Thread: Dull as a Wedding Speech

Mark,

You make an excellent point: Pre-sharpened according to what definition? This razor could have been pre-sharpened by the Thiers-Issard factory only, which obviously is the problem. I tend to think that is the case.

My two other Thiers-Issard high-end razors, which, along with the Snake Wood, I have bought in the past 60 days or so, also were not the best shaves the first time, but did improve with subsequent stropping. This one, however, is the dullest of the three. Proper stropping might take care of it.

That's why I plan to send it to Lynn if my next shave with it two days from now is not improved. Being my shave guru, Lynn can work wonders with his magic hone.

Regards,

Obie

If you bought the razor from CS, did it say "PRE-SHARPENED" in the item description? If no, than that's normal--it just has a factory edge. If yes, they were supposed to have sent it to Lynn for honing. Maybe this one wasn't?
I'd call them 1st if that's the case. Don't want to have to pay twice for honing & all.

Thanks for your thoughts.

This is a Thiers-Issard factory edge, as I suspected, and I will send the razor to Lynn for his magic honing.

Regards,

Obie

Hi Obie,

I was thinking about picking one of these up myself.

Interesting - If you think it is dull from the gitgo, no amount of stropping is gonna make it significantly better. Sounds like the right path is to either hone it yourself or off to Lynn. I take it you don;t want to give it a hone yourself? Something from the factory should be fine with 4000/8000 and linen and strop - depending on what your definition of shave ready is.

Other than the sharpness that can be taken care of - how is the quality of the scales and the spine work?

andy

Andy,

The razor is gorgeous. The Snake Wood scales are striking, and the blade is beautifully decorated. The fitting could be a bit better perhaps, but that seems to be the case with Thiers-Issard razors in general. I also have one with Kingwood scales and another in black horn.

Thiers-Issards are beautiful razors, but their fitting is no where near that of the the Dovos. Thiers-Issard and Dovo are the only straights I own. I cannot comment on the Bokers and the other makes of razors.

From the start, I debated whether I should learn to hone myself or have Lynn do his magic. In the end, I chose to rely on his skilled hands. Go with the best, I figured.

Regards,

Obie

My TI, sounds like the same model but with Olive wood scales, also came pre-sharpened from the factory. It was my first, and for two or three months, only razor. It wasn't ready and the results of this and my newbie technique were… interesting. After getting a truly sharp blade and finding a coticule in my back building I eventually got it up to its present speed and it's a lovely shaver. Used it an hour or so ago and will never get rid of it. Lovely looking thing too, once I got rid of the gold but that's just me.

Gentlemen,

In the end I chose to send all three of my Thiers-Issard straights to Lynn for honing. Life's too short.

Regards,

Obie