New Thiers-Issard straight razor
Hello,
today I received Thiers-Issard straight razor (Le Dandy model,for beginners, fully ground (but not singing I think), from TI new production line). It's actually the second razor I ordered. The first one I ordered from some other online shop (both in Germany) was Dovo Special 5/8 which I sent it back to the seller because it had an edge frown. Some of you might remember a few posts (with URL to the photos of that DOVO) I made regarding that DOVO Special razor which were unfortunately deleted because I shouldn't had mentioned that vendor. Anyway, I was somewhat anxious about opening the package. After reading all those stories about bad assembly and QC of TI razors on the internet forums made me a bit concerned what I would get. I expressed my concerns to the seller and he offered me 30 day evaluation period (condition was that I return product unused in case I wouldn't like it). In past I have ordered japanese sharpening stones from this online shop and experienced only very good customer service so I could trust them. Btw the razor cost me about 100 EUR with shipping. Finally, I opened the package, opened the package razor box, took it from the black leather pouch, unwrapped two sheets of paper and I saw the Thiers-Issard razor. It immediately struck me that this is a quality. And I know when I see quality products, especially because my oldest and most persistent interest is about knives and blades in general.
I unfolded the oiled blade (slightly messy) and the feeling of unfolding was fairly stiff , there is no loseness here at all. In comparison to DOVO Special 5/8 I noticed that razor edge is straight with a slight :) and there is a substantial heft to the blade which DOVO Special doesn't have. It's wider, nominaly it's advertised as an 5/8 blade I think, but in reality it looks (I didn't measure it) like a 6/8 blade. The TI spine is significantly thicker than DOVO which contributes to the heft of the blade. The tang, tail and spine are mirror polished while the bevel is satin polished. "Le Dandy" is etched nicely on the bevel. The scales are polished black plastic, nothing special or exotic, I noticed at the top of the scales, above the pin the inner surface of scales is not smooth there, but that's really nothing to complain about. Compared to DOVO Special razor this is a real thing, not a toy. It looks like a real thing and it feels like a real thing. It's just beautiful and slightly intimidating. It was already too dark here to take some good photos without flash. I can do it tommorow for those who wish to see it. I wrote this post for all those newbies like myself who can't decide which razor they ought to buy. Don't waste your money on junk or subpar blades, buy Thiers-Issard, full ground blade. I think you will not regret it. I was suggested a TI Special Coiffeur by some as a beginners razors, but now after seeing new TI Le Dandy, it's (or any other Thiers-Issard fully ground blade) in my opinion a better choice, at least for those who prefer some heft to the blade.
