Thread: Newbie needs assistance with TI vendor correspondence and decision

Thank you all for your helpful advice. I was really set on this particular razor, but due to the less than adequate customer service and questionable uneven blade grind, I am passing on it.

The email that I sent to the vendor last night: Thank you for your reply and the point regarding horn scales. I appreciate that you have taken the time to correspond with me. If you are able to give me the discount, the misalignment is only slight, and the uneven ground is only cosmetic (and does not appear that it will pose a problem when honing later), I'll take the razor with ebony scales.

The vendor wrote back telling me, “We think that you'll have a better shopping experience for you'll find a local supplier, that allows walk-in, in your area.”

I was treated as a problematic customer, when I had already purchased the razor and had only asked a few questions pertaining to what he thought noteworthy enough to offer me a refund. I called this vendor last week to ask if they offer any professional sharpening services or if the straight razors only come factory sharp. I’m sure that he has been asked this several times, but I had never had any communication with him prior to this, and he started yelling at me from a speaker phone without masking his irritation. After the phone call, I took a few days to determine whether I wanted the razor enough to overlook the call. I ordered the razor online and you know the rest of the story.

When I Google search Thiers-Issard, this Canadian vendor is the one that usually comes up first. If anyone has any suggestions for other TI vendors, please let me know. I’m looking for what I guess would be considered a mid-range TI (preferably one with wood scales).

Thank you again, everyone.

Christopher

Classic shaving has a few.

And you can't go wrong with rasur pur either. Ships from Germany but I've had nothing but great service from them.

Originally Posted by Punky7

Thank you all for your helpful advice. I was really set on this particular razor, but due to the less than adequate customer service and questionable uneven blade grind, I am passing on it.

The email that I sent to the vendor last night: Thank you for your reply and the point regarding horn scales. I appreciate that you have taken the time to correspond with me. If you are able to give me the discount, the misalignment is only slight, and the uneven ground is only cosmetic (and does not appear that it will pose a problem when honing later), I'll take the razor with ebony scales.

The vendor wrote back telling me, “We think that you'll have a better shopping experience for you'll find a local supplier, that allows walk-in, in your area.”

I was treated as a problematic customer, when I had already purchased the razor and had only asked a few questions pertaining to what he thought noteworthy enough to offer me a refund. I called this vendor last week to ask if they offer any professional sharpening services or if the straight razors only come factory sharp. I’m sure that he has been asked this several times, but I had never had any communication with him prior to this, and he started yelling at me from a speaker phone without masking his irritation. After the phone call, I took a few days to determine whether I wanted the razor enough to overlook the call. I ordered the razor online and you know the rest of the story.

When I Google search Thiers-Issard, this Canadian vendor is the one that usually comes up first. If anyone has any suggestions for other TI vendors, please let me know. I’m looking for what I guess would be considered a mid-range TI (preferably one with wood scales).

Thank you again, everyone.

Christopher

Vintage Blades LLCÂ::ÂThiers-Issard Straight Razors
I can strongly recommend this site. I just bought a new razor from them and am very happy. The customer service is excellent. I mean beyond excellent imo and they have speedy shipping. All razors are professionally honed and they encourage you to ask any questions you may have and are more than happy to answer.

+1 for Vintage Blades. That's where I got my initial set up. Jim gave me an hour of his time talking me thru it all. And all his blades go thru Lynn for honing.

TI, you love or you hate.
I own some TI and have seen some more. Most have some geometry issue in the bevel or in the spine. I've got the idea that it's not QC but it's related to the specific heat treatment they use.
That same heat treatment that makes their steel very special, different from all others.
Personally I'm on the love side, though sometimes I curse them while honing.

I am currently a big fan of TI, I find they are really designed to be good daily shavers. I also like that old world design and the leather pouches they come with. Very practical! I have heard of some issues with TI, and I myself noted an issue with a higher end model. The best thing to do in my view is to purchase from a vendor that carries a regular supply of TI's and that can professionally hone. This way you are less likely to receive a problematic razor.

Thank you all for the suggestions. Also, thank you for helping to turn a disappointing circumstance into something positive. I just ordered a TI from Vintage Blades LLC. It's a Spartacus 6/8", half ground. Nothing too fancy, but I'm excited nonetheless. I'm sure that this razor is more suitable for a newbie than the 7/8" Spanish point that I felt that "I just had to have". Someday!

One day you can have it. Ti also does custom orders so you can have anything you want

Originally Posted by basil

One day you can have it. Ti also does custom orders so you can have anything you want

Basil, how do you place a custom order with TI? They don't have a company website as far as I can tell do you have a contact?

You might want to ask what ever vendor you go with to send a couple pictures of the actual razor before you buy it so you can make up your mind up front.

Happy Holidays,

Lynn