Thread: Thiers-Issard singing razor

Has anyone had any first hand experience with the "singing" razor of Thiers-Issard? I see a few for sale, new, at around 180.00 or so, and was wondering if they are that much better than a 80.00 Dovo? The shape of them sure looks stunning.

I bought a 5/8 "singing TI with stamina wood scales from knifecenter.com as my first razor. Unfortunately that was before I found SRP and found out about factory honed and "shave ready" so after I received it I had to send it out for a professional honing before it was usuable. But after that it has worked flawlessly. I cannot rate it against an $80 razor but I can rate it against my $100-120 boker edelweiss, and dovo bismark both with bone scales. Honestly I rate the TI first followed by the boker and then the dovo. Although they are all 5/8 the TI is significantly bigger through the tang making it a little heavier and overall a meatier razor. As far as value only you can decide that. I can say as far as shave quality they are all superb, though the bone scales of my dovo have pulled away from the wedge making a floppy razor so fit and finish I lean towards the boker or TI but that is only my specific experience and to my knowledge is not representative of the brand.

My problem with the current production is that they call 'singing' something that's closer to half hollow ground. So, I sold mine, and have only the old stuff which I prefer.
I also subscribe to the idea that the only way to know for sure is to bite the bullet and give it a try.

Gibbs,

The C135 steel TIs labelled as 'Evide Sonnant' shave very nicely for me

As an aside, I have found the edges on these C135 razors, once dialled in, last very well indeed.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I saw some at knifecenter.com as well, but who has them that they come "pre-honed" I did not find them at Straight Razor Design.

Originally Posted by gugi

My problem with the current production is that they call 'singing' something that's closer to half hollow ground. So, I sold mine, and have only the old stuff which I prefer.
I also subscribe to the idea that the only way to know for sure is to bite the bullet and give it a try.

Could be you got the basso or baritone model rather than the soprano or mezzo style. Them's the breaks, I guess.

Half hollow grind don't shave as nice? Or, what is the purpose of a half-hollow grind vs the Full Hollow grind? Perks in the coffee maker better?

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Half hollow grind don't shave as nice? Or, what is the purpose of a half-hollow grind vs the Full Hollow grind? Perks in the coffee maker better?

It is making the straight razor process.
As technology developed people were able to make more hallow grind blade blade and save steel.

I like TI razors whether the older vintage or the current stuff. I think I have 14 of them at last count. IME they take and hold an edge and shave very well. On the downside their quality control can be lacking in the scale department. I have a workback with beautiful horn scales, for example, that are 1/8" short on the pile side.

Most are on the money but there is the occasional faux pas coming out of their factory from what I've seen and read. Great shavers though. Classic Shaving is an SRP sponsor and carries TI. If you're in Canada Rasage Poulin and in the UK member Steve Dempster TI UK and The Perfect Edge.

Hi Vern,
I don;t have the Evide Sonnant singing blade with C135 steel, but I have a SilverWing with the same steel. Russ is absolutely right, this steel once dialed in is an absolute dream to shave with .

Even at half hollow, it will shave very very nicely (heavier grind). Just make sure that it comes shave ready or if you're going to hone it yourself, be prepared to spend some time on the stones as the C135 is a hard steel (in my experience at least). I think you will love this blade.