Le Grelot-like Thiers Issard 1/4 to 1/2 hollow

[jkh]

I'm surprised there isn't much (any?) discussion on these razors? There was a thread posted about the 1/2 hollow Le Grelot-like TIs (pic) a few months ago (link), but I wasn't able to find a thread about the 1/2 to 1/4 hollow TIs (pic) that Martin at rasurpur.de is now offering.

Does anyone have one? I ordered one yesterday because curiosity got the better of me.

 

[professorchaos]

Excellent news! I can't wait to hear your report. I really like their new steel - it may be a bear to hone but takes and holds a great edge.

If I didn't have a similar historique TI, I'd be all over this one.

 

[johnmrson]

I'm actually not a huge fan of the modern TI's. Give me vintage TI's or Le Grelots anyday. I had a modern TI and sold it as it really didn't shave anywhere near as good as the vintage ones. I do have another modern TI in the post but it's one that has a ding in the end so buying it was more about seeing if I can successfully turn it into a French Point than anything else.

I got a vintage Le Grelot "The Lord Barber" in the post yesterday and I reckon it will shave rings around any modern TI.

YMMV.

 

[jkh]

It seems that folks either love or hate TI's new forging Carbonsong C135.

 

[joshmpdx]

Put me down for in the love them camp.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts Jeremy. Ordering from Martin is such a treat, just to shave off his hone job.

 

[Woodash]

It seems that folks either love or hate TI's new forging Carbonsong C135.

Put me down for in the love them camp.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts Jeremy. Ordering from Martin is such a treat, just to shave off his hone job.

Put me down for . I'm still undecided.

I've had a TI C135 for many months now and originally found it a bit harsh. I eventually rehoned it more to my liking and while it really does shave very well, I still find the edge to be a little more 'crisp' as they say, than I like - even compared to other razors of ~similar size and grind. But it's very hard to tell if it's actually the steel or something else contributing to this crispiness.

I'd love to try one of the LeGrelots and one of the ~1/4 grind LeGrelot-like, but it's a tough call. I've grown to prefer the full hollows in most cases, but a ~1/4 grind or stiffer would be fine as well. Anyone have any thoughts on this:
Le Grelot (carbon, ~3/4 hollow) vs. Le Grelot-like (C135, ~1/4 hollow)?

 

[huracan]

WWoww! gulp! Those are nice.

I have a couple of c135's that I've found I like the edges when touched with a felt paddle infused with .5 micron diamond spray. I'm talking 5 laps at the most and it seems to work pretty well.

 

[Leon]

I'm surprised there isn't much (any?) discussion on these razors? There was a thread posted about the 1/2 hollow Le Grelot-like TIs (pic) a few months ago (link), but I wasn't able to find a thread about the 1/2 to 1/4 hollow TIs (pic) that Martin at rasurpur.de is now offering.

Does anyone have one? I ordered one yesterday because curiosity got the better of me.

Well, I have the Le Grelot quarter grind and love it.
Recently I grabbed a heavy grind (similar to Le Grelot's) vintage TI, restored it (pic) and I love it too.

 

[professorchaos]

It seems that folks either love or hate TI's new forging Carbonsong C135.

They are one of the more difficult razors to get dialed in - I was relatively underwhelmed with mine for quite some time. Kept at trying to get the edge right and finally did. It was very much worth the effort.

 

[superbleu]

WWoww! gulp! Those are nice.

I have a couple of c135's that I've found I like the edges when touched with a felt paddle infused with .5 micron diamond spray. I'm talking 5 laps at the most and it seems to work pretty well.

Lou, what was your progression before you used the diamond spray paddle strop?

 

[mouscacha]

Put me down for . I'm still undecided.

I've had a TI C135 for many months now and originally found it a bit harsh. I eventually rehoned it more to my liking and while it really does shave very well, I still find the edge to be a little more 'crisp' as they say, than I like - even compared to other razors of ~similar size and grind. But it's very hard to tell if it's actually the steel or something else contributing to this crispiness.

I'd love to try one of the LeGrelots and one of the ~1/4 grind LeGrelot-like, but it's a tough call. I've grown to prefer the full hollows in most cases, but a ~1/4 grind or stiffer would be fine as well. Anyone have any thoughts on this:
Le Grelot (carbon, ~3/4 hollow) vs. Le Grelot-like (C135, ~1/4 hollow)?

Definitely got the "crisp" factor with my C135. My Le grelot full hollow is still my favorite, even over my 1/4 grind...

 

[Woodash]

Definitely got the "crisp" factor with my C135. My Le grelot full hollow is still my favorite, even over my 1/4 grind...

Food for thought. Thanks for the helpful info.

 

[huracan]

LOL, now that I'm at a full size computer (and not on my phone), I see these are the same blades as before, just ground thicker. They looked longer without the goldwash .

Pictures! Pictures!....when you receive it J.

Lou, what was your progression before you used the diamond spray paddle strop?

I have a 5/8 AOS branded, that I bought used and initially put through a normal coti dilucot and finished on a C12k with 50 passes (normally I do 30). The shave was weird in that it "felt" unimpressive but the end shave was very good after my regular 2 passes and touch up. Did another 50 passes on the C12k and the result was exactly the same. I put it away and tried it again after I got the paddle ( a TM 4 side that has one side with wool felt instead of leather) and the improvement was very noticeable in the feel against the skin.

The other is a 6/8 I got from Martin some time ago, came shave ready of course and shaved very well. That one I just took to the paddle for a refresh, 5 licks on the older TI paste on leather and another 5 on the diamond felt and it's back to shaving nice. They both feel the same against the skin when tuned this way.

 

[jkh]

Anyone have any thoughts on this:
Le Grelot (carbon, ~3/4 hollow) vs. Le Grelot-like (C135, ~1/4 hollow)?

Not yet. I have a 3/4 hollow carbon Le Grelot and it is just sweet; the edge is buttery. The blade is quite stiff and shoulder-less! I had a real hard time not adding another one of these blades to the shopping cart at rasurpur.de

 

[Woodash]

Not yet. I have a 3/4 hollow carbon Le Grelot and it is just sweet; the edge is buttery. The blade is quite stiff and shoulder-less! I had a real hard time not adding another one of these blades to the shopping cart at rasurpur.de

Thanks for the info, Jeremy. I'm kind of leaning in the 3/4-full direction myself. Much as I enjoy a good Sheffield 1/4 or wedge, it's the full hollows lately that I've really been enjoying the most.

 

[cbird]

According to the Rasurpur. Website, the blades are the same (he describes the 1/2 hollow version as "approximately" 1/2 hollow). I have the 1/2 hollow model, which I bought from Martin, and it is great. I also have the silvering and dreadnought historical and love them all, but the 1/2 hollow is beginning to edge out the others in my affection. It does keep great edge and is very ergonomic. I definitely life it better than my historical 6/8" Le Grelot, but never cottoned to that one, anyway. I can't imagine someone not loving this new TI.

 

[Woodash]

According to the Rasurpur. Website, the blades are the same (he describes the 1/2 hollow version as "approximately" 1/2 hollow). I have the 1/2 hollow model, which I bought from Martin, and it is great. I also have the silvering and dreadnought historical and love them all, but the 1/2 hollow is beginning to edge out the others in my affection. It does keep great edge and is very ergonomic. I definitely life it better than my historical 6/8" Le Grelot, but never cottoned to that one, anyway. I can't imagine someone not loving this new TI.

Interesting. The historical 6/8 Le Grelot is 'normal' carbon steel (3/4 to full) and the new Le Grelot is C135 (~1/2 grind). I'm curious as to what it is that you find more appealing about the 1/2 hollow....is it the grind or the steel (or something else)? Thx.

EDIT: The reason I ask is because I've got a TI 6/8 C135 (~3/4) hollow that just feels kind of 'stiff'I I don't know if it's the steel or what, but it's not really to my liking.

 

[cbird]

I think I have the same 6/8 razor and also felt it was stiff (a good shaver, but not a favorite - mine has black plastic scales). My historical Le Grelot just seems a little big to me, both long and wide, also seems to have sort of a dead feel to it. the new Le Grelot style has a pleasant solid and reassuring feel. It's smaller size makes it easier to control with precision and the moderately hefty feel seems to hold it on check from getting ahead of me. I love the dreadnought and think it is much better than the historical Le Grelot. The Silverwing is smallish, like the new Le Grelot style, but I do not like the feel of the edge as well because it is a full hollow. Full hollow blades tend to feel almost quivery to me, but the Silverwing feels this way less so than other full hollows I have used (such as my Dovo's).

 

[Woodash]

I think I have the same 6/8 razor and also felt it was stiff (a good shaver, but not a favorite - mine has black plastic scales). My historical Le Grelot just seems a little big to me, both long and wide, also seems to have sort of a dead feel to it. the new Le Grelot style has a pleasant solid and reassuring feel. It's smaller size makes it easier to control with precision and the moderately hefty feel seems to hold it on check from getting ahead of me. I love the dreadnought and think it is much better than the historical Le Grelot. The Silverwing is smallish, like the new Le Grelot style, but I do not like the feel of the edge as well because it is a full hollow. Full hollow blades tend to feel almost quivery to me, but the Silverwing feels this way less so than other full hollows I have used (such as my Dovo's).

That's pretty much how I would chararacterize it as well. I do like the full hollows though. Thanks for the info.

 

[mouscacha]

That's pretty much how I would chararacterize it as well. I do like the full hollows though. Thanks for the info.

I agree, too. Probably why I like my full hollows; both the shoulderless and regular design in full hollow. I still like the shoulder since it keeps the spent shaving cream on the blade instead of my finger... But that's just me going overboard!