Thread: Picked these two up the other day

Hello all,
I just picked these two up from an antiques dealer for $20. I know the le gerlot is a razor blank from gerlot that theirs then produced. I think its a 6/8 with a 1/4 grind. Can anyone help me out with that? It also has metal/aluminum scales which is interesting. I have no idea how to proceed with the razor. I was looking around to try and determine what its worth but couldn't find any similar. On ebay there are le grelots by theirs from 58 to $200, If its a valuable blade and a good shaver i was going to but stag horn scales on it but if its not worth much or doesnt shave well I dont want to put that kind of money into it.
The second is a razor from joseph elliot. Again, I think it's a 6/8 with a half hollow grind any more info or thoughts on that one? It had gold leaf on the pressed horn handles and I was hoping to restore that. has anyone done that before?

They are both potentially very good quality. I would only ever consider resale if it was something I bought specifically to fix and resell. That actually never happens in my life. I buy them breath a little more life back into them and then keep them, or at least that is my current pattern. If you bought them to have and to hold I'd say put what ever scales tickles you on them and enjoy the shaving. They will both do well at that. The old horn scales look great and if it were mine I'd keep those ones.

Welcome to SRP!
Both razors are very high quality, both seems to be in very good condition with minimal restoration. The Elliot with the pressed horn scales is very cool probably from around 1850+-.

Le Grelot was a trademark owned by P. Hospital & Co, Thiers is a region in France very well knowed for its cutlery industries, Thiers Issard is a company from that region.

Your razor is an original Pierre Hospital & Co "Le Grelot" , the metal scales on it was because it was meant has a surgical razor. That doesnt make it less desirable its a very high quality razor and they are wonderful shavers.

When P. Hospital went out of business Thiers Issard purchase the company and their remaining razor blank, but yours is not one of them.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...rs-france.html

Do not re-scale anything,restore them to the orig condition,JMO

Agree with Pixelfixed. Those appear to be in far too nice condition to not restore to original.

I agree with the others. They may look a little dirty but put the polish to them and then a hone and you have some very nice razors.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Welcome to SRP!
Le Grelot was a trademark owned by P. Hospital & Co, Thiers is a region in France very well knowed for its cutlery industries, Thiers Issard is a company from that region.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...rs-france.html

Ok thanks that really clears things up. It was a little confusing since Theirs Issard bought them out, I thought that razor blanks bought by issard were stamped with Theirs.

I was planning on replacing the scales on the Le Gerlot with stag because I thought the aluminum scales were undesirable or something unheard of. I do like the scales now that the whole thing has been cleaned up a little and I think Ill definitely keep them. Does anyone know how to add the gold leaf to the Joseph elliot to restore it?

I took my adjustable speed dremel with polishing wheel to the razors today here are the results. I dont know if ill be able to use the le grelot during the day because its so shiny!

Very nice work! you should try the scales before replacing them.