TI Le Grelot: Snakewood, Ram, Blond Horn, Ironwood?

I'm looking to get a second straightrazor for my birthday.

My first and only razor for the past three years has been a Dovo Best Quality with black plastic scales (the blade looks more French Nose than Round). I've more or less decided on a TI Le Grelot, but am torn between Snakewood, Ram, Blond Horn, Ironwood.

Any scales to avoid because of potential for water damage, or slippery grip? Any that work especially well for razors? In the wood versions, is the wood stabilized?

I'll be using this with my group-buy Thater.

Thanks!

I think the TI rams horn scales are some of the best I've ever seen. That would be my choice.

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Originally Posted by johnmrson

I think the TI rams horn scales are some of the best I've ever seen. That would be my choice.

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I definitely agree with this statement, however, I have not seen the TI ironwood scales in person. The rams horn scales are each very unique and I have liked each one. The Le Grelot will be a very nice second razor for you. Enjoy!!!

BTW Happy Birthday to you, Robb

I'm a fan of both snakewood and ironwood. If this is a new razor you're buying I would imagine the wood and horn have all been finished/treated/sealed correctly to resist water and corrosion.

My Ironwood Grelot
Attachment 79047

Attachment 79048

I was tempted to go with the blond horn but am very happy with my Ironwood TI.

I have an ironwood TI and it's just beautiful. do a search for Le grelot ironwood and you should find a pic

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Originally Posted by johnmrson

I think the TI rams horn scales are some of the best I've ever seen. That would be my choice.

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OK, that tipped the balance for me and I ordered the ram scales today! I can't wait for them to arrive, or rather, I can't wait for my birthday to arrive so I can open the package.

Realistically I would be delighted with any of the scales I mentioned above. But I wondered if either the ram horn or the blond cow horn would be more prone to warping or getting weird with moisture. Since nobody mentioned those types of problems here, I assume all the materials are properly stabilized.

Rightly or wrongly, I seem to see more wood scales than horn, so I figure I should jump on the ram horn now while good quality is available. I can get some wood scales later.

Thanks all for your help!

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Originally Posted by Jacketch

My Ironwood Grelot
Attachment 79047

Attachment 79048

I was tempted to go with the blond horn but am very happy with my Ironwood TI.

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Beautiful photos of a beautiful matched set. Thanks for posting.

I think any of the choices you mention would be great. I would buy the one that most appeals to you visually. You really can't go wrong. IMO, TI LGs are great shavers.

I have two 6/8 TI Le Grelots in Red Stamina and love them. If I could only keep one of my 35 razors, it would be a TI LG.

Happy Shaving!

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Originally Posted by RobbW

... I wondered if either the ram horn or the blond cow horn would be more prone to warping or getting weird with moisture. Since nobody mentioned those types of problems here, I assume all the materials are properly stabilized. ...

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It all boils down to how the material was prepared. There are tons of examples of scale material that has survived over 200 yrs. With proper care what ever you select should survive as long if the preparation of the material was done well. Do note that there have been reports that TI has had some quality issues w/ fit and finish of scale materials. I am only speaking of what I have read and one example I saw in person. Good luck with your selection.

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Originally Posted by Joed

It all boils down to how the material was prepared. There are tons of examples of scale material that has survived over 200 yrs. With proper care what ever you select should survive as long if the preparation of the material was done well. Do note that there have been reports that TI has had some quality issues w/ fit and finish of scale materials. I am only speaking of what I have read and one example I saw in person. Good luck with your selection.

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I've seen some of those comments about quality, too. Le Grelot seems to be one of those hot or cold models: people love the shave and style, but some have quality issues. I'm hoping for the best, we'll see.

The razor I purchased was honed by Lynn, so I have confidence in the edge. Hopefully the edge is also flat and straight so I can hone it successfully in the future. As for the scales--they're natural, so I'm comfortable with some imperfection. But if they're out-and-out defective, that would be a problem.

Thanks for the wishes.

You are going to love the Le grelot!

I have three of them and since I've bought them I've sold every other razor I have and only kept the Le Grelots.

I have them in bone ram and ivory.

Here is a quick pic of my Rams horn grelot to sway your decision!

Attachment 79175

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Originally Posted by DLB

I have two 6/8 TI Le Grelots in Red Stamina and love them. If I could only keep one of my 35 razors, it would be a TI LG.

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Wow, that's high praise indeed!

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Originally Posted by basil

You are going to love the Le grelot!

I have three of them and since I've bought them I've sold every other razor I have and only kept the Le Grelots.

I have them in bone ram and ivory.

Here is a quick pic of my Rams horn grelot to sway your decision!

Attachment 79175

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Great pic! Your and DLB's comments are amazing to me. One razor to rule them all. lol.

Haha very much so.

Only Le grelot for me.

Now if I really had to choose between them I'd go for my ivory one tho;)

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Originally Posted by basil

Haha very much so.
Only Le grelot for me.
Now if I really had to choose between them I'd go for my ivory one tho;)

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I wish I had ivory on all my Le Grelots. In my collection, I only have one razor with ivory scales, a J. R. Torrey. Nothing feels as good as ivory. It warms up in the hand the same way that pearls do.

I have created a 7-day set of French Razors:
White Plastic Scales:

• 6/8 Thiers-Issard, Medaille d'Argent, 1931, 69 Garanti
• 4/8 Le Grelot P-Hospital (NOS)
• 5/8 Le Grelot Universal Cutlery New York 150 (I)
• 5/8 Le Grelot Universal Cutlery New York 150 (II)

Red Stamina (Rosewood)Scales:

• 5/8 Le Grelot P-Hospital, Medaille d'or Paris, 1931 (originally black - being rescaled in Red Stamina)
• 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot (I)
• 6/8 Theirs-Issard Le Grelot (II)

I would rescale them all in Red Stamina except for the cost and for the fact that the 4/8 Le Grelot is an inch and a quarter shorter than all the others and the stock scales wouldn't work very well. Not everyone loves the TI Le Grelots but they feel very natural in my hand and IMO, strike a perfect balance between sharpness, smoothness, and comfort. I realize that this is highly subjective and that for others, YMMV.

At the current moment, my top five razors are:

1. 6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot
2. 5/8 Filarmonica Doble Temple 12
3. 13/16 J. A. Henckels 72 1/2
4. 6/8 Hart Steel
5. 6/8 Revisor Prima Solingen

[Others that constantly vie for "Top Five" consideration are a 6/8 Thiers-Issard, Medaille d'Argent, 1931, 69 Garanti; a 6/8 Heljestrand No. 6; and a 5/8 Dovo Prima Klang.]

Happy Shaving!

I've been thinking about getting another Le grelot but I think I will wait until I go to Paris for my honeymoon and get one from a razor shop there.

That way it has a nice meaning behind it.

Ps is that henckles the one I sent you?

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Originally Posted by basil

I've been thinking about getting another Le grelot but I think I will wait until I go to Paris for my honeymoon and get one from a razor shop there.
That way it has a nice meaning behind it.

Ps is that henckles the one I sent you?

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Good idea on getting the Le Grelot on your honeymoon! What will your wife get for her special item?

The Henckels 72 1/2 is one that I got from RazorBob on eBay.

Happy Shaving!

Lol what she needs something too??

She already has me!;)

Lol chances are she will get some nice shoes and a purse from the Paris shops:)

I was thinking of putting the TI rams horn scales on a couple of nice blades I've got at home but they're $175 a set.

I was recently looking at the ti replacement scales and i agree some of them are quite the pretty penny!

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Originally Posted by johnmrson

I was thinking of putting the TI rams horn scales on a couple of nice blades I've got at home but they're $175 a set.

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You make buying a new Le Grelot with Ram horn scales seem a positive bargain by comparison! Lol.

Today my Le Grelot arrived. I have to put it away until my birthday in mid-October, but I did open the package just to make sure there are no issues. The scales are beautiful, no defects or imperfections, just creamy ram's horn with nice grain and nice variation. The pins are not flush, they are all a bit proud, but just a touch. I may take a jewler's file and radius the pin edges a bit--they are a touch sharp to the touch.

I was surprised by how different the blade is than my Dovo. I like the Le Grelot. The spine is thick, easy to grip with good jimping and lots of room to grab with my fingers. I'm really amazed by how much easier this is to hold than my Dovo. The blade is also heavy and I can't wait to see what a blade of this weight shaves like. I think I'm in for a whole new experience.

Thanks again for the advice and observations. This is a great razor, and I can see why it has such a strong following. Can't wait to shave with it. It will be a perfect birthday gift.

When is your birthday??

I will mark that date down so I can hear all about the shave!


Sorry forgot to ask which Le grelot did you get???

On the 14th.

I got the ram horn scales. They are stunning, and I put it away until the big day. I'll post back when I use it the first time. My biggest impression was the overall level of quality, the overall weight, and the thickness of the spine and jimping. I thinking I'm really going to love this razor's shave!

Thanks for the interest.

Congratulations. My two TI LG razors are the best shavers in my collection. I hope you have a great experience with yours.

Be sure to post pictures when you post your review of the first shave with your new razor.


Happy Shaving!

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Originally Posted by DLB

I think any of the choices you mention would be great. I would buy the one that most appeals to you visually. You really can't go wrong. IMO, TI LGs are great shavers.

I have two 6/8 TI Le Grelots in Red Stamina and love them. If I could only keep one of my 35 razors, it would be a TI LG.

Happy Shaving!

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that's good feedback from such an experienced shaver.

So what happened to the pics you promised!!:)

I don't have a camera, but have a great report on a great razor. As I mentioned above, I've been using a Dovo Best for three years and that's the only straight I have experience with. It gives good shaves and i have no complaints with it at all. Yet the Le Grelot just blows it out of the water!

My first impression shaving was of the weight. It's considerably heavier than the Best, yet seemed well balanced and maneuverable. The spine is thick--really thick compared to the Best, and the blade is wide. I was amazed at how different a 6/8 is compared to a 5/8. It really holds a lot of lather! (I used Truefitt 1805 for the inaugural shave because my wife loves it. 1805 has always produced abundant lather for me). It is a bit harder to see around the edges when getting near the ears, that wide blade is harder to see around, but I'm sure I'll get used to the difference soon. Overall, I'm impressed with the blade's weight, width, and balance.

The shave itself was eye opening. By comparison, I had to push the Best a wee bit because it is a lightweight hollow ground. But the sheer weight of the Le Grelot meant that I could let the blade do all the work. It just "fell" over my whiskers and they seemed to melt before the edge. It was really that easy. My whiskers seemed to just fall out of the way. I can't believe there is so much difference between the razors--an edge is an edge, right? and it's the edge doing the work, right?--but there IS a huge difference. I can see why so many members here have strong preferences. This blade just glides over my face and smoothly removes whiskers with no seeming resistance. Amazingly comfortable. and kudos to Lynn on making it incredibly sharp.

As for the fit and finish, I was prepared for some quirks based on the maker's reputation. But the quality is outstanding! The scales are creamy with evenly-spaced figure throughout. From fore to aft, the figure is evenly spaced and centered top to bottom. The blade is ground well, and polish and fittings are all superb. In all, I'm very pleased and can't fault the razor at all.

Thanks to all for your help and encouragement. I'm delighted with the quality of the razor and of the shave it gives. In all, it was the perfect birthday present, and I can't wait for the group-order Thaeter to pair with it.

Vintage Le Grelot razors are very very good shaver, and as it's written here with minimum effort you can have very clean shave for years before having to resharp it with razor hone.

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