Thread: Further thoughts on the Le Grelot

Dear Obie,

I also own the 6/8ths 1/4 hollow. It is a no brainer to hone (thanks to 0livia for putting a perfect edge on it!), and works very well as a shaver. Blunt, uninspring, but very efficient. As for size, I'll be selling my 5/8ths shortly to fund purchases of 7/8ths and 8/8ths. Goes with the territory, I guess.

Do keep us posted on your progress.

Best wishes,
Robin

I hate these threads. I MISSED one, because I'm stupid. Now I'll never get another chance...GAAHHH!

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your thoughts. As always, you are most gracious with your knowledge — and that is another mark of being a gentleman.

Regards,

Obie

The razor is just great.
I have a 5/8 Dovo Spike point, and the LeGrelot is much better. The heftiness is a definite plus for me. The 6/8 size is not at all a big change from 5/8 for me.

Originally Posted by JimR

I hate these threads. I MISSED one, because I'm stupid. Now I'll never get another chance...GAAHHH!

Like we used to say in the mineral collecting business, if the location was all mined out you could always use the Silver Rock Pick to pry loose some speciments. Eventually you will be able to get one...for the right price of course.

Quite honestly, I would go for a Dorko 300 rather than the Le Grelot. More bangs for the buck, and the shave is pretty much the same.

Yes, I am in love with that Dorko.

After reading this thread this morning I was inspired to shave with my Edwin Jagger version of the Le Grelot. The shave was very enjoyable. The only difference you might find in the CS version( aside from the nice red scales) is that it doesn't appear to have the slight smile of the Edwin Jagger. The balance and heft of the 6/8 blade is just right and it makes short work of my beard. YMMV but I think you would like the razor.

Nice blade Stropper! I'm a full-tilt Filly guy but will try out any 6/8 or larger half to quarter ground. I also missed out on the LeGrelot 1/4 because I'm stupid - I simply forgot to buy one. I even did some research on the blade and prices and posted it here. Geez. Dumb, dumb, dumb..... [as he slams his head into the wall repeatedly]

I own and use two "bells" and they are among my favorites. One is a quarter hollow finished by TI, the other a full hollow blade rescaled by Max. Keep in mind that Le Grelot was a competitor of TI and TI purchased their inventory. TI might finish many of the current Le Grelot blanks for sale at vendors, but did not forge them. There are many, many Le Grelot razors that have never passed through TI's hands. Take a peek at the French razor club for lots of examples of French razors.

I also started with 5/8ths blades, but over the past few years I have found my preference moving upward to 13/16ths. I'm very comfortable with the 6/8ths to 7/8ths range, but 13/16ths is my sweet spot. I'm considering selling all but a very few razors that are 11/16ths and under as I only use three of them with any frequency. I need to cut back anyway.

I doubt my personal evolution toward larger blades is unique. I think you would do well with a 6/8ths, and one of the models with the thumb notch in particular. My hands are small as well, and I really don't feel that makes much difference.