Thread: Thiers-Issard Le Grelot

I recently purchased this razor:

From what I had read I did not think it would be "shave ready"; however, after a good stropping it shaves very well.

When I look at the edge with a 30x loupe, the bevel on the "front" of the razor (the side you see in the picture) is twice as wide as the "back". Is this normal, or appropriate?

When this razor needs to be honed should I attempt to make the bevels symetrical? And if so how would I do this? I'm assuming solitary strokes on the "back" shallow/steep side.

I'm a total novice, so I'm sorry if this is a stupid question.

Do not worry about the differences in the width of the bevel. It is of no consequence.
The next honing may change that but maybe not.


Just my $.02,

I agree with Randy - as long as it shaves very well, let it be.

I just sharpened a new one of these. It sounds like it is from the same lot. It took a while for me to figure it out. The grind on one side is a bit different than the other. I new I wouldn't get an exact even edge on both sides and in the end just went with getting the blade shave ready. Once I accepted the nature of the blade it sharpened up nicely. That will teach me to have preconceived ideas of how a razor is manufactured.

Originally Posted by CraigJ

Once I accepted the nature of the blade it sharpened up nicely. That will teach me to have preconceived ideas of how a razor is manufactured.

In fact, all straight razors are essentially handmade and are not industrial products.

Your very lucky that it came shave ready. Those can be a bear to hone.

Although the description has been removed from the English Shaving Company (Edwin Jagger) website, I remember reading that these razors had been honed and stropped by a pro after they left Thiers Issard. Mine came almost shave ready as well.

Al raz,

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Your very lucky that it came shave ready. Those can be a bear to hone.

This model is the full hollow version and hones up quite easily. The 1/4 hollow is the honing challenge. However, they are both great shavers when the honing is done though a different shaving experience. I am happy to say I have both as well as some vintage Grelots.
Sadly, the Grelots are out of production and those being sold are the remaining NOS inventory. Jagger is no longer offering these on their site. I believe the owner said on a post a short time ago he can no longer get them and is looking for other offerings.

I just got my first straight from Thiers-Issard and it was sharpened before it left and sharp it is, no doubt. I bought it from classicshaving.com.

No help from me but man thats some beautiful blade !