Thread: 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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Originally Posted by kelbro

Portland Razor Co makes some nice stuff.

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.

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.

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