SRP LE Robert Williams razor or Thiers Issard Le Grelot with C135 steel/vintage

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm already leaning in one particular direction as I am sure many of you will be! However, I am looking at ordering one of these razors for myself to hopefully cure my SRAD. Also, before anyone suggests get both...that is simply not an option and continuing to stay married!

I am particularly interested in the oppinions of those that own both kinds, but any and all oppinions would be welcome. I would also very much be interested in the shave characteristics. I have done a lot of research on my own, but I would very much value the oppinion of those of you in the know here. I have sensitive skin and a fairly coarse beard. Also, I have only been shaving with a straight razor for about a month now. My shaves are certainly getting better and better and I am quite certain that this is something I will be continuing for the rest of my life.

Thanks in advance and great shaves to everyone!

A hard choice.
I do have a couple of vintage Le Grelots which are both excellent shavers and the SRP is on its way.
I think that you would be happy with either for a while :hmmm:

Both are great shavers. You won't go wrong with either however the SRP razor is a custom class limited edition razor. No contest to me which I would get.

Thank you for the advice gentlemen! Any further input from others who own either or both is also welcome!

I own the SRP LE (#5), but have not used a Le Grelot. It's not for a lack of want, since they've been on my List for many years now. Given the choice of the two I'd say the Robert Wiliams LE is the better bet, since no more than 200 will ever be produced, and it's a great shaver. Not that the TI would be a bad choice; the supply seems to have dwindled over the last couple years (and prices have dramatically increased as a result) but they can still be found from time to time. SRP razors, on the other hand, will be a lot more collectable IMO.

Hi Attila,

First, the Le Grelot is a vintage name by Thiers Issard, but the C135 Carbonsong steel is fairly current, so it's a vintage style, of current production.

Pros & cons....

The Le Grelot is a straight edge blade, i.e. not smiling, so stropping and honing are little more straight forward and IMO a little easier to learn. T.I.'s are excellent shavers, and the Carbonsong steel takes and holds a nice edge.

Some of the cons on T.I.'s are mostly quality control. Not too unusual to have blades that do not line perfectly between the scales, and sometimes uneven grinds on the blades.

The SRP L.E. is a very nice razor and shaves very nice too, but it is a smiling blade and therefore is a little (more challenging), different, to hone and strop.

Cons... You could have a long wait getting on the list now.

:gl:

Howard :)

I love my smiling blades a lot more then my regular blades. They see the most action in my shave den. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you guys for the very helpful replies (especially Howard for the breakdown)! I'm still pretty torn, though the SRP is so beautiful... My hats off to the designers and of course Mr. Williams, the craftsman!

I can't comment on the SRP LE but I just got a new C135 Le Grelot like full hollow. It was honed up by Glen, and it is an incredible shaver. You won't be disappointed.

I have both get the SRP no crapshoot on QC with SRP.

One of the things to consider is availability. Is the Grelot immediately available ? The WIlliams SRP LE has a waiting list. Robert sends them out first come first served. There will only be 200 SRP LE razors. I know RW is up over 100 but not sure how far. He is easy to communicate with. Send a PM to Papa Bull or and email and ask how long the wait is unless you want it now. In that case the Grelot might be the way to go.

I've got a couple of vintage Grelots and I have the RW SRP LE. If I could only keep one or the other I would opt for the LE without thinking twice.

I have shaved several times with both razors. The Williams LE is a great shaver and in my case taught me to greatly appreciate a smiling blade and it is a rare, limited edition custom by a master class razor craftsman. TI razors have a huge following because they are superb shavers with attractive looks for the most part. As has been mentioned, TI is having some QC issues. If you purchase a TI from a reputable vendor a problem should be taken care of. You will be able to find a TI in the future where the Williams LE may be very scarce.

My advice to you is purchase the Robert Williams SRP limited edition.

Wow...what a great endorsement by the both of you... I am quite certain now it will be the Wiliams!! The wife is going to kill me!! Hee hee... :D

SRP Limited....You're going to love it!! I love shaving with mine!! :tu

Howard :)

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Originally Posted by Attila

Wow...what a great endorsement by the both of you... I am quite certain now it will be the Wiliams!! The wife is going to kill me!! Hee hee... :D

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One thing to keep in mind, when it comes to straight razor acquisition and wives, it is always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. ;)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

One thing to keep in mind, when it comes to straight razor acquisition and wives, it is always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. ;)

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I swear you are a vat of wisdom/wise sayings.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

One thing to keep in mind, when it comes to straight razor acquisition and wives, it is always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. ;)

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SRP LE ordered!! You know...I have been inadvertently living by the "buy first apologize later" mantra the past year with DEs. I have since sold off the DEs I was willing to sell to justify my recent straight razor / hone / strop purchases. I don't really have anything else to sell now...ah well. I'll have a few months to figure something out, right??? ;)

I have the Robert Williams SRP LE# 51 and have had TI's . I would choose the SRP LE it shaves like a dream and I have gotten rid of all of the TI's this is just the way I feel I have never had any luck with any of the TI's I have ever owned I'm sure there is one out there that I may like but I haven't found it yet not saying All TI's are bad but Robert does outstanding work

Attilla, 'Love my SRP LE, though I needed to tweak the edge before enjoying the full goodness. I've tried vintage Le Grelots, but not the new steel. I'm assuming the new TI is also a heavy grind. The vintage heavy grind was not identical, but similar in feel to a Sheffield. If you like the sheffields - cool. I MUCH prefer Robert's steel, and if you like feedback from a heavy grind - Robert's will not disappoint. One reason I'm glad Robert did this run of razors is that I can now refer to a known blade when I say that not all heavy grinds are silent shavers. The LE has two siblings here, and I can't use any of them without making a happy face.