Thread: Thiers Issard Le Dandy

I have three new production TIs and they are excellent razors.

Thanks everyone for the responses - I'll make a post with my opinion on the razor.

Gary

I have had numerous french razors both wintage and new...particularly the old T.I i liked very much...the grinds were better when they did not have warping issues...although the old ones experienced warping far less then the contemporany models.

The new productions i had quite a few problems with them...i like the steel carbonsong takes and holds a superb edge but the geometry of the blade is sometimes off... either poor grinding or poor heat treatment....for the love of god i dont understand why they dont get their blades profesionaly heat treated so they avoid warping...dont get me wrong...some are spot on...but when you pay that price for a razor you want it to be ground and heat treated right....every single one of them!

If you look closely in the picture of the product you linked you will se that the bevels are wider at the tip and toe of the razor...sugesting a geometry problem...

So with the contemporany T.I. i would say there is a good chanse you get a great razor...but there is that slim chanse you'll get a wobbler.

Thanks for the response, very informative. What in your opinion would be good value for the money with regard to French razors?

If you are talking current production French razors, I believe TI is about the only game in town. WRT modern TI razors, you pay extra for fancy blades, fancy scales and larger blade sizes. The blade remains the same with or without bling added. Pretty don't shave so their plainest razor in 5/8 or 6/8 size would to me to be value for money.

Bob

Thanks for the info Bob.

Originally Posted by BobH

Being NOS you should be good to go then. Never came across a blade that short so I'd be interested to know if it is easier to work with.

Bob

When I switched to straights, I was mostly shaving with a Feather DX and it's 50mm blade. I was an instant convert, I just found the longer blades cumbersome, especially on E to W passes. I had a PRC Hydra made with a 50mm blade, and love it. I am well past struggling with the longer blades, but every time I use the PRC or the Feather, I am impressed with how much I enjoy the short blade. I do not know if I would order another custom without it.