Vintage Le Grelot

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11-23-2009, 05:24 AM
Pendulum

Vintage Le Grelot

So I was at an antique show today in Iowa and me and the Future SWMBO were browsing the selection. Came across very few razors, about 5 total in t he whole building, but found one that I could not resist purchasing. It cost less than the $6 admission fee!

here is my vintage Le Grelot

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5107/dsc00687m.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22

As you can see the blade is well tarnished with some active rust but the edge is in decent shape, decent geometry (slight smile which i consider pretty normal). The handles are Horn i believe from the grain and look. The were not properly drilled on the pivot end so the scales don't line up correctly. Also the blade has to be guided into the scales as not to hit the handle.

So we go on to the makers mark closeup.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2151/dsc00689m.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22

Le Grelot Hospital. First impression was maybe used in the medical field for who knows what? But found later that it appears P. Hospital was a maker of sorts marked on many of the Le Grelot's you can find in searches. Note the lack of Country of Origin and city. I suspect this to mean it is pre 1881? I believe that was the date of the mandatory Country stamps IRRC.

Reverse side of the tang

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2862/dsc00688q.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22

Depose

I have no idea about this. Google brought up the word "file" as a translation from french. That's up for speculation I think. Maybe some version of warrant or guarantee. Idk

and lastly the blade etching

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5704/dsc00690r.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/476/dsc00691gl.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22

I know it's very hard to see but the etching I can make out for certain is seen in the first photo. "Soleil" is the last word of a three word phrase. The second picture shows a faint "Le" I believe to be the first word. In the middle I can barely make it out at all I thought "Ful" or maybe "Eul" It's hard to say.

Any other thoughts on the blade would be great, I wanna hear what you guys think.

Some final stats slightly larger than 6/8ths wide. 2 3/4 inch blade length and about 1/2 hollow ground.

Thanks for reading!

Chase
11-23-2009, 05:35 AM
MichaelP

That's a good find!

Depose in that context is the short version of "modele depose" which means trademark.

PS: the etching would be "Le roi soleil"
11-23-2009, 12:18 PM
dnjrboy

um, is that a crack running parallel to the edge I see? It's sort of just below the S in the etch. Visible best in the last 2 images.

Hope its not. Nice razor.
11-23-2009, 12:35 PM
Mandrake

Nice one, this is the etching in mine (now in better hands to bring it back to life):

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...S/IMG_4021.jpg
11-23-2009, 01:53 PM
DPflaumer

Take it from another engaged man my friend, there is no such thing as a future SWMBO. If you got to that point, it somehow magically already happened.
11-23-2009, 02:40 PM
Pendulum

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelP

PS: the etching would be "Le roi soleil"

This makes me happy to know what that said. The remaining etching definitely fits those letters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

Take it from another engaged man my friend, there is no such thing as a future SWMBO. If you got to that point, it somehow magically already happened.

A guy can pretend that he still might have his own free will
11-23-2009, 02:43 PM
Pendulum

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

um, is that a crack running parallel to the edge I see? It's sort of just below the S in the etch. Visible best in the last 2 images.

Hope its not. Nice razor.

No cracks, just some crisp edged tarnish
11-23-2009, 03:56 PM
Leon

Congratulations.

I have 3 Le Grelots. The lightweight "Royal Canada", the meat-chopper "Le Merle Blanc" and the hefty quarter-hollow ground.
I love them all.
11-23-2009, 11:01 PM
hi_bud_gl

very nice find congratulations.
i like them a lot
11-23-2009, 11:11 PM
Luc

Nice straight mate.

The above is right. Nice Spanish point! Never saw one like that.

I also have a 'Royal Canada', mine isn't as light as the one Leon seems to have...

Nice stuff!
11-25-2009, 12:47 AM
Pendulum

using maas on this blade now to see how shiny it will get. It's taking the black off a little at a time.
11-25-2009, 01:03 AM
59caddy

nice find...lucky catch on the blade
11-25-2009, 08:35 AM
Leon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc

I also have a 'Royal Canada', mine isn't as light as the one Leon seems to have...

Maybe I'm used to 7/8-8/8 meat choppers that a 5/8 seems lightweight to me :shrug: :D
11-26-2009, 01:36 PM
JonnyO

Nice blades. And 5/8 hollows seem like lightweights to me as well! ;)