Thiers Issard treasure or trash?

[toccosupreme]

So I wanted to get into restoration and looked at some vintage razors on eBay and Etsy, as well as some estate sale sites. The majority of what I saw was garbage with major chips cracks rusting pitting and the prices varied from $5 to $200 for some of the unfixables.

I came across this razor which claims to be ivory (which I honestly don’t know but don’t believe it is). It doesn’t seem to be in too bad of shape to me, but I’m brand new at this so I’m wondering if I got ripped off. I paid $60 for it which was probably a little crazy and even crazier was the $20 shipping from France.

I’ve copied and pasted the description below.

Razor, Collection Cabbage Cup, Brand Thiers Issard, Hand Forged Steel, 30s, France, Super Gift
Very beautiful and old "cup cabbage" collection.
This is a model No. 1196 6/8 of French manufacture of the 30s, and brand Grelot Thiers -Issard.
The material for the chasses = ivory horn
The razor wire is in very good condition; some bites.
Inscription = French razor
Hidden Sounding Extra Guaranteed
All words engraved on the blade are engraved.
The design on the handle is inlaid metal.
Perfect for a discerning collector, but also, can be used to shave very closely.
Dimensions: total length = 25 cm
width of the blade = 21 mm
razor weight = 53 g

Honest opinion, what do you guys think?

 

[toccosupreme]

I don’t know why this picture didn’t post, but this is another picture.

 

[M14Shooter]

Looks good to me .Very light hone wear.Have her honed and she how she shaves.I have a similar razor and she shaves wonderfully .

 

[global_dev]

looks good to me

 

[toccosupreme]

What do you guys think about the ivory. Is it ivory IYO?

 

[totorlekiller]

What do you guys think about the ivory. Is it ivory IYO?

No. Not even bone. I am pretty sure this is faux ivory.
Still not a bad deal for a TI in that condition.

 

[global_dev]

i dont think its ivory or horn. but you would need better pics close up.

 

[M14Shooter]

Hard to tell if its Ivory from the pics .Ivory scales tend to be thinner than bone or man made materials.

 

[toccosupreme]

I’m with you guys that it’s probably not ivory. But a man can dream.

After some research and online translations, I’m thinking that the etching translates to “extra hollow singing guaranteed”. I can’t see the shape of the grind from the pictures but when I receive it I will be updating more pictures to see what you guys think.

 

[KW Driver]

I'm going to say no to the ivory. I've never seen any with inlays or bolsters for that matter. certainly not a factory ivory.

it's at least a full hollow, if not extra hollow. if you look at the stabilizer, you'll notice a double dish to the hollowing of the blade. that's usually a good indicator of at least a full hollow.

I think $60 is fine for that condition. I'd clean up the bit of active rust you have, not worry about the non-active staining, and hone and go with it.

 

[ajduplessis]

very nice buy

 

[dundak]

Scales are probably horn. It is not a Grelot but a TI in a Grelot coffin. The razor was made post 1953 since the Sonnant Extra etch was not trademarked by TI until then. Still make a great shaver so enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toccosupreme]

Thanks guys. I’d love to research this blade a bit more but google has not been my friend. Neither has Wikipedia. Anybody have any other sources to learn from?

 

[Doc226]

That is a nice razor, definitely not ivory or horn, those are plastic

 

[ffourteen]

Those vintage TIs are awesome shavers

 

[toccosupreme]

TI was delivered today! It is beautiful but definitely needs some cleaning and some love. It was definitely a TI 1196 in a Grelot box, but there was a little piece of paper wedged way down in the bottom of the box. Definitely was a good idea to pry that little sucker out.

 

[Brutus]

Now I recognize the blade.

Shaved with one of those the other day.
Sublime...

Hope that yours turns out the same way.



B.

 

[Psusocr]

I love my T.I

 

[ffourteen]

Very cool

 

[str8six]

Good choice, you'll be glad you went through with it. Having tried some like that made me regret starting with a new production one, a well preserved vintage like this is way better value for the performance not even counting the cool factor for being so old.