New TI, uneven bevel, should I return it

Well, as the title suggest I got a Loup et Belier in black horn from CS with a irregular looking bevel. It is wide in the middle and tapers off when moving to the heel and toe. The backside looks fine. Anyway, should I return/exchange it or can it be fixed? I am always up for a challenge. However, this is a new razor. I do not mind small imperfections but this is way too much for me. I recently got a le Grelot and it was perfect. Well, it had some real minor issues. But nothing like the one I just got.

Whenever i get something from a store especially items $100+ I return them if theirs problems.

In your case that's like getting a gun with a crooked barrel - return :rant:

Could you post a picture?

Many TI have irregular bevel and some honing issue as a consequence, but they are all great shavers. If you are looking for perfection probably TI is not your brand. If you look for performance TI are at top.

So it is even from point to heel on one side and wider at the middle tapering down at point and heel ...... I don't know. It might be something to do with the spine on the one side, or just sloppy finishing at the factory. Been known to happen. I'd just send it back to classic for a replacement. Once you mess with it the razor is yours no matter what.

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Originally Posted by Sterm

Many TI have irregular bevel and some honing issue as a consequence, but they are all great shavers. If you are looking for perfection probably TI is not your brand. If you look for performance TI are at top.

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This is not my first TI. I did not put down 250 dollars to have a seriously uneven bevel.

+1 with Jimmy

If it bothers you enough to post here, IMHO it bothers you enough to return it :)

You don't really need to ask - just return it and ask for a replacement or refund. At that price it's a no brainier.

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Originally Posted by CastSteel

Could you post a picture?

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I am really not in the mood. Family squabbles and such are draining me. I love it when I get caught between my sis and my mom's petty squabbles.

Anyway, I think I will sleep on it and get a fresh perspective on things.

Send it back and let the retailer know you are particular and ask him to personally check the piece before sending it out. With TI it's a crap shoot, you might get a replacement far worse than what you have now. If it's CS they know what to look for.

Big + 1 on what TBS posted. I know the feeling, you have it in your hand, you're frustrated and it is a hassle to pack it, go to the PO and mail it back. I"ve 'settled' for less than I paid for in the past because of those feelings, and I always kicked myself in the pants for not returning whatever it was. Go through the hassle. You'll be glad you did in the long run.

I've got an Oak Wing G with the same type of bevel. Wide in the middle on one side and thinner at the toe and heal. Expected to see just the opposite on the other side, but it's an even bevel. When honing, it moves the water evenly with no issues. I'm guessing its somehow the grinding or polishing, but :shrug:. The blade also just misses touching the scales at the toe when closing. TI has some quality issues at times. Still, I like the razor and all my TI's shave great. :D

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Originally Posted by Mephisto

This is not my first TI. I did not put down 250 dollars to have a seriously uneven bevel.

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Well I think you just answered your question right there =]

Well, you guys have been there. I mean the etching and polish for the blade look great. The horn handles are solid black. It closes fine but the pins needed tightening. Or just some washers? Why does TI not put washers between the scales and the razor?

Anyway, I have been wanting this razor for the past year and now it is here. Anyway, I really do need to publish a pic. I was looking at it again. The heel of the front has more wear than I originally thought. So basically, the bevel seriously tapers off towards the toe. But the bevel is still wider on the front than the back.

Crap, I think I am just trying to rationalize keeping it. Because, what if all of them are like that? I think that this is the last batch of Sheffield Steel blades. Well, ones that will actually have the Sheffield steel.

Actually, I just looked on the CS website and they are out of the Loup et Bélier. I guess I got one of the last ones or the last one.

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Why does TI not put washers between the scales and the razor?

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Show me a french razor with washers at this place. I guess it's fairly rare.

Not sure you want it if it was the last they had. Might be a reason for it. Send it back. They'll sell it to someone else, and you'll get one you're happy with. A plus plus.

re-set the bevel and make it truly yours :-)

Send it back! My first shaver was an AOS dovo. I didnt know it at the time but the edge at the toe was short. I honed it as it was my first hone and it still shaved like crap. I put it aside and just now got it shaving well. Breadknife slightly on dmt and lots of laps. 1 hour on the bevel set. I hate tape so its got some spine wear. If I would have known I would have returned it.

If you have the time and the inclination could you post a pic of both sides of the bevel ? Just curious to see how far one side is from the other.

The last five or so TIs I have had in for honing, plus my own, have all had slight defects that led to uneven hone wear. There has been a distinct bulge halfway along the spine of one which made it rock and which had to be removed, the grind was thicker at one end than on another on one side of the razor on one, one had a 'pinch' in the middle of the spine on both sides and the other two had combinations of both. Two had goldwash designs that were placed lop-sided, too. QC ain't what it used to be!

Regards,
Neil

Ok, so here are some pics. I added red lines to highlight the shape of the bevel. Btw, another reason I like the particular make and configuration is that I graduated from VCU. Our school colors are black and gold. Plus our mascot is a ram.

Attachment 126592

Attachment 126593

Just think of it this way. Maybe someone else bought it and returned it and now you got it.

Personally, I'd send it back. Don't talk yourself into keeping it cause down the road you will be sorry.

5 saddest words in the English Language: The Razor could have been! Send it back. Call or email them 1st.

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Originally Posted by Johnus

5 saddest words in the English Language: The Razor could have been! Send it back. Call or email them 1st.

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The 5 saddest words? Never! How about "drink up gentlemen, last orders" - I rest my case.

Regards,
Neil

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

The 5 saddest words? Never! How about "drink up gentlemen, last orders" - I rest my case.

Regards,
Neil

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Before I finally put the plug in the jug for good, one day at a time ...... when I was closing up them gin mills the barmaid used to say," Last call for alcohol."

Back to the razor. I would guess it is either sloppy workmanship on that blade at TI, as I've already said, or the spine is not symmetrical from one side to the other, perhaps slightly warped ? So you can say , well I can fix it ...... and I'm certain you can hone it up and live with the unequal bevel. The question is , do you really want a brand new razor that you have to fix ? Not to mention that assumes you can fix it to your satisfaction. Just more food for thought until Monday when Classic is open again.

You should not have to keep a defective razor that's bought new. No way. No how. You expressed an earlier concern that this is the last of the razors and if you return this one, you may never get it again. At this point, ask yourself a question about what you really want. Do you want this razor in perfect shape at full price or would you be willing to accept a used or not-perfect version at a substantial discount?

In the first option, if the answer is yes, then there's nothing the vendor can do except take it back and refund your money and then you keep looking for a new one somewhere. In the second version, if you answer yes,then the vendor has the option of refunding a portion of the money since the item is obviously not perfect. That might be a welcome solution for the both of you. You don't get the perfect razor you wanted, but you will get value for your money and the vendor doesn't have to deal with discounting the razor now that it's publicly known it's not right.

Well, I just sent an email to CS asking for an exchange. As much as I like the razor, I know I cannot tolerate the bevel issue. I did ask for a Hart steel razor instead of another TI. I have a Le Grelot that I am very happy with and maybe I should get an American made razor to go with the French. I have been really wanting the Loup et Belier but I can live without it. I cannot live with the bevel. Knowing me I would end up doing some drastic surgery on the bevel which would sort of resolve the issue. I guess there is someone out there who would take it even with the bevel issue. Anyway, I guess I will hear back from them on Monday.

I sent an email to them, no word yet, sort of getting frustrated now. I was trying to take this in stride but things start eat at you.

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Originally Posted by Mephisto

I sent an email to them, no word yet, sort of getting frustrated now. I was trying to take this in stride but things start eat at you.

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Call them on the telephone. Ask for Will. I think he is still the head guy. Mention that most on SRP suggested you return it. Just so he knows you are part of SRP.

SRP is a sort of three letter agency ain't it?

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Call them on the telephone. Ask for Will. I think he is still the head guy. Mention that most on SRP suggested you return it. Just so he knows you are part of SRP.

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In my original email I put a link to this thread hoping that would expedite things. Anyway, I will give them a call tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Neil Miller

The last five or so TIs I have had in for honing, plus my own, have all had slight defects that led to uneven hone wear. There has been a distinct bulge halfway along the spine of one which made it rock and which had to be removed, the grind was thicker at one end than on another on one side of the razor on one, one had a 'pinch' in the middle of the spine on both sides and the other two had combinations of both. Two had goldwash designs that were placed lop-sided, too. QC ain't what it used to be!

Regards,
Neil

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I did read here I think a while ago that TI had issues with this sort of thing. It disappointed me a little as I like the look of them. I probably would have bought one by now if I hadn't read that...A lop-sided goldwash would drive me completely insane...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I did read here I think a while ago that TI had issues with this sort of thing. It disappointed me a little as I like the look of them. I probably would have bought one by now if I hadn't read that...A lop-sided goldwash would drive me completely insane...

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Well, I have had some w/o issues but it seems that there are a lot that do. My first TI looked fine. Of course it was my second razor. It looked shiny so it was nice to me. The 2nd, well, was a PITA to hone. Not sure what was wrong with it but it did not make good contact with the stone. I mean 45 degree or otherwise. I am with a Grelot now. She is great. So I was hoping to match it with the Loup et Belier. Anyway, I wanna say stay away but they are great shavers. They do have a nice look to them, je ne sais quoi, but it separates them from the others razors. It seems to me razor manufactures should own up to mistakes. Anyway, not here to bash, just vent a little until this debacle gets corrected.

calling seemed to work better. the lady who does customer service was out sick so there was a back log.

Well, took awhile but I will be getting a new Hart Razor soon. The tech guy at classic shaving agreed, stating it was a very 'wobbly bevel'.

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Originally Posted by Mephisto

Well, took awhile but I will be getting a new Hart Razor soon. The tech guy at classic shaving agreed, stating it was a very 'wobbly bevel'.

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Hope you like your new razor. Sounds like you made a good choice.

Attachment 129164

Well, the Hart razor finally arrived, must say I like it a lot. I think CS handled everything well. In the end, I am happy though I did get a little impatient.

That Hart is beautiful! Congrats!