Thread: 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.

Glad to hear that you like your new TI. I've got more than a few of them and I am very happy with them. On a couple the scales are uneven at the top from one side to the other but most of them are perfect and all are great shavers.

Well , I have Dovo Ebony Spike point and its just fine. I do not get your point of concluding that Dovo is bad brand based on single experience. Some people might say the same about TI and just about any other maker of any kind of goods in the world.
I understand your point, though, about getting frustrated over an item that is supposed to be precision made especially at the price tag it carries.
I think the entity to blame here is the seller who did not make sure that the razor does not have flaws. I always try to prevent experiences like that by making sure to specifically request inspection before shipping.

I am glad you got your problem resolved in the best way possible.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Well , I have Dovo Ebony Spike point and its just fine. I do not get your point of concluding that Dovo is bad brand based on single experience. Some people might say the same about TI and just about any other maker of any kind of goods in the world.
I understand your point, though, about getting frustrated over an item that is supposed to be precision made especially at the price tag it carries.
I think the entity to blame here is the seller who did not make sure that the razor does not flaws. I always try to prevent experiences like that by making sure to specifically request inspection before shipping.

I am glad you got your problem resolved in the best way possible.

I tend to agree with what you wrote. I didn't mean to trash DOVO though it perhaps sounded that way. The DOVO razors are perhaps a choice for persons who are probably not a blade enthusiasts. The problem was that online dealer who sold me a de facto defective DOVO razor after personally inspecting the very blade. Also I was not fully refunded after returning the blade to that seller. I would mention the sellers name and that online store but last time I did that I got banned for some time so I prefer not to do this in public. He will get his **** back sooner or later, in one way or another according to karmic laws. However, still my impression is that Thiers Issard razors are class above DOVO and probably all others.

Gentlemen,

My current straight razor collection is modest. It includes three Thiere-Issards, two Dovos and one Boker. At one time I owned four Dovos, which I had to sell due to a hand injury. When my hand improved, I bought the new collection.

Altogether, then, I have owned six Dovos. One had a loose fitting so that the razor would slam closed into the handle rather than close with the proper tension. The rest of them were and are very well put together.

My three new Thiers-Issards are gorgeous, and great shavers, but the most expensive one had some obvious defects and was replaced by the vendor.

The one razor in my collection that really impresses me is the Boker Edelweisse, not only for being well put together, for balance and shaving capability.

I have heard some grumbling about the Thiers-Issards having problems with proper fitting. I also have heard about the quality of the new Dovos missing the spark of the older ones.

I also have heard musing comparing the new Bokers to the old ones — that are the new ones as good as the old ones?

I suppose the experts on this forum can impart their wisdom on this issue. Or is it the question of hitting it lucky with a razor?

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

...

I suppose the experts on this forum can impart their wisdom on this issue. Or is it the question of hitting it lucky with a razor?

Regards,

Obie

Hm let's see ... no I don't think it's a matter of luck as some here and elsewhere would have you believe. Only a fool solely relies on luck. I based my decision to buy DOVO Special on internet reviews and opinions made by some supposed experts on that particular razor. All I can conclude that I made a wrong decision. Even if that DOVO Special had a straight edge it would still be without a doubt a lesser razor, a lesser quality blade than this Thiers-Issard Le Dandy I have got. Btw three weeks ago I wrote an email to DOVO factory describing the problem (with link to the photos of that frown edged DOVO Special) and haven't received a proper answer so far.
Strangely there are surprisingly few reviews of the new Thiers-Issard rasors compared to various DOVO razor reviews. That's the reason I posted this thread. To inform newbies, working persons or person interested in straight razors which razor to spend their hard earned money on. TI blade is top quality and the razor is solid. Scales may not be some flashy mother of pearls nor exotic wood nor there is golden etching... superficial things which I don't care about anyway. Some people prefer such things, while some other prefer the quality of this remarkable razor blade itself. Thiers-Issard razors are made for the latter.

I guess I'll just give you my opinion straight.

Your recommendation is complete BS, because you are absolutely unqualified on the subject you are opining.

You have not shaved with a straight razor yet, so recommending a razor brand or model based on how hefty or how polished the one example you have seen is not only presumptuous, but completely amateurish.

My suggestion would be to first get some actual experience with shaving with straight razors and then act like you're an expert.

Wow.

Nuff' said.

I get the distinct feeling I missed something...

Hyperborean,

In my rotation I use:

1) Dovo Best 1/2 hollow
2) Dovo Special Full Hollow
3) TI Special Coiffure C135 1/2 hollow
4) TI Spartacus full C135 hollow

1 can be compared to 3, and 2 to 4.

All these razors shave wonderfully, and in terms of quality all are up to the mark. I use all of them most happily.

Best regards

Russ