What is similar to Le Grelot 1/4 hollow?

[gumbo]

Well gents, I have posted on the WTB that I want a Le Grelot 1/4 hollow, - I have the cash, but nobody seems to want to give up such a legendary razor
That being said, is there anything of equal quality and similar price range ($200-350) that is both 1/4 hollow, 6/8 and gorgeous? I saw the Heribert Wacker's Spanish points, but Joel's review is a bummer in that regard. I feel like eventually I'll have to post a "Name your price, and I'll buy one" thread, Smoothy's $430 dollar post is looking more tempting given the unavailability of this blank/grind.
Also, if you have one, what price would you unload it for? I'd like to get a guage of real market value.
I am talking about either the plastic-scaled, ebony-scaled, pink ivory scaled, or B&B version.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[huracan]

The 1/4 grind LeGrelots come up every so often, so it is a matter of patience. A WTB and making an announcement just like you're doing now is probably the best approach, it may just nudge someone on the fence about letting go of theirs.

I think Joel's evaluation of his had more to do with the experience he had from the vendor. He had a decidedly flawed specimen but I have read about other Wacker owners experience and most seem to be happy with their purchase FWIW. However, I have not seen the same kind of adulation you see from LeGrelots owners.

There are some TI 1/2 grinds available by some vendors, but that's about it.

Maybe that's part of the mystique, there really is not another brand-new razor out there that resembles it. It is my secret impression the new Hart razor was trying to tap into a sort of 1/4 grind demand (in the shavemyface original post about them, Zowada even says that it is the most requested grind for his custom razors). Now, of course there is more to a razor besides what grind it carries and the jury is still out about the Hart razors at the moment.

To be honest, once you get that itch about a particular razor, there is no other way to appease it other than to get what you're looking for. So good luck. As for price, it is really, really hard to predict, they are so highly regarded and just became unavailable, but as you mention Smoothy's didn't sell at his price, so....

 

[leighton]

I think Joel's review, while honest and valuable, is only a tiny sampling of Wacker's true work. It definitely sounds like Joel got a bad razor, and that is not indicative of Wacker's normal production. That said, Wacker's not cheap, otherwise I would have bought one.

I would sell my Grelot for $300 because I've got custom scales on it and there a pit in it.

Try LR Harner, you might find his prices to be within your budget. Shaves pretty similar to my Grelot. Speaking of which, need to do that writeup I promised... I'll shave again and do it tomorrow or something.

 

[mparker762]

If you want a quarter hollow le grelot that badly then you won't be able to scratch that itch with a substitute. Buying something else simply means you'll buy that and next le grelot to come along.

eventually I'll have to post a "Name your price, and I'll buy one" thread.

That's probably the fastest way to get one. Patience works too, but is a bit more frustrating.

 

[gumbo]

OK, update:

At this point I'm sure you all believe that being as this is a thread within the B&B forum that this by default assured a solution to my painful itch.

Correct, of course.

Now I'm not sure at this point exactly how this is going to turn out, but I am predicting fairly soon I will be posting triumphantly.

 

[Hawkeye5]

There are other French razors that are quarter hollow also. I have a Lotus that is a 7/8ths quarter hollow; it looks just like a Le Grelot although I don't think it was made by them.

 

[professorchaos]

I've a Wacker that I am quite pleased with. The feel is different than that of a Grelot 1/4 hollow - the steel seems to be quite a bit harder. It does shave quite well. Thanks for reminding me that I haven't used it in a while!

To answer your question, if I were going to look for a replacement for mine Le Grelot, I'd probably look for a 6/8 quarter hollow made from Sheffield steel.

 

[gumbo]

I am now the proud owner of a 1/4 Hollow LG. Not just "I bought one", but I literally am looking at it right now in the steel.

I am no writer, and therefore cannot adequately describe the service and friendliness, as well as more-than-necessary courtesy extended to me by 44Whiskas (Andy).
Within an hour of my initial post he had offered me the razor. I had received extensions of generosity by Ambrose and Seraphim as well. I hope they don't mind my mentioning that.

Anyway, Andy was nice enough to hasten my decision by dropping his already more-than-fair price without provocation to "cost plus a breakfast sandwich" for a fellow Bostonian. Next, he offered to ship or to meet me in person, as he took the time to look up my location and thought that may be a better solution. I offered to drive out to him, but then he offered to meet me within 3 minutes of my apartment , TONIGHT, on the way to dinner with a friend of his.

I met him, had a great conversation about blades, strops, and his other hobby, hand-tooled woodwork (to which he may have convinced me to take up, by the way). The razor was as described, neatly packaged, and complete. Utterly beautiful.

It is now 8:49, approximately 5 hours since I posted, and I have a beautiful razor - a discontinued razor, no less - sitting comfortably in my own living room, ready to cut my whiskers tomorrow...47 of which I dedicate to Andy.

New, quarter hollow LG delivered within 5 hours, free shipping. I dare you to find that offer anywhere on the web besides Badger and Blade.

Thank you forum, thank you Seraphim, thank you Ambrose (who will be custom making some sexy scales for this beast soon) and of course, thank you Andy. This is truly a hangout for gentlemen.

 

[mdunn]

fantastic story - this is why B&B is so good.

 

[kicker245]

Absolutely incredible! You'd be hard-pressed to find a group of guys more accomodating, pleasant, and gentlemanly than the guys at B&B

 

[mparker762]

Thats pretty impressive. And congratulations!

 

[whitebar]

What a great story! You are going to love that razor. I have two of them and they are both keepers.

 

[tpoof]

fantastic story - this is why B&B is so good.

x2 Good show gents! Enjoy your razor.

 

[gugi]

Anyway, Andy was nice enough to hasten my decision by dropping his already more-than-fair price without provocation to "cost plus a breakfast sandwich"

.....

It is now 8:49, approximately 5 hours since I posted, and I have a beautiful razor

A breakfast sandwich for dinner??? Man, he has to reevaluate his eating habits!

enjoy your razor, I was going to post a picture, but it's now obsolete...

 

[gumbo]

I shaved with it this morning.
Kudos to Martin for shipping these out with a fantastic edge (or at least this particular one).
Such a different feeling, like I had to check if the hair was actually being cut. I couldn't "hear" it.
This thing is just gorgeous. My fiancee, not quite "at one" with my RAD, often barges in on me shaving as she gets ready in the morning, and she never gives my razors a second look, but she held her stare on this one and said "that's really nice, is that new?"

"Ummm. No honey, I've had this one for a while.
I swear I didn't just pull a crazy mission in picking this up last night while you were at class."

 

[Doc4]

My fiancee, not quite "at one" with my RAD, ... said "that's really nice, is that new?"

"Ummm. No honey, I've had this one for a while.
I swear I didn't just pull a crazy mission in picking this up last night while you were at class."

And so it begins!

 

[CloseShave]

I shaved with it this morning...
Such a different feeling, like I had to check if the hair was actually being cut. I couldn't "hear" it.
"

That's the wonder of this and other 1/4 and 1/2 hollows, they are extremely quiet. The LG edge is the smoothest, however, and leaves the skin feeling very silky. I happen to have used my LG this morning and I think only my 7/8 TIs( full hollows) are capable of giving as easy a close shave.

 

[44Whiskas]

Justin,

Glad you like the razor and Thank you very much for the razor you gave me as a gift - I took it for a whirl this evening and you did a wonderful job of making it shave ready. I posted a pic on SRD on SOTD - I should probably start putting a few things here as well.

Always enjoyable to be around others that share the same hobbies and passions as ones self. Justin and I had a nice conversation about all facets of shaving. He is a gentleman and very much a scholar.

as for the breakfast sandwich...who can resist a good breakfast sandwich and coffee no matter what time of day

Andy

 

[slippy]

What a great story!

 

[Samouraï]

really cool story...




...wtb another Le Grelot : P (but seriously)