Thread: Le Grelot

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Third I looked at Rasage Poulin which seems to have it in Ram's Horn (and throws in a block of Alum) for $370 (Canadian? If it's Canadian then it translates to $341 US. Theirs does have the thumb notch.
Le Grelot 6/8", Le Canadien, Ram's Horn Scales: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada


1. Have either of the 3 vendors that sell the 1/4 grind increased their priced substantially in the last week or two? Just curious based upon the length of this thread! ...and my natural cynicism :-)

The one at RP has been sitting at that price for at least a month (since I've clamped eyes on it). I believe Scott visits this forum so perhaps he'll add to this thread. BTW, the $370 is in canadian funds.

Mike

Finally there's RasurPur with the Pink Ivory - they don't seem to have the Ram's Horn. They sell for 210 Euro ($301 US), or in White Bone at 181 Euros ($260 US) and they have the thumb notch.
RasurPur Online Shop - The finest tools for a perfect shave

Not only does it have the thumb notch but it says it is a 1/4 grind in the heading above if you are looking at the right page, at the bottom 1/3.

Martin is a good vendor to deal with, and above board.

Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by AirColorado

OK gents - here's a little comparison shopping I did with the results and my personal decision. Be a little careful if you decide to buy a LG - make sure you get the 1/4 grind! And as a disclaimer - aside from buying from these folks now and then I don't have any association with any of them.

Based on all the posts here I decided to try to get a LG to see how well it lives up to the hype. Though once I started to look, I find that aside from the stamp on the blade face, there's a difference in shank (thumb notch) as well. That thumb notch seems to be the easy visual indicator of the 1/4 grind. I don't want to spend that many dollars and find that I didn't get the one you guys are talking about here - namely the longer length blade with what seems to be a comfortable thumb notch (and maybe a problem to stop for some).

The primary visual differences are seen in the photos at all 4 sites I visited. Aside from availability there's also a bit of difference in price (I didn't include shipping in the numbers below). But someone not paying close attention could buy a LG that's NOT a 1/4 grind unknowingly unless they read carefully!

Here's what I found as of this morning...

First, there's the Ram's Horn 6/8 from the TI site that has a Spartacus stamp on the blade face and does seem to have the thumb notch. As of this morning they're selling it for 228 Euros ($327 US). They do state that it's the 1/4 grind.
TI straight razors

Second is Classic Shaving, again in Ram's Horn and 6/8 but no thumb notch. They offer it at $250 US. Unfortunately all the LG ads carry the wording at the bottom that states "The Le Grelot blank is a 3/4 to full hollow grind". So I assume their LGs are NOT the 1/4 grinds. If they do have a 1/4 in stock I can't find it.
Thiers-Issard Straight Razors

Third I looked at Rasage Poulin which seems to have it in Ram's Horn (and throws in a block of Alum) for $370 (Canadian? If it's Canadian then it translates to $341 US. Theirs does have the thumb notch.
Le Grelot 6/8", Le Canadien, Ram's Horn Scales: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Finally there's RasurPur with the Pink Ivory - they don't seem to have the Ram's Horn. They sell for 210 Euro ($301 US), or in White Bone at 181 Euros ($260 US) and they have the thumb notch.
RasurPur Online Shop - The finest tools for a perfect shave

I guess it's really only the TI and Classic Shaving sites that's selling the LG without the thumb notch or 1/4 grind (of these 4). Is there another vendor that has the 1/4 grinds out there?

Seems to me that Rasurpur has the real deal at the best price. But with that said, there's no way I'll pay that much for a SR and have warped scales and non-centered blade pawned off as normal. As someone else stated here, I've also rescaled quite a few blades from the early 1800s and the only time I had a problem with centering was with a blade that was slightly bent where the shank meets the blade.

A pair of questions for all of you that have recently bought one of these -

1. Have either of the 3 vendors that sell the 1/4 grind increased their priced substantially in the last week or two? Just curious based upon the length of this thread! ...and my natural cynicism :-)

2. Also, are there any other vendors (not Ebay sellers) that carry this?

All the dealers you quote seem fair to me. If you want a 1/4 hollow, move quick. I have the impression they're going fast. If I had the money…

From Martin. Shaved with one this morning. I have the black plastic 6/8 1/4 grinds, which are IMO a bargain. Among my favorite straights. A real bonus is that you can get them honed by Martin. These were the first "professionally honed" razors I received that were perfect for my use.

I currently have around 30 straights (there's a C-Mon Blackie in town that I feel drawn to -- make that 31). I think if I had to do with just one, it would probably be one of the Le Grelots.

I understand. They don't have Ram's Horn in the 1/4 LG is my point - unless I'm missing it somehow.. The only Ram's Horn LG I found there has the heading: NEW - Historical 6/8 Le Grelot - 3/4 to Full Hollow Grind - not the 1/4. The only 1/4 I see is the bone and pink ivory. I guess I really like that Ram's Horn set of scales on it!

In any event, Martin is the one I'll probably buy it from in the next day or so. My belabored point to all that was that one has to be a little careful lest they wind up buying a LG that's NOT 1/4. I almost did exactly that, and that experience is what prompted me to look around.

Originally Posted by riooso

Finally there's RasurPur with the Pink Ivory - they don't seem to have the Ram's Horn. They sell for 210 Euro ($301 US), or in White Bone at 181 Euros ($260 US) and they have the thumb notch.
RasurPur Online Shop - The finest tools for a perfect shave

Not only does it have the thumb notch but it says it is a 1/4 grind in the heading above if you are looking at the right page, at the bottom 1/3.

Martin is a good vendor to deal with, and above board.

Take Care,
Richard

Originally Posted by AlanII

All the dealers you quote seem fair to me. If you want a 1/4 hollow, move quick. I have the impression they're going fast. If I had the money…

I just read your post and thanks for the info. Can you explain why it seems a 1/4 grind is preferred to a 3/4? Is there a big difference in the quality of shave?

Originally Posted by hockeytown

I just read your post and thanks for the info. Can you explain why it seems a 1/4 grind is preferred to a 3/4? Is there a big difference in the quality of shave?

Here's a little discussion on the subject from a previous thread of 1/4s and hollows (no particular brand):

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ectations.html

andy

Originally Posted by velomane

The one at RP has been sitting at that price for at least a month (since I've clamped eyes on it). I believe Scott visits this forum so perhaps he'll add to this thread. BTW, the $370 is in canadian funds.

Mike

Hey gang.

I have no intention of increasing the price, if that's what people are wondering.

I'm not wanting to try to influence anyone to go to any particular Thiers-Issard agent, be it myself or someone else... so I may beg off and avoid any delicate questions.

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Third I looked at Rasage Poulin which seems to have it in Ram's Horn (and throws in a block of Alum) for $370 (Canadian? If it's Canadian then it translates to $341 US. Theirs does have the thumb notch.
Le Grelot 6/8", Le Canadien, Ram's Horn Scales: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The razor in question is 1/4 ground.

It isn't a block of alum for free, it's a really substantial shaving soap made my Laboratoires OSMA, who makes it with alum in it.

Laboratoires OSMA Savon à Barbe à l'Alun: Rasage Poulin Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I just wanted to clarify those points.

Has anybody gotten one of the 3/4 - full hollow Le Grelots? I tend to prefer full hollow blades, so if they are as much of a favorite as the 1/4's I would probably spring for one, especially considering the prices are a little more favorable!

Anybody care to weigh in?