Thread: Thiers-Issard "Grass Hatched Sculpted Spine"

Hi. I am thinking to purchase one of these razors in 5/8 from here Vintage Blades LLC*::*Thiers-Issard Straight Razors*::*Thiers-Issard "Grass Hatched Sculpted Spine", 5/8" Carbon Steel Straight Razor - Bocote Wood - Professionally Honed
I am wondering if anyone here owns one of these and if you can tell me a little bit about it. Maybe compare it with other TI's. Any info will be highly appreciated as will help me decide if I want to order this one or should I look for another. The main thing that attracted me to this razor is the worked spine I have to admit.

My dear Justacat,

I have the version of this razor with snake wood scales. At least I think it's the same blade. Mine is a beautiful razor and a good shaver. One note of caution, though, on these Thiers-Issard razors with wood handles. Check over the scales and fittings carefully for flaws. Thiers-Issards, in my pilgrim's experience, are lovely and great razors, but occasionally you run into one with less than desirable fittings.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear Justacat,

I have the version of this razor with snake wood scales. At least I think it's the same blade. Mine is a beautiful razor and a good shaver. One note of caution, though, on these Thiers-Issard razors with wood handles. Check over the scales and fittings carefully for flaws. Thiers-Issards, in my pilgrim's experience, are lovely and great razors, but occasionally you run into one with less than desirable fittings.

Regards,
Obie

Thank you Obie. If you will have to choose between this razor and ... let's say the 1/4 grind TI LeGrelot or the 8/8 friodur or W.Greaves or John Barber or maybe Dorko or HBoker ... will you say that this razor is in the same league as those... from a shaving quality point of view, or do you think this razor rather compares to Dovo's and Wacker's or maybe not even with those.

My dear Justacat,

Perhaps that would be a question for the experts on this forum. I cannot compare the 5/8" Thiers-Issard you mention to the 6/8" Le Grelot, the 8/8" Friodur, or the Greaves, Barber and Dorko. I don't own any of them except the Thiers-Issard 5/8" snake wood, which is close to yours.

I do own the new version of the Boker "Edelweiss" and cannot comment on how it would compare the those of the past, since I don't own any of them either. The Boker I own, however, is one of the best shavers I have. I think it's a fabulous razor, and lovely in the white bone scales.

If I were to choose for shaving quality between my Boker "Edelweiss" 5/8" and my Thiers-Issard "Le Bijou" 5/8" with snake wood scales, I would take the Boker. For me, it's a much better shaver, although the Thiers-Issard is a good shaver, too.

As for the Dovos, I own several now, including a "Bergisher Lowe." The best of the shavers is the 6/8" "Renaissance." It's not only a gorgeous razor, but it's a great shavers. I own one 6/8" Wacker, and though a beautiful razor, it has proved to be a disappointment as a shaver.

My best shaver, and the most beautiful, I might add, is the 6/8"-7/8" Thiers-Issard "Spartacus" with white bone scales. I love this razor. It's royalty among the shavers I own. Sometimes I open it up and just look at it for it's beauty.

I must say, more and more, with my heavy beard, I lean toward the 6/8" razors. With some exceptions, they seem to shave better for me.

Regards,
Obie

Thank you Obie for the most helpful reply. I own pretty much al the razors that you mention and since the Boker "Edelweiss" 5/8" is above the TI that makes me think that if I decide to get the TI I will get it more for the looks than for performance. It is clear that this will not change my best 5 or even 10 shavers top but I don't know why I love that spine. Anyway thank you again for your response you helped me draw one important conclusion... if I'll get the TI Le Bijou I will get it for the looks and I will except a good shaver but nothing out of the extraordinary. Cheers,
Alex (justacat)

My dear Alex,

You are very welcome. The TI is a gorgeous razor, indeed, and a good shave. Mine with the snake wood scales is. I'm sure you will enjoy your purchase. Enjoy.

Regards,
Obie

Alex .... why do you ask ? You know you're going to eventually get them all anyway.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Alex .... why do you ask ? You know you're going to eventually get them all anyway.

Well Jimmy to be honest I am interested in that razor because I recently lost the helje 7 day set from tradera.com. I went up to $1500 but someone offered more than me and I am looking for a mint 7 day set for a while and I am thinking to get this one: Thiers-Issard Straight Razors

I love the way those 7 razors look, especially the spine work on each one so if I find out that they are quite some shavers too I will probably get them since the christmas is coming . I've been looking at that set for a while now trying to "justify" the price and now that I lost the helje set I don't think I will find something similar to soon so I might just get the TI set before someone else beats me to that one also.

Alex, forum member blueprinciple is the proprietor of The Invisible Edge in the UK. He is also a distributor of TI in the UK. Here is a custom made set of 7 TIs with ivory scales that a forum member got through him. It is my understanding that TI will custom make a style that you select if you go through Steve (blueprinciple). You can select grind, point, blade width, and of course within reason scale material.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Alex, forum member blueprinciple is the proprietor of The Invisible Edge in the UK. He is also a distributor of TI in the UK. Here is a custom made set of 7 TIs with ivory scales that a forum member got through him. It is my understanding that TI will custom make a style that you select if you go through Steve (blueprinciple). You can select grind, point, blade width, and of course within reason scale material.

Thank you so much Jimmy. I will contact "blueprinciple" right now and ask a few questions.