Anyone heard of this French Razor

[Joe Edson]

I've been scouting eBay france to try and find a vintage hospital Le Grolet (success! but not what this thread is about).

Anyway, while browsing I couldn't pass up this worked backed razor. It is a Gilbert Raffin 13/16 with a nice peacock nickel inlay on the scales. Picked it up for $55 shipped.

Did Azmark's polishing with my dremel and honed her up with one layer of tape (didn't want any spine wear). Seller said shave ready, but inspecting under my microscope showed several microchips on the edge. I started at my DMT 600 then 1200 and used my fast cutting coti for the dulicot. Pulled out my best finishing coti and did about 80-100 laps on water (just get in the zone during this portion while watching TV). Used it for this evenings shave and it is one smooth shaver.

Here are some pics:

SOTD shot:

 

[ambrose]

idk but I bet its a sweet shaver

 

[azmark]

Wow what a looker.

I haven't heard of the maker but as long is it provides a comfortable shave then it's a winner!

 

[Joe Edson]

Thanks Jose and Mark!

I couldn't pass it up. After scoring my Le Grelot though I had to stop looking at eBay France. Too many good razors on there.

I couldn't believe the shape this one was in and think I got a pretty sweet deal. Usually don't like honing with tape, but there was no spine wear and I didn't want to be the first to put some on.

Decided lately that it is worth the extra $$ to buy razors that only need a good polishing and honing. I have too many eBay specials lying around that I haven't got to. Spent only about an hour or slightly longer cleaning this one up and honing.

 

[Leon]

After scoring my Le Grelot though I had to stop looking at eBay France. Too many good razors on there.

Yes, in general, French razors are good. There are many, many brands out there, it's practically impossible to id them.

 

[Munxcub]

I have too many eBay specials lying around that I haven't got to. Spent only about an hour or slightly longer cleaning this one up and honing.

Well if you need someone to take care of them, let me know. I'm just getting into it and am really enjoying the restoring.

 

[Joe Edson]

Well if you need someone to take care of them, let me know. I'm just getting into it and am really enjoying the restoring.

I enjoy the restoring as well, just don't have a lot of time these days. Need to tell myself to stop bidding on razors until I get these ones done.

 

[Luc]

Yes, in general, French razors are good. There are many, many brands out there, it's practically impossible to id them.

+1

I got a few French made straights over here and they are very nice. Between French, German and Sheffield, I would pick French first.

 

[Joe Edson]

+1

I got a few French made straights over here and they are very nice. Between French, German and Sheffield, I would pick French first.

I must admit after one use this has become one of my favorites - right up there with my Filly for shave enjoyment.

Unfortunately this had me browsing through eBay France again today and now there are about 10 razors on my watch list

 

[Luc]

I must admit after one use this has become one of my favorites - right up there with my Filly for shave enjoyment.

Unfortunately this had me browsing through eBay France again today and now there are about 10 razors on my watch list

Classic!

 

[azmark]

I must admit after one use this has become one of my favorites - right up there with my Filly for shave enjoyment.

Unfortunately this had me browsing through eBay France again today and now there are about 10 razors on my watch list

10? I don't believe it. Why don't you tell me which items just so I can believe you

That is a great score. I ran across a couple of no name French razors that only had either Thiers or some other French saying on them and they looked very nice. As you can probably tell I didn't land any of them.

 

[Joe Edson]

10? I don't believe it. Why don't you tell me which items just so I can believe you

That is a great score. I ran across a couple of no name French razors that only had either Thiers or some other French saying on them and they looked very nice. As you can probably tell I didn't land any of them.

Hmm, I would love to let you know which ones I'm watching, but then I would break the forum rules by linking auctions

To be honest, I probably won't do any bidding. I've got a belt sander and bench grinder on my list of stuff that 'needs' to be bought first.

Most of them are Le Grelot's anyway so they will probably go for a pretty penny.

Really lucked out on this one though. I saw the silver inlay, but didn't even notice the peacock until it arrive (what is it with peacocks on scales anyway - seems to be a ton of them). Got this at basically my max bid and after having it in hand I would have been pretty disappointed in missing out on it.

 

[azmark]

To be honest, I probably won't do any bidding. I've got a belt sander and bench grinder on my list of stuff that 'needs' to be bought first.

I hate when "needs" get in the way of the "wants." Like food and water always get in the way when I want more razors.

 

[dakotaev]

Very nice, I love the look of French blades.