Thread: Question about a Thiers Issard Le Grelot

I was tempted as well, but the temptation is no more. I ordered it.

Le Grelot was the main competitor to Thiers-Issard but they closed decades ago. I don't remember when but Thiers-Issard was also bought by the Sabatier group, so they're not the independent company they used to be.
About 5 years ago Thiers-Issard started offering razors with the LeGrelot stamp on them. At that point LeGrelot wasn't very well known and well regarded brand, and we were told that Thiers-Issard had bought the company after it closed and got some old stock razor blanks in the warehouses that they are now refinishing and selling.

These turned to be rather good razors and TI started offering them in various configurations of scales at ever increasing prices until the whole stock was exhausted (we had several iterations of 'this is really the last batch' so buy now).
I think these became more sought after than the standard TI production, but eventually they really ran out of those blanks.

So currently TI is offering 'LeGrelot' razors which as far as I can tell only have the brand name, but nothing to do with the old company. They are entirely made by TI, I bet from the same c135 steel as every other razor they make. It seems to me that the confusion is entirely due to the TI marketing over the last 5 years plus they are still trying to capitalize on the LeGrelot fad mania.

It looks like the only difference with their other razors is that this one is ground shoulderless. I don't remember any vintage TI with shoulderless grind, and the shoulderless LeGrelots I've seen were all quarter hollows.
In fact full hollow shoulderless vintage blades seem to be rather rare, and such things don't happen without a good reason.

As you noted, TI is a good razor and whatever they choose to call it, you can't go wrong. Companies buy trademarks and use them on current production whether or not the new stuff is identical to the vintage stuff. It is after all, their property. I would just go with the blade profile and scales you like the best. Here is a pair of vintage Le Grelots.

True enough. TI is using Le Grelot as an alternate brand and the production though new in every way is inspired by the old Le Grelot blades.

Originally Posted by cxhamilton

I'm interested in the Thiers Issard Le Grelot Straight Razor 6/8", Ebony Wood Handle here:

Thiers Issard Le Grelot Straight Razor 6/8", Ebony Wood Handle | Fendrihan Shaving Store

My question is: what is the difference (if any) between a Thiers Issard Le Grelot with the "Le Grelot" trademark on the tang versus the "Thiers Issard" trademark?

I'm waiting for a response from Fendrihan, but I thought I'd ask here as well.

That blade has the same style as my Le Grelot 357 but the scales are the classic TIs.



Mine sure don't sing but it's a great shaver.