Thiers-Issard from The Art of Shaving (TAoS) shop

Hello everybody,

My first post here, I'm quite excited! This is a great community, thanks all for making it so wonderful and for sharing your knowledge and experience!

I received a Thiers-Issard as a xmas present (I know, how lucky!) bought from The Art of Shaving. The model is Le Grelot 5/8 275, with rams horn. Quite beautiful apart from "The Art of Shaving" black logo on the blade; and quite expensive at almost $ 300.
My question is: is TAoS a reputable vendor? Why on earth would TI put the black logo on the blade? Would it diminish its value, should I choose to sell it later? And, of course, I presume it will need some honing (not offered by TAoS).

Cheers!

Satom

Hi and welcome. That is a nice razor. As to shave ready it may be factory edges vary a fair bit. Probably safer to get it pro honed and know for sure its shave ready to take out the quess work. Cant comment on the logo but sure someone will be able to help. Check out the library for the starter info basics. Good luck. Ed

Welcome to Straight Shaving!

I bought an AOS TI before discovering this site. It is a decent blade, had an edge as good as the Dovo I got from SRD. Whether yours needs a honing or not is not determinable from afar. The only true way would be to find a mentor and let him check it out. As far as etching? I doubt it will change the value of the blade. You'll never recoup what was paid for it, logo or not, but not because of the logo, IMHO.

Thanks, Ed! I find it hard to determine whether it is shave ready or not (tried on the edge of a paper sheet, but can't really tell -mainly due to my ignorance).

Thank you Souschefdude (if you love cooking, so do I, by the way!).
Do you know whether the etching can be removed? I have seen other TI with badger, rose de france, a patina of gold... they look quite better than the TAoS logo to me...

I'd have to take a look when I get home. If it is truly etched, then no, not without removing metal.
AFA cooking, I am an ex-chef, but I do enjoy cooking.
Oh, and please keep the edge of the blade away from the paper. It should only ever touch whiskers/skin, or a hone, under the guidance of some who knows how to do it.

Hey and welcome to the forum. As others have said factory edges are hit and miss as to being shave ready. The only real answer is a shave test but unfortunately you have nothing to compare it to. I would not use a straight to cut paper with as doing that may dull the edge. As far as I know the AOS TI is the same as any other TI blade except for the TI logo. If you order enough straights from TI I am sure they will make up a model to your specs.

Bob

As stated above, keep the edge away from paper, as this can dull the blade. A better test would be to see if it cleanly shaves a small bit of hair on your arm. You could also read up on the hanging hair test a bit and give that a go, but when all is said and done, the only way to see if it will truly shave is to try it. That said, you're probably better off to send it off to a professional to have it honed, especially on that brand new pricey blade of yours. Plus, then you know you have a shave ready razor, which takes some variables out when trying to improve your shaves and technique. Poor stropping can also dull your blade. You didn't mention if you have a strop, but if you do be sure to take your time and keep a close eye on your technique. I found it helpful to lay the strop flat on a table or counter top while stropping at first.

My experience with the AOS logos was that they were not etched and were easily removed with Maas and 0000 steel wool.

Welcome to SRP,

The truth is that the razor has already lost a good amount of value the moment it was bought, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. The last time I had AoS razor the logo was lightly etched, so removing it would take work removing decent amount of steel.

It's a good quality razor though, made by Thiers-Issard from c135 steel (they bought the LeGrelot brand, but as far as I am concerned they do not make LeGrelot razors). The factory edges vary quite a bit, even though TI claims they are shave ready, the chances are that it isn't, or it's barely there. Best course of action is to have it honed and follow the practices that all of us here do, and not from that paper that Thiers-Issard puts in the box. I.e. strop before every shave (for best results on canvas and then leather), touch up the razor with abrasive (pasted strop/hone) only when it needs it, likely after about 20 shaves.

Have fun

The aos razors that I've seen have all looked pretty good as far as fit and finish. Some of the edges get messed up in store by customers. At the one near me they have let people strop the razors, the edge and strop both suffered.

I would send it out for honing. But there isn't any reason you can't try shaving your cheeks with it first. That will give you the best idea of its shave-worthiness. No more paper!

Do you have a strop? You will need one for daily use. I also strongly suggest a brush and good shaving cream. Check out some of the advertisers on this site for a place to get some gear.

As for the logo, I don't think it matters. Since its a gift (and your first razor) its sentimental value outweighs its resale value IMO. Keep it, enjoy it, use it frequently.

Michael

AOS TI’s are not shave ready, and yes the etching does come off easily.

New TI’s are not the Vintage TI’s of old. Nowhere near as hard, not as finished, but they are nice razors, for a production razor and will serve you well.

AOS soap is a very nice soap, a bit pricy but a rich lather maker.

As said, cherish the gift, but do send it out for honing.

hello, i'm new myself. my mom got me the aos dovo online.i did some reading online about it might needing honing. so i just went ahead and shaved with it anyways. 2 passes on my face. it sliced through the hair nice and clean till the end of the second pass. i got a strop coming in the mail and i'm going to grab some paste and see if it does the trick. i will be so happy if i dont have to send my razor out for a honing. try shaving with it and decide for urself if it should be honed or a good stroping. its all about preference imo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TwistedFox86

i will be so happy if i dont have to send my razor out for a honing. try shaving with it and decide for urself if it should be honed or a good stroping. its all about preference imo

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I am relatively new to straights as well though I will now call myself proficient. I would very respectfully suggest to you that if you have never shaved with a properly honed razor you will not have a benchmark to compare the efficiency of your razor from that time forward. How will you know what to expect from your razor in the future YEARS? If only once get it done right. I believe it will be worth the small cash outlay.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TwistedFox86

hello, i'm new myself. my mom got me the aos dovo online.i did some reading online about it might needing honing. so i just went ahead and shaved with it anyways. 2 passes on my face. it sliced through the hair nice and clean till the end of the second pass. i got a strop coming in the mail and i'm going to grab some paste and see if it does the trick. i will be so happy if i dont have to send my razor out for a honing. try shaving with it and decide for urself if it should be honed or a good stroping. its all about preference imo

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Hi, welcome to the hobby. If you are a little short on cash, then I'd be happy to hone your dovo for no money. Just pm me if at some point you feel the razor needs to be touched up.

Also I'd save at least 40-50$ dollars and go looking for an inexpensive but well regarded strop. There are plenty in that range that actually get used in our community.

Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GC7

I am relatively new to straights as well though I will now call myself proficient. I would very respectfully suggest to you that if you have never shaved with a properly honed razor you will not have a benchmark to compare the efficiency of your razor from that time forward. How will you know what to expect from your razor in the future YEARS? If only once get it done right. I believe it will be worth the small cash outlay.

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dont get me wrong, i plan on sending it out for a honing. just not at the moment. its just that i've only had it for a week or so, and i wanna use it a couple of more times before i send it out. for the time being it shaves nicley so i'm not in a rush. i'm already bummed out that i had to mail my camera back to go pro (got it for christmas). i hate waiting lol

Satom, if you can change your profile and add where you live, you may be able to find someone near you that can assist. I just attended a meet at Euclid440's house (thanks again Marty) on Sunday and learned a lot.

If you don't want to post your location you may want to reach out to a senior member near you and ask for assistance. Hands on is always the best way to learn.

To comment on the brand, Art of Shaving as far as I'm concerned is a reputable company. They sell good quality razors, cream, and brushes. However, they do have a reputation for being unnecessarily expensive. Just my opinion. :-) Enjoy that TI, that's a nice razor.