Thread: Straights for Heavy Beards?

A quarter hollow 6/8ths.
Heavy enough to slide right through a thick beard.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Agreed - just posted my favorite shave vid on another thread about blade size, and think this one applies to beards as well:

Haha yeh he scarred himself for life but so what

“Mephisto” The only thing I know about the razor I saw on E-Bay is that it was a 6/8 round, and a Le Grelot with new abalone scales. Beautiful razor. I asked the seller more specific questions about the razor.
Thanks for your input.

I think I know which one you are talking about. It is a stunning vintage razor restore from the pics. It has the 'Lotus' etching correct? Le Grelot was a manufacturer at one time and purchased by Thiers Issard (TI). If my history is correct, TI used some the blanks from the purchase to make a series of new razors with the Le Grelot mark. The grind and the shape appear similar to the one I have.

“Mephisto” Yep, thats the one. Is it worth what they are asking for? If it get touchy please PM me. Thanks H

Originally Posted by Mephisto

I think I know which one you are talking about. It is a stunning vintage razor restore from the pics. It has the 'Lotus' etching correct? Le Grelot was a manufacturer at one time and purchased by Thiers Issard (TI). If my history is correct, TI used some the blanks from the purchase to make a series of new razors with the Le Grelot mark. The grind and the shape appear similar to the one I have.

Le Grelot was the main competitor to Thiers Issard for the most part of this century. Neither survived as a stand alone company. Thiers-Issard is the main razor brand of Sabatier and Le Grelot is another brand they own and have recently (in the last 5 years) discovered its marketing value.
But all of their current production is made of their c135 steel which is fairly different from their pre 2008 manufacturing. The grinds of their razors do not match the historical grinds of the same models. The labeling of razors has nothing to do with models either.
They market continuing use of old process involving lead in their heat treatment but as with most things proprietary we never get much details.

They seem to have had on the order of few thousand old blanks which were made in various special editions in the last decade or do, the most famous of which is probably TIPTLE, but that's about it.

You should first determine what is the blade - vintage production in new scales, vintage blank current production, or modern manufacture. All could make good razors, but they'll have different characteristics.

Originally Posted by JOB15

A quarter hollow 6/8ths.
Heavy enough to slide right through a thick beard.

That is what I have found also! I find a full hollow Very unforgiving. Change the angle a little too much and pay the price. Heavier grinds ( not necessarily huge blades ) seem to be much easier to use.
I love a 5/8 to 6/8 quarter hollow is my sweet spot! YMMV tho.

Go with a 6/8 blade. It's a little heavier blade and for me it seems to go through heavier whispers better. But like the posts above me state any sharp blade will work.

Greg

And I thought when I opened this thread that we were forming a political action committee...

Originally Posted by hasstar

I had my eye on a French razor that was advertised as for “Heavy Beards”
First , what makes a razor more accommodating (specific characteristics) for Heavy Beards?
Secondly , how does one define Heavy beards?

For me I am retired so the need to shave everyday is not called for. I would say on the second day my beard feels very prickly, and on the 3 rd day I need to shave, but I am fair of complexion and color wise my beard is light (probably gray now) . Back in the day, I wore a red tight curly reddish beard. Could never grow a ZZ Top beard due to the tight kind of curly whiskers.
Thanks all,
have a good one...
Harry

This picture rips electric razor shaving, but it also says that facial hair is like copper wire. Any straight that's tuned up right is perfect for a 3-day beard. It's been my experience that all other kinds of razors have trouble with it.