----------Hohner Blues Harp:
-(**___) overall: This is the harmonica I own that I don't enjoy playing. The redeeming quality is the Blues Harp sounds very good, enough to compete with any harmonica in its price range. However the metal covers protrude and are sharp on the lips, making it simply too uncomfortable to be any good.
-(****_) Sound: Excellent. This is the strength of the Blues Harp. Sounds as good as any great harmonica in this price range.
-(*____) Comfort: The most uncomfortable harmonica I have played, bad enough that I make sure to stay away. This is a thick harmonica, but the problem is with the coverplates protruding over the wood comb. This means the lips press and slide against two sharp pieces of metal, creating increasing discomfort the longer the harmonica is played.
-(**___) Playability: The protruding coverplates make it harder to get a tight seal. The wood comb is not smooth and the holes have sharp edges, so the harmonica does not slide smoothly. The positive note is I didn't have excessive gapping issues with any individual reeds or any being excessively out of tune (I test all my harmonicas with a tuner)
-(**___) Durability: Durability is the weakness of Hohner overall, no surprise here.
-(***__ Aesthetics): Perfectly average. Looks similar to a marine band. Does not have the appeal of a Suzuki.

-----------Comparison with other mid-price Harmonicas (lowest to highest score)
--(**___ overall) Hohner Big River: Nothing memorable. It's perfectly fine but there's no reason to buy it over the Special 20 (the $ savings is minimal). Unlike the Special 20 it has a wood comb, but if you want a wood comb buy a Marine Band.
--(***__ overall) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic: The longtime favorite of many players, undisputed best for decades and, in my opinion, still the best wood-comb harmonica at the mid-price range. Many pros still use it, but don't be fooled, they are likely to be custom-assembled custom-tuned custom-polished. At mid-price range it has my (slightly) favorite sound, but the Special 20 and Lee Oskar are significantly more comfortable and their holes are easier for a beginner to single out.
--(****_ Overall) Hohner Special 20: This and the Lee Oskar are the best in terms of comfort and ease of play. The plastic comb protrudes, making it extremely comfortable and smooth to use. The sound is great. Durability is terrible. The case is more durable than the Lee Oskar one.
--(****_ Overall) Lee Oskar Major Diatonic: Excellent harmonica, extremely comfortable, great sound. Just as good as the Special 20. In fact, the two are so similar I struggle to find a meaningful difference. The Lee Oskar feels slightly thicker on the lips because of the way the coverplates are rounded. Ultimately I chose the Lee Oskar: It has a better reputation for durability, so at this price range it is my preferred harmonica. One downside is the plastic case can break within a month from normal daily opening/closing.

---------- High end Harmonicas:
--(***** Overall) Suzuki Firebreath, Suzuki Promaster, Suzuki Olive, Seydel Noble: Amazing. All of these are better than the mid-priced harmonicas reviewed above. However they are not cheap, so I recommend the Lee Oskar as a first harmonica until you decide you're going to stick with the instrument. Even if you're "sure" you'll stick, I still recommend starting with the Lee Oskar because beginners are more likely to misuse and break their harmonicas, and so you get the pleasure of looking forward to and appreciating your future upgrade.
--(*****The Best*****) Antony Dannecker Optimus (custom harmonica): Simply the best, comes at a price. Antony is great and very available if you want to discuss any particular tweaks to your custom harmonica. Off-the-shelf can't compare.

----------Note on the 2-draw:
1-2-star reviews often complain their 2-draw was broken from day one. The 2-draw most likely is not broken, it is simply a very difficult note for beginners to play.

----------Note on which key to buy first:
--Start with a key of C.
This is the accepted standard since most beginner songs and lessons will all be in C. One harmonica is fine as a beginner.
--Then: A, D, G
A is common in blues and country. D is also common. G is often used when playing along with guitar.
--Then Bb, F, E,... here is gets more debatable

---------- If any edit would improve the review quality/thoroughness/clarity write me a comment.
----------Hohner Blues Harp:
-(**___) overall: This is the harmonica I own that I don't enjoy playing. The redeeming quality is the Blues Harp sounds very good, enough to compete with any harmonica in its price range. However the metal covers protrude and are sharp on the lips, making it simply too uncomfortable to be any good. -(****_) Sound: Excellent. This is the strength of the Blues Harp. Sounds as good as any great harmonica in this price range. -(*____) Comfort: The most uncomfortable harmonica I have played, bad enough that I make sure to stay away. This is a thick harmonica, but the problem is with the coverplates protruding over the wood comb. This means the lips press and slide against two sharp pieces of metal, creating increasing discomfort the longer the harmonica is played. -(**___) Playability: The protruding coverplates make it harder to get a tight seal. The wood comb is not smooth and the holes have sharp edges, so the harmonica does not slide smoothly. The positive note is I didn't have excessive gapping issues with any individual reeds or any being excessively out of tune (I test all my harmonicas with a tuner)
-(**___) Durability: Durability is the weakness of Hohner overall, no surprise here. -(***__ Aesthetics): Perfectly average. Looks similar to a marine band. Does not have the appeal of a Suzuki. -----------Comparison with other mid-price Harmonicas (lowest to highest score)
--(**___ overall) Hohner Big River: Nothing memorable. It's perfectly fine but there's no reason to buy it over the Special 20 (the $ savings is minimal). Unlike the Special 20 it has a wood comb, but if you want a wood comb buy a Marine Band. --(***__ overall) Hohner Marine Band 1896 Classic: The longtime favorite of many players, undisputed best for decades and, in my opinion, still the best wood-comb harmonica at the mid-price range. Many pros still use it, but don't be fooled, they are likely to be custom-assembled custom-tuned custom-polished. At mid-price range it has my (slightly) favorite sound, but the Special 20 and Lee Oskar are significantly more comfortable and their holes are easier for a beginner to single out. --(****_ Overall) Hohner Special 20: This and the Lee Oskar are the best in terms of comfort and ease of play. The plastic comb protrudes, making it extremely comfortable and smooth to use. The sound is great. Durability is terrible. The case is more durable than the Lee Oskar one. --(****_ Overall) Lee Oskar Major Diatonic: Excellent harmonica, extremely comfortable, great sound. Just as good as the Special 20. In fact, the two are so similar I struggle to find a meaningful difference. The Lee Oskar feels slightly thicker on the lips because of the way the coverplates are rounded. Ultimately I chose the Lee Oskar: It has a better reputation for durability, so at this price range it is my preferred harmonica. One downside is the plastic case can break within a month from normal daily opening/closing. ---------- High end Harmonicas:
--(***** Overall) Suzuki Firebreath, Suzuki Promaster, Suzuki Olive, Seydel Noble: Amazing. All of these are better than the mid-priced harmonicas reviewed above. However they are not cheap, so I recommend the Lee Oskar as a first harmonica until you decide you're going to stick with the instrument. Even if you're "sure" you'll stick, I still recommend starting with the Lee Oskar because beginners are more likely to misuse and break their harmonicas, and so you get the pleasure of looking forward to and appreciating your future upgrade. --(*****The Best*****) Antony Dannecker Optimus (custom harmonica): Simply the best, comes at a price. Antony is great and very available if you want to discuss any particular tweaks to your custom harmonica. Off-the-shelf can't compare. ----------Note on the 2-draw:
1-2-star reviews often complain their 2-draw was broken from day one. The 2-draw most likely is not broken, it is simply a very difficult note for beginners to play. ----------Note on which key to buy first:
--Start with a key of C. This is the accepted standard since most beginner songs and lessons will all be in C. One harmonica is fine as a beginner. --Then: A, D, G
A is common in blues and country. D is also common. G is often used when playing along with guitar. --Then Bb, F, E,... here is gets more debatable

---------- If any edit would improve the review quality/thoroughness/clarity write me a comment.