Thiers Issard 889 Sheep and Wolf

I was hoping to purchase a Thiers Issard razor from SRD and get it honed by Lynn. However, after showing TI razors as unavailable for many weeks, the TI razors recently have been removed from the SRD web site.

I had read varying reports about the quality of TI razors. Thus, I was a little wary of purchasing a TI.

Initially, I was looking at the TI 889 Bison with Red Stamina scales, since that was listed on the SRD web site. However, when I went to the Smallflower/Mertz Apothecary web site, they offered a variety of TI razors. I selected the TI 889 Sheep and Wolf with snakewood scales. That was a little more expensive than the Bison, and the most expensive razor in my current collection.

Although Smallflower has recently started to offer honing services (free on new razors), I did not want to delay the purchase 1-3 weeks to wait for honing. I had read that TI razors come "almost shave ready" from the factory; I figured I could touch up the edge myself if needed.

Upon receiving my razor two days later, I opened the package and was quite pleased. The mirror polished blade gleamed. The snakewood scales were quite handsome. The blade centered perfectly between the scales when closing. This was one beautiful razor.

I quickly whipped up a lather and tried shaving with the new blade. While not a smooth as my Boker Silver Steel extra hollow as honed by Lynn, the factory edge was acceptable. I improved the edge a little by stropping on paste, but I felt no need to take it to the hones. Overall, I was quite pleased with my purchase.

Now to figure out what to add to my collection next. I currently have Aust, Boker Silver Steel, Dovo Bismark, Hart Steel, Thiers Issard 889, and Rasoir Sabre Le Grelot razors, along with vintage Wostenholm and Shumate razors. I do not know whether to go with another razor from one of these manufacturers, or try yet another manufacturer. Isn't RAD great?

I tend to prefer 6/8" or 7/8" blades. I find 5/8" a little narrow. I do not have a 8/8" as I consider that too wide. I also tend to prefer full hollow or extra hollow grinds. My experience with the Hart quarter ground was disappointing (See my post if you are interested in details.)

Any recommendations?

Check out Revisors. Personally I think they are the closest you can get to a vintage Solingen (grind, polish and assembly) in modern production today. They carry a variety of 6/8th and a smaller selection of 7/8th. Wacker is also nice too. Best horn selection but I find their scales a little chunky and like most makers have went to a spacer rather than a wedge in construction.

Which one of your blades is your favorite shaver and why? That may help you to decide whether to go vintage or new production....or, custom. Good luck with the RAD (the effects lessen with a lighter wallet). :p

Portland Razor Co makes some nice stuff.

Ralf Aust..best production razor on the market today. I am not alone in that opinion.
But, were I you I'd look long and hard at a Brian Brown BRW razor. They are an outstanding bit of goods. Completely hand made by Mr. Brown himself and very reasonably priced

As said, Revisor or you might try a Wacker.
Both are excellent shavers.

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Originally Posted by CrownCork

Check out Revisors. Personally I think they are the closest you can get to a vintage Solingen (grind, polish and assembly) in modern production today. They carry a variety of 6/8th and a smaller selection of 7/8th. Wacker is also nice too. Best horn selection but I find their scales a little chunky and like most makers have went to a spacer rather than a wedge in construction.

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I have read some good things about Revisor, but I am a little wary about ordering directly from Germany. I understand they take PayPal, so that gives some safety. I am used to ordering things in the States and getting them delivered in a few days. Even eBay purchases from China come in about ten days due to some special arrangement they have with China Post and USPS. Clearing US Customs seems to be the big hangup in international shipments due to the potential for illegal shipments of weapons and drugs.

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Originally Posted by Speedster

Which one of your blades is your favorite shaver and why? That may help you to decide whether to go vintage or new production....or, custom. Good luck with the RAD (the effects lessen with a lighter wallet). :p

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From a shaving standpoint, my two favorites are the Boker Silver Steel 6/8" extra hollow and the Razoir Sabre Le Grelot 7/8" full hollow (Ertan Suer). Both my vintage blades are 5/8" which are not optimum for me.

Although I am not ruling out custom razors, I have a difficult time convincing myself to spend more than $300 for fancy scales and spinework. I am a traditionilist, so some of the custom designs too flashy for me.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

Portland Razor Co makes some nice stuff.

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Although I was aware of Portland, I have not read a lot about them. I did check out their web site and saw a couple that might make it on my wish list.

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Originally Posted by RayClem

Although I was aware of Portland, I have not read a lot about them. I did check out their web site and saw a couple that might make it on my wish list.

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I have a Leviathan with the burl scales. One of my all-time favorite razors.

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Originally Posted by Phoenix51

Ralf Aust..best production razor on the market today. I am not alone in that opinion.
But, were I you I'd look long and hard at a Brian Brown BRW razor. They are an outstanding bit of goods. Completely hand made by Mr. Brown himself and very reasonably priced

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I love my Ralph Aust 6/8 with blackwood scales. It is well made, looks good and shaves well.

I checked out the Brian Brown web site. I like that you can design your own razor (blade type, scales, jimps, etc. ) if his blades in stock don't suit you.
Again, that is another that will make my wish list.

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Originally Posted by rolodave

As said, Revisor or you might try a Wacker.
Both are excellent shavers.

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Alhtough Revisors are not available from US vendors, there are a few who carry Wackers. I have seen photos of a couple that I like. That gives me yet another option for my wish list.

doesn't take long to get a Revisor and its as safe a purchase as there is out there. the product is top notch and they are a treat to deal with. I have mostly custome razors by the top makers out there but my Revisor razor is one of my favorites. that being said, Brian Brown is the best deal on the market, custom maker with a production line also that still receives his personal attention to the grind, which is one of the better ones out there, and price wise, ive spent a lot more for razors and not gotten much better Tc

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Originally Posted by RayClem

I have read some good things about Revisor, but I am a little wary about ordering directly from Germany. I understand they take PayPal, so that gives some safety. I am used to ordering things in the States and getting them delivered in a few days. Even eBay purchases from China come in about ten days due to some special arrangement they have with China Post and USPS. Clearing US Customs seems to be the big hangup in international shipments due to the potential for illegal shipments of weapons and drugs.

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Order with confidence. The folks at Revisor will deliver as efficiently as any domestic merchant. And you can be happy to have a unique razor that is a little more rare. Trust them. You won't regret it.

Even if your vintage blades are not your preferable size (5/8"), you get an idea of their craftsmanship and shave quality that will easily transfer to models more suitably sized (6/8-7/8"). I have a mix of 10 blades from 4 countries ranging from vintage, modern production, and custom, and my favorite turns out to be a vintage Filarmonica #13 Doble Temple JMP.

However, opinions of others on this site has my gut telling me that a Brian Brown or Karaat may give this Fili a run for its money. It doesn't matter if that's the case or not; having a variety of shaving tools is half the fun of this hobby.

I also need at least one more hone and a back-up badger brush. :D

Get your T.I honed up . They are amazing when honed rite.
Half hollows by T.I are really nice shavers also.

Personally I'd buy some W&B , best edges imo.

I will agree with JOB15 on what he said. My TI is one great shaver, but my goto is a Wade & Butcher.
Both are amazing razors.

I see that SRD no longer is carrying T-I razors. Any ideas why? I do recall they were often not in stock for extended periods of time. Inventory issues maybe?

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Originally Posted by Phoenix51

I see that SRD no longer is carrying T-I razors. Any ideas why? I do recall they were often not in stock for extended periods of time. Inventory issues maybe?

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Lynn would have to answer the question about the removal of TI. I do not know if it is a temporary or permanent removal. It might just be availability or pricing..

However, I read on the rasurpur.de web site that they phased out TI due to quality concerns. That caused me to be concerned about purchasing TI, but I got a good one. With a little touch up on the hones, it has the potential for greatness.

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Originally Posted by kelbro

Portland Razor Co makes some nice stuff.

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I went back and looked more carefully at Portland Razor Co. It looks like all of their blades are quarter-hollow 01 tool steel. After my miserable experience honing and shaving with a Hart Steel razor, I prefer full hollow or extra hollow blades. That eliminates Portland from my wish list at this time.

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Originally Posted by RayClem

I went back and looked more carefully at Portland Razor Co. It looks like all of their blades are quarter-hollow 01 tool steel. After my miserable experience honing and shaving with a Hart Steel razor, I prefer full hollow or extra hollow blades. That eliminates Portland from my wish list at this time.

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Understood. This is definitely a YMMV hobby. My personal (great) experience with two Harts is what led me to purchase two PRCs.

Just sold a like new Boker 5/8. Very hollow grind; very nice razor. Just could not get behind the 5/8. Ordering a BRW 6/8 Spanish point next week. Mr. Brown knows how to make a hollow grind!!

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Originally Posted by RayClem

I went back and looked more carefully at Portland Razor Co. It looks like all of their blades are quarter-hollow 01 tool steel. After my miserable experience honing and shaving with a Hart Steel razor, I prefer full hollow or extra hollow blades. That eliminates Portland from my wish list at this time.

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Most of my early learning was with Harts, they are the most awkward to hone up imo
All 01 is not equal.. some is softer some harder. Maybe its the tempering process?

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Originally Posted by JOB15

Most of my early learning was with Harts, they are the most awkward to hone up imo
All 01 is not equal.. some is softer some harder. Maybe its the tempering process?

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Yes, the 01 tool steel can be a challenge but but wait until you try D2... Lord have mercy, that stuff is hard!