Thread: Any experts on French Razors out there?

I have picked up, in the course of my RAD, several French razors. Thiers-Issard is obviously well known but does anyone have a guide to the less well known French makers?

It seems like Solingen and Sheffield have had reams written about them, and US razors have been well described but the French is like stumbling your way through a dark room. I mean there is more info about on Swedish manufacturers, yet my French 'no-name' razors are up there with my Henckels, Wusthofs, Wester Bros, Krusius Bros, Filarmonicas and Anton Bergs.

pictures will be needed.

If your razor is unmarked, how do you know it was made in France? . . . Just wondering. I'm certainly not an expert on French made razors, but I do have a couple that I will add to the list. One is just marked Paris, so I believe it was made in France, and the other is a Mezy Fils from St. Aingnan. Both are good quality razors and take a great edge.

Regards - Walt

You won't know for sure whether it was made in France or not. I have a Mappin Webb razor that I bought off ebay.fr that looks strikingly similar.

I'll have to update my photos for the later additions, but how could something like this be from anywhere but France?

The one above is the only true 'no name' with no maker's name stamped on it, only trade marks. The other names I have are:
Ravard Angers
Brousier Syrus
A. Vedel Artisan

Being french I got a few french razor in my collection but did not recognize this mark. I'm pretty active on one of the big french straight razor forum...yes the rave is not just on this side of the ocean. I took the liberty to post your picture on the french forum, should probably get some answer back in the days to come. I'll keep you posted! The forum is the "coupe choux club", or the "cabbage cutter club" if you prefer. This is the common name for a straight razor in france. Cabbage being a synonym for the head.

In the meantime here's a link to a list of mark that might be of interest. I've checked it rapdily but didn't see your mark.
http://www.sha.org/research_resource...0Tableware.pdf

I'll have to update my photos for the later additions, but how could something like this be from anywhere but France?

Pauly, I remember your topic about this razor. And I look for info about the razor.
The more I look, the more I think, that it's German razor.
It's my opinion for present day.

Manah, the 'font' of the numbers speak to me far me of Belle Epoque than Bauhaus. The subtlety of the curves and the triumph of form over function with the very narrow tang at the thumb notch leave me convinced that it is a French design. It also doesn't show on the photo but the spine tapers in width from toe to heel, which leads to the slight scythe shape in the blade edge.

Nanook, thank you very much. I will post some more photos soon of my others.

Well it took me a while to find your information
A friend on the french forum helped me. There seem to be a good change that your razor come from this place it would be a Thuillier-Lefrant from Nogent en Bassigny and would be around 1920-30. See a receipt below from this manufacturer.

Glad I could be of any help