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Right now I am engaged in heated bidding on the bay for a used but current model Thiers Issard 'Bijou De France' 5/8 with white plastic scales, the razor looks immaculate and I have bought from the vendor before, so I trust his description. The price is likely to exceed £100 and I would also have to buy a new pouch. My chosen alternative option is to buy a new Ralph Aust, the make up of which will probably cost me £150-£160. I like both but which would you choose?
I have heard a few people mention quality control issues with Thiers, those people typically being established honers that people repeatably get good shaves from. On the other hand, I have heard nothing but good things from Ralph.
So, my vote is for R.A.
Purely out of interest do you have a favourite brand?
I am in the process of having a smorgasbord of razors, having only multiple razors of W.H. Morley brand, because they were so cheap I couldn't pass it up. This is because of two reasons. 1) I don't want to own too many razors, less than 20. 2) If I am going to own more than 2 razors, I want the largest variety possible in age, brand, shape and size.
Yet to be restored/need a good honing:
Greaves chopper
W.H. Morley
Henckels 4/8 wedge
Honed & Shave ready:
Schumate 'Ben-Hur'
W&B wedge
W.R. Case & Sons
Dovo Best Quality
Boker (I forget model #, 1/4 to 1/2 hollow blade)
I have a particular fondness for the Case and the Morley blades. The Case was purchased for me by my father many moons ago with the promise that I would use it when I grew up. Excellent shaver and a little shorter & more nimble than the average blade, I shaved with the factor edge for months before a ding on the faucet. The Morley was my first honed blade, before I removed the scales for an on going project. Morley's are simply the easiest thing for me to hone, and takes a wonderful edge. The dovo came to me with a great edge from classicedge.ca, but was poorly honed by a shiesty website. It seems to have harder steel than my other blades, needing more laps. Other than physical geometry and looks, they all shave near to the same as I have honed/touched up all but the Boker. That's because that Boker has my perfect edge, the balance of keen and comfort I aim for every time I hit the hones.
Both? I like my Austs but won't part with my TIs
Remember.....there is always another (1000's) of great razors right around the corner. How much is too much $-wise? I would pay up for an exact razor I wanted. Even times I have tried and placed crazy high bids, someone crazier came along and snagged it. I regret not the ones I lost, but the ones I sold.
Generally speaking, given the choice between a used Thiers Issard and a new Ralf Aust, I would get the Aust; and even given the choice between a new Thiers Issard and a used Ralf Aust, I would get the Aust if it were still shave ready. Personally, given the choice between a gift Thiers Issard and a Ralf Aust for which I had to pay, I would still get the Aust. Nothing in the current market beats Herkenrath steel, and nothing - except a Revisor - currently beats a Ralf Aust.
Was that a trick question?
Is/was W.H.Morley an American brand? I have not come across them yet.
Try this then: Let me google that for you. The site: tag is vastly underrated.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomP30
Morley is a German made razor. I think they stopped making them in 1925. They are an excellent razor easy to hone and takes a very keen edge. They go for little money these days. I would go for R.A.
TomP30, to answer your initial question and, based on your circumstances as to choice, I would go for the Aust
Decision made.
I saw the 6/8 Dovo Encina on T.I.E. A stainless and shoulder-less blade with oak scales, it looks very clean and I love that about it. I think it will be interesting to compare against my 1930's 6/8 Bengall, against which nothing, not even a new Revisor, has so far surpassed in my short and limited experience thus far (sorry Robin K).
P.S.
I'm also currently bidding on a stainless Henckels 1/4 grind, I think I must be developing an addiction.
sadly you will only know after about a couple of hundred. RADQuote:
Originally Posted by TomP30
I have several, they hone up nice and give a good shave, I'm always on the look out for them when I'm serfing E-Bay for razors. Them and Landers, Flary, & Clark straights.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomP30