Thread: TI Le Grelot Historical vs new C135 Carbonsong Steel

Right now, I am torn between a new TI with C135 steel and a new TI made from a historical Le Grelot blank (both 6/8, full hollow). Everything else aside, which is the better shaver? I'd especially like to hear comparisons from those who have both. Honing and edge retention are non-issues for me; I am only interested in which offers the better shave.

Thanks guys!

PS - I searched a ton, but couldn't find the comparisons I'm looking for.

Never used either, but the original Le Grelot seems to get good reviews as do the new TI's. That said the c135 is supposed to be some hard steel, so I would say it's a safe bet the edge retention is better, but more work to hone. As far as shave goes, as long as it's sharp and honed right both will work well.

IME with both types I'd say get the one that appeals to you most. One is as good a shaver as the other. Just IMHO, YMMV.

Let me see ....
Great steel or Great steel.....
I would go for the Le Grelot blank only because there will be a limited number and both would be excellent shavers.

This is an Apples to Apples question but it asks which one is better for pie.

I prefer the Jonathan B. as it is firm and tart and I can adjust the sweetness and cooking time/temp (for tenderness) to my liking, some prefer the Granny Smith....

That Is one heck of a question and I look forward to the input, well more so the reasons behind the input.

Regards and watching with interest

Pat

Thanks so far guys. The Le Grelot is the direction I'm leaning right now; as pfries stated, they won't be around forever. I still hear great things about C135, but I find the lack of branding on the historic blank much more appealing--I prefer a more Spartan, utilitarian razor.

I have a vintage Le Grelot, and a new production TI. You can't go wrong with either IMO. They are both equally fantastic quality razors.

Originally Posted by pfries

This is an Apples to Apples question but it asks which one is better for pie.

I prefer the Jonathan B. as it is firm and tart and I can adjust the sweetness and cooking time/temp (for tenderness) to my liking, some prefer the Granny Smith....

Pat

Great. Now thanks to you I need to bake an apple pie...

I vote for the Le Grelot too. You can always get a C135 later.

Cheers.

I just purchased one if the 6/8 TI Le Grelots you are referring to and can attest it is a great razor and provides an outstanding shave. When in doubt, I always go with vintage steel--just a personal preference. Tried enough new production steel to know I like the old stuff better.

Have yet to hone it, may try tonight. If so, I'll let you know how it goes and provide pictures of the edge.

I have a vintage Le Grelot and a couple of the new TIs and I would definitely get the Le Grelot if I was in your shoes.

Well, my personal tastes have led me to keep only vintage TI and LeGrelots, all of the c135 I tried except may be one I've parted ways with them. It's not that they didn't shave well, that they did, but something was missing in the craftsmanship or the razor design Mind you my vintage ones are not perfect either but they just had the right aesthetics with imperfections, while the current production always seemed aesthetically wrong.

That's not the choice you're facing, I understand, and I'd say I prefer the feel of the vintage steel, but you may prefer otherwise and won't know until you've tried both for a while and that can also change with time.

The only new one I have is one of the limited editions, with the fancy wooden scales and curved box, but I don't really remember whether it was c135 or the old steel (too many razors, too little time and I've only shaved it once). It'll be the razor of my next shave.