in cost savings.


-X
 
It's only been a couple of days, and I'm really pissed off that I had to send this razor away.

Cracking good job, Butchie. No clue how I'm going to get one of these, but it's pretty apparent that I gotta.
 
matt i sure understand as i have put off sending a batch to classicshaving.com so i have a XHP razor to shave with a few more days while my house/ passaround razor makes its rounds
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Scarier still is what you guys are paying for crummy Gillette Sensor Mach SixtyFive Ultra Super Premium Deluxe razors that suck, give you a bad shave and seem to spawn ingrown hairs right at the corners of your mouth!

The horror.
Click to expand...

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Butch, can you remind me again where I can buy these Harnazors?
 
classicshaving.com is my contracted dealer and we are working on maybe offering my work at one other shop (Canadian for a bit more market coverage)
i jsut got the first post about the razor from the 2nd tester and its been surprising to him since he has never like SS till this razor (he will be keepig me updated one edge holding )
 
So are you contracted to only sell through them, no direct sales? Anyways, I guess the nitty gritty details aren't warranted here, but I would love to get a razor from you in a custom design. I can't wait to try this one out soon!


-Xander
 
i can take custom orders but they get feed throught classic and they are only contracted for my razors all other knives are open (i have 2 other retailers but no agreements tho i woudl be silly to under cut any of my retailers)
 
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