Looking at the thier issard and dovo sites from Mr Dempster's link, the alloy used in the T.I.s now seem noticeably richer and nicer than on the Dovos. Are the T.I.s now officially better, until further notice? I don't want to spend £110 but if its looking like this'll be a vintage to invest in, I might.
Is it official now then?
- Thread starter scottish steve
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Oh come oooon! I want an unequivocal statement! I want to feel justified in my ill-affordable and un-necessary purchase. 
My favorite razors are TIs.
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- #5
One thing I have gleaned from looking at the uk and rasage poulin site, is their distincitive arched spine and tang. My (departed) T.I. was exactly the same, even down to the "U" on the back.
I prefer the old TI's they keep digging up in their warehouses to the newer ones (including the carbonsong ones with the new dies and improved QC). The TI Pierre Thiers Limited Edition, the Egyptian Palmwood, the wide variety of heavy-spined 6/8ths, even with their well-known QC issues, all shave better IMO than the newer harder steels including the carbonsong generation with the improved QC.
In decreasing order of shave quality I'd rate the old TI's highest, then the Dovo Bergischer Lowe and Prima Klang, then pre-carbonsong TI's, then the carbonsong TIs. Hopefully the carbonsong razors will improve as TI learns more about heat treating the new steel, but I'm concerned that the increasing carbon content is driven solely by their knife business, and their razors are just tagging along for the ride.
One advantage of the new carbonsong steel is that it does get a sharper smoother edge using the TI honing paste, which is a relatively coarse 1 micron paste. Harder steel = shallower scratches = sharper and smoother edge. But I'd rather just use a finer honing substance and a silkier-feeling (though softer) steel. The really old TI's have a really wonderful feel, they have the wonderful smoothness of a good Sheffield razor with the incredible sharpness and light grind of a Solingen.
In decreasing order of shave quality I'd rate the old TI's highest, then the Dovo Bergischer Lowe and Prima Klang, then pre-carbonsong TI's, then the carbonsong TIs. Hopefully the carbonsong razors will improve as TI learns more about heat treating the new steel, but I'm concerned that the increasing carbon content is driven solely by their knife business, and their razors are just tagging along for the ride.
One advantage of the new carbonsong steel is that it does get a sharper smoother edge using the TI honing paste, which is a relatively coarse 1 micron paste. Harder steel = shallower scratches = sharper and smoother edge. But I'd rather just use a finer honing substance and a silkier-feeling (though softer) steel. The really old TI's have a really wonderful feel, they have the wonderful smoothness of a good Sheffield razor with the incredible sharpness and light grind of a Solingen.
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If my Silverwing is the new vangard in TI Razors my feeling is they can keep them. I simply don't like the feel of the razor and if you need to do major honing on them they are a real bear to work on. Even though in the end they shave great but so do many other razors.
I agree their vintage steel was the best but that's pretty much the case with all factory made razors.
I agree their vintage steel was the best but that's pretty much the case with all factory made razors.
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- #8
I find this all very depressing. Is everything just sh*t nowadays!? I just emailed Steve Dempster about a Petit Francais and now it looks like I'm better off with the vintage straights I've got!
Custom makers produce some awesome stuff... But thats not what you wanted to hear. 
Yeah...I don't buy new razors.
Yeah...I don't buy new razors.
The new carbonsong razors aren't sh*t. The QC really is miles better than the old razors, and that's a pretty significant improvement. They just don't feel as nice as the old razors.
The custom guys make nice razors, but they don't do the sort of full hollows that TI and Dovo produce as a matter of course. If you like wedges or half hollows then the custom route is great, but if you like full hollows then your options are pretty much reduced to TI, Dovo, and Wacker.
Actually, I wonder if what the carbonsong razors really need is just a bit more hollowing to take some of the weight and stiffness out of them...
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You think they might just need a few years' seasoning? You think it might be worth getting a Petit Francais? I do like the smaller blades and they look well-made.
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- #13
I'd prbably not go for another dovo, especially not online, due to the q.c.
Scottish Steve,
I got one of the new C135 TIs from Steve a few weeks ago, and shaved with it exclusively for two weeks to get the feel.
I think it is an excellent razor !! The fit and finish are both very good, and the edge under 50x magnification is excellent.
It is true that it feels different from other razors on the face; not bad, but different. The shave it gives me is however smooth, comfortable and close.
It has not yet needed a touch-up on a pasted strop, which my other razors would need after a two week usage
Best regards
Russ
I got one of the new C135 TIs from Steve a few weeks ago, and shaved with it exclusively for two weeks to get the feel.
I think it is an excellent razor !! The fit and finish are both very good, and the edge under 50x magnification is excellent.
It is true that it feels different from other razors on the face; not bad, but different. The shave it gives me is however smooth, comfortable and close.
It has not yet needed a touch-up on a pasted strop, which my other razors would need after a two week usage
Best regards
Russ
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- #15
I've definitel got my eye on this one.
Scottish Steve,
That is the TI I have ! The scales are really gorgeous
Best regards
Russ
That is the TI I have ! The scales are really gorgeous
Best regards
Russ
i hope you picked isaacrn's spartacus in the b/s/t
if not, i think you missed on a great opportunity.
i used to have a vintage one like his but decided to keep just a fancier horn covered tang version.
if not, i think you missed on a great opportunity.
i used to have a vintage one like his but decided to keep just a fancier horn covered tang version.
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- #18
Need to wait a couple of weeks then get it from the edge
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