French Razor Identity?

Could someone tell me a little bit about what I may have here? I was given this old straight razor and I'm in the middle of restoring it. I know that it is French, and that "Acier Fondu" translates to cast steel, but beyond that I know nothing else about the maker or when it might have been made. Its scales were so riddled with bug holes that I couldn't save them, but its nearly full wedge blade is still in good condition. Could someone please help me?Attachment 329521Attachment 329522Attachment 329523

Welcome to the forum, wish I could help.

Bob

Sweet looking razor, looked a bit on the french forums, but so far not much luck.

Certainly keep us posted if you find anything!

Most likely a very late 19th century Thiers razor.

A good reflex to have when you are looking for information on a French razor is this fine website
Couteliers Thiers

Here we can learn that Espinasse is a trademark created on the 10th of December, 1878
That certainly fits the shape of the blade, the shape of the tang and the shape of the scales.

So I'd say there's a real good chance that it's that same Espinasse

I find Thiers blades to be a bit fickle as far as restoration goes. Some are really good, some are just meh... Here the markers would make me think that it should be in the "nice" category. But you never know...

That is a cool site. Thanks.

The razor is in my opinion a manufacture of Nogent in the 1880s
Come Espinasse with the “C-E crowned” brand is a
wholesale of cutlery and hardware 213 rue Saint Martin in PARIS
It appears in the list of exhibitors in cutlery at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in PARIS.
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And then, when you are a French connaisseur, and even though you might know a trick or two, you will always be humbled by Ferdi's knowledge.

Render unto Caesar...

I had a few doubts with this crown, the Thiers trademark would indeed rather come with a sword than a crown.

As for Nogent... I thought initially that maybe it could be the case, but the scales... Is it because it's Paris sold that you think Nogent, Ferdi ?

Well, when you change the scales midnight68, if you find a stamp near the pivot you will know that Ferdi is definitely right (he should be right either way)

And if it's a Nogent blade... The it's definitely a great blade

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aggelos

Render unto Caesar...

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Classy :tu :tu :tu

Bob

Very nice.! Reminds me of my Chassaign.

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By the way...those scales can easily be repaired, if your wanting to keep it all original.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aggelos

And then, when you are a French connaisseur, and even though you might know a trick or two, you will always be humbled by Ferdi's knowledge.

Render unto Caesar...

I had a few doubts with this crown, the Thiers trademark would indeed rather come with a sword than a crown.

As for Nogent... I thought initially that maybe it could be the case, but the scales... Is it because it's Paris sold that you think Nogent, Ferdi ?

Well, when you change the scales midnight68, if you find a stamp near the pivot you will know that Ferdi is definitely right (he should be right either way)

And if it's a Nogent blade... The it's definitely a great blade

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mere impressions

hello, I bought yesterday in Paris this razor Espinasse. It’s new, but I don’t know if it’s still in production or if they sold me an old razor. And what it means “ cast steel“ ? ...Help me please! Merci

Post some pics.

Here is an old B&B post that may help.

Anyone know anything about the maker of this French Frameback?

How do I put the photos in?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gianluca1980

How do I put the photos in?

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Attachment 330120

Open REPLY then click on the box outlined in RED then follow the directions.

Attachment 330121Attachment 330122Attachment 330123Attachment 330124Attachment 330125Attachment 330126

Where did you buy it?

Looks to be an old blade un-pinned, reground, or at least cleaned up and repined. Note the brass pin and upside-down collar on the pivot.

That it has plastic scales and a plastic spacer in place of a wedge does not fit the razor for age.

I buy it in the real store: planete rasoir - paris.
what defects does the blade have? ...it cut well. How old do you think the razor is?

More than 100 years old (like around 130 or so), same Espinasse as stated above, not too badly restored but many a French amateur would have done a far better job.

While Planete Rasoir is a renown place, I do hope they told you they were not selling you a first hand blade.

And I definitely do hope you did not pay big bucks for it.

Still it might be a very good blade

I didn’t ask if it was new or vintage. I liked it and bought it. Plastic handle. paid 250 euros

and they told me to pass it only on leather and not on stone (at least the first year)

That includes their basic maintenance and handling training ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gianluca1980

I didn’t ask if it was new or vintage. I liked it and bought it. Plastic handle. paid 250 euros

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You bought it because you liked it and it cuts well for you so as a tool it does it's job well. Giving valuations of razors/what they are worth is against forum rules. You now know approximately how old the razor is too. I'd just enjoy it.

Bob

Yes, with training

I am not familiar with the company or their site. On their site all their straight razors appear to be new Le Grelot. I do not see any vintage razors.

The blade appears to have been reground or at least cleaned up. That work appears to have been done very well. I do not see any defects in the blade or edge, and if honed properly should shave well for a lifetime.

Many Vintage French makers are highly sought after here, and all indications from my limited research is the maker was skilled and a quality maker. While the scale work is not the best it is serviceable and if the razor turns out to be a good shaver you may want to rescale it in more period correct scales, horn. I can not date the razor

I do not know what it was represented to be, when you bought it and is not a popular razor here in the US so we do not see many

Again, I see not defect with the blade and if it shaves well for you, that is what counts.

Was it sold as new?

I didn’t ask if it was new or not, I liked it and I bought it

The blade has most likely just been cleaned up, I don't think it's been reground.
It most probably been honed correctly and is ready for use. It should work very nicely, probably even better than a bottom shelf new blade.

Planete Rasoir is probably the most famous shaving traditional shop in France.
Every year they setup a celebration day to which many a figurehead attends, like for example the boss of Thiers Issard.

Mostly, they won't let a newcomer go without a proper training and that's both part of the price and experience.
Being a premium shop in the inner Paris, their prices are the prices and range of products are those of a premium shop in the inner Paris.

For the anecdote that's where I made my first steps in wet shaving.
While with some experience in don't adhere to their whole gospel, as far as first steps go, they are one of the better places.

yes, I confirm. They are serious and professional people