I hope they are …because I have 2 of them ..lol! Thanks for the video Bill. I actually think that other than small artisan razor makers Theirs Issard makes some of the best Straights on the market. They can be a little tougher to sharpen due to their 135C steel being somewhat harder but once you get the right edge on them they are fantastic. Cheers MikeR. ( just a side note “ Le Grelot” translates to “Little Bell” so I would assume this is what they refer to as a singing Razor…we Canucks are taught the French language in school as part of our curriculum, sometimes comes in handy…lol😅)
You are 100% correct here is a quote from the internet , “Le Grelot” was a historic trademark originating from a deceased operations Thiers cutler, and at some point the ownership of Thiers-Issard purchased the Grelot trademark along with a cache of 'blanks' of vintage forging of unknown time or recipe.” If the piece gifted you is one of the older blanks then you are in the possession of a much sought after razor! Theirs Issard still produce the razor but now use modern 135C blanks. Cheers Mike.
@@miker5502 The stamp on mine indicates “Le Grelot” and Thiers Issard. I will have to see if I can identify it as a historic forging. As I understand it many of what are termed “historic forging” come from a time when the forging process used a higher drop count and lower pressure. The yield was supposed to be higher flexiblility and tensile strength compared to the lower strike count at higher pressures that are more common today.
Hi Bill..I remember back a number of years ago when Theirs- Issard released these under their brand name with the older blanks they acquired in the purchase of Le Grelot. Collectors were snapping them up because it was rumoured the steel was amazing and took a great edge. Let me know if you find out anything. Cheers MikeR.
The problem with Thiers Issard is their QC which allows warped blades to be sold which then upsets customers come time to hone. This slap dash attitude is unacceptable, so why not buy a Koraat instead or Boker? 🤔
Hello and thanks for tuning in. While the reputations of Koraat and Böker are respected, they still manufacture using the skills of individuals. I therefore would tolerate some deviation from the ‘Perfect Razor’, and could probably find it somewhere in their work. When I get that particular hankering to have ultimate precision, I usually go for an Artist Club replaceable blade straight. Also, Thiers-Issard is the only straight razor maker that I know of still using a molten lead hardening process. They do so by special permit and achieve steel edge durability second to none. I use an antiquated honing process outlined in a German Grinders Handbook authored in the 1840’s. This technique leaves me with no problems getting razors to shave that have the whiney modern day honers so bent out of shape.
