Thread: Thiers-Issard Grelot Crown Silver Wing

A few years back I wrote an article reviewing the then new Silver Wing razor blank forgings using the CarbonSong 135 steel from Thiers-Issard. Well, evidently the factory was very pleased with that little write-up, and I was very happy to learn that they wanted me to review yet another new straight razor that they have had in the works.



What I’ve been sent to look at and try out is the new 11/16” Grelot Crown Silver Wing. I’m absolutely delighted with this little beauty for a whole bunch of reasons, but, before I wax enthusiastic, let me pause and give a word of explanation.

Thiers-Issard bought the original blanks from the Grelot factory when that company closed its doors. And of course it’s been no secret that the old Grelots proved incredibly popular with the straight razor community, so popular, in fact, that the stocks of the old Grelot razor blanks at Thiers-Issard are completely gone. Most especially the extra thick, shoulderless blanks with the round thumb notch are not to be had any longer.

And because of the popularity of that particular blade, a decision was taken at Thiers-Issard to recreate that Grelot razor in a new forging using the modern Carbonsong 135 steel, but not forgetting the techniques and grind that made the original so popular.



So what I have in my hands is Thiers-Issard's inauguration of the rebirth of this new Grelot forging in the form of the the Limited Edition Grelot Crown Silver Wing. At the factory they actually call this the CROWNSILWING, but I think that is too much of a mouthful and I’ll just refer to it as the Crown Wing for the rest of this article.

This is a lovely, round-nosed blade which sports TI’s fabulous mirror polish and some really brilliant sculpturing along the spine, all wrapped up in a handsome set of decorated, Cuban Mahogany scales.

Those scales are really worth a mention. They have been made from fine, old (historic) Cuban Mahogany. This wood is literally something like 100 years old and was 'rescued' from a factory in England where these furniture quality planks of Cuban Mahogany had been languishing in some forgotten storeroom before TI acquired them.

These scales have been varnish finished. To be more precise, they have been given two layers of varnish to serve as filler coats, following which these first coats have been gently knocked back with fine sandpaper and then buffed to a lustrous polish before a special crown and fleur-de-lys design has been laser engraved onto the side. The scales are already a rich, satisfying reddish brown, but I'm informed that one of the properties of Cuban Mahogany is that this coloration will become yet warmer and deeper with the passage of time. Think fine, Victorian age furniture (!)

Many readers have said that TI has had a bit of a problem with oversized scales in the past. I hear from the factory that this problem is being addressed and as they use up their older stocks this should no longer be an issue. I would say that these scales are still about two to three millimetres longer than they need to be, but compared to earlier scales on other TI razors I have in my possession the length of these scales is much improved and its not worth making a fuss about.

The blade, itself, is really wonderful. Because the heavy grind of the original was apparently so popular, the factory has endeavoured to make a thick grind to give similar qualities to those of the old quarter ground Grelot on which it is based.

Compared to the blade form of the classic Silver Wing, the Crown Wing is perhaps 3mm shorter overall, but is a slightly wider blade at 11/16" instead of the 5/8" of the older forging. It should be noted that the actual amount of cutting edge is slightly reduced, so that the Crown Wing offers an effective cutting edge of some 55mm compared to about 64mm on the edge of the original Silver Wing. In practice this tiny difference doesn't have an adverse impact on shaving performance and this razor gives the solidity and stiffness of a huge old wedge married to the ease and manoeuvrability of this smaller, shorter profile.



Now what really has me excited about the Crown Wing is the decoration along the spine of the razor. It is not that TI hasn’t offered decorated razor backs in the past, but earlier designs were always cut on a flattened area of the spine, while this new spine design has been deeply sculptured right onto the round of the razor back.

The design is an elegant interlacing of crowns and fleurs-de-lys on a field of diamonds. The fleur-de-lys is the symbol of France and the crown is, of course, synonymous with Thiers-Issard. I'm also told that the crown design was meant to indirectly refer to the nobility of the Cuban Mahogany as it pertained to the Victorian era, but your guess is as good as mine on that last one. Now to tell the truth, I was a bit worried that the deep spine decoration would cause problems on my leather strop, but the sculpturing has been properly polished up at the factory so I haven’t any issues concerning my strop leather to report.



Like the original on which it is based, this forging is a shoulderless grind which sweeps up gracefully into a generous thumb notch. Some of the older Grelots had gimping only on top or bottom but this new forging sports gimps both in the thumb notch and along the back of the tang which makes for very good control. Further, if you find your finger inching forward along the spine during your shave, you could be forgiven for imagining that the deep design sculpturing was intended as an extension to the gimping.

In addition to the decorated spine, the blade displays the usual Thiers-Issard branding on the front side of the tang and bears a discrete crown and serial number engraved on the reverse. On my razor the branding on the front side is stamped in, but I understand that this is to be phased out in favour of deep laser engraving which very positively emulates the stamping, but without any possible deformation of the metal.



In common with the earlier Silver Wing blade, the Crown Wing also has that outstanding mirror polish which the Carbonsong steel takes so well. This is not only elegant to look at, but also helps the blade resist corrosion. I understand that these new Grelot forgings are being subjected to an additional vibratory cleaning stage after they are hardened. This cleaning operation evidently allows for better and cleaner grinding, indirectly contributing to obtaining that high mirror finish which is characteristic of TI's blades. In fact, I personally have never had rust or water spotting issues with any of the mirror polished Carbonsong TI blades in my possession.

Aside from all the lovely look and feel of this razor, the Crown Wing really delivers when it comes to the shave. I’ve used it about four or five times since it arrived and I really like the shave it delivers. A few passes on clean leather was all the edge preparation I gave to the Crown Wing before using it, but it didn’t seem to need more. This blade really performs very nicely on my tough beard and I have no fault with either the sharpness or the handling. Happy whiskers, happy face!

My understanding is that TI has improved their method of sharpening such that the blades they deliver to the customer are really damn close to being ‘shave ready’. They say that have a new variable speed sharpening machine based on a proprietary mix of diamond and ceramic media which gives a very sharp edge right out of the box. However, they have dropped a final green chromium oxide pass from the sharpening regimen as that evidently made for a lot of clean up work afterward (something they wanted to avoid). Could the edge be better? Well I guess everyone has their own ‘sweet spot’ as regards straight razor sharpening and honing. But I can report that this blade (as it arrived from the factory) was absolutely shave ready for me. No, wait. Let me phrase it more strongly. This blade is the sharpest thing that TI has ever put into my hands right out of the factory. And to date, I haven’t been tempted to take the Crown Wing blade either to hone or pasted strop, so they must be doing something right.

I guess I shouldn’t forget to mention the presentation box which completes the Crown Wing package. This storage box is made of the same same warm, beautiful Cuban Mahogany as is used for the scales, and like the scales the box is finished with a few discreet coats of varnish. The rounded shape of the box is a clever rendition of the shape of the razor scales and is topped off with an inset, solid brass wing, engraved with the TI name and the same serial number as the razor. In passing I should say that I find the brass plate augments the Cuban Mahogany beautifully and is a much better choice for this box than would have been the silver coloured wing insets from the earlier Silver Wing editions. The inside of the box is finished off with soft, red flocked cloth and there is a special magnetic catch to hold the box closed. It is also worth pointing out that the older presentation boxes from the previous Silver Wing series were dyed Beechwood and as such would never develop the beautiful patina that can be expected from these Cuban Mahogany boxes. The whole effect is quite handsome, but if you tire of it, you can always use the thing to hold a few pencils or pens on your desk.

The entire run of this new Crown Silver Wing edition straight razor will be limited to 350 pieces: each one numbered and including it's matching numbered presentation box. Previous limited editions had been restricted to 300 pieces per run, but since there always seemed to be slightly more demand than supply it was decided to slightly raise the initial offering. (I guess that is a good thing, since according to my factory contact, fully one third of this new limited run has already been sold.)

The factory has also let me know that the limited edition Crown Wing razor is going to be initially set at the approximate pricing as follows: US & Canada $399, Europe €325 and in the UK £275. This seems to be a great price for what to me is essentially a collectable, custom razor with a beautiful case.

To sum it all up: considering the new blade shape and sharpening, the handsome sculpturing on the spine, the mirror polish and attractive, decorated Cuban Mahogany scales and presentation box... well, I guess I can only say that I think the Limited Edition Grelot Crown Silver Wing razor has really got to be one of the most special decorated razor packages that Thiers-Issard has ever offered.

Thanks for the review - if the kind folks over at TI ask if your reviews lead to sales, you can say yes. Minutes after reading your review I sent a note to Martin at rasurpur.de asking if he has any of these yet. He sent me a note back this morning saying he has five! Well, now he has four.

:D

Wow I fell in love with this razor right from the start. I am new to the world real men shaving and I am looking to buy a straight razor. And this one is simply amazing. Can anyone direct me as to how I can procure myself one of these?? Much appreciated!

invisable edge has them in stock

Recieved CW#9 on Friday, January 21st. Did nothing to it, didn't even wipe off the oil. Have shaved 3 times with it and I am amazed with this product. It feels great in my hands, and is smooth as silk on my face. Thanks again for your evaluation. And please do thanks the folks at Thiers.:rock:

I recieved my crown silverwing Thursday and at first glance i was really impressed.After a very scrutanizing viewing I have some issues.
1. The Box
The feathers of the wing on the brass inlay are not laying flat to the top of the box,looks as though it was set into a hollow that was not cut deep enough or was not properly weighted when secured in place with CA.The hinge is not in a correct placement for the lid to catch onto the magnet for closure,the hinges are not secured in anyway except a moderately snug fit and over time will need to be glued somehow or they will fail.
2. The Scales
The scales look to be A-symetrical as they were not taped together while fashioning them,this has created one to be longer than the other and they were not drilled together as they are askew.thus when the razor is closed the blade does not close perfectly centered,closes more to the pile side scale.The crest side scale has chitter marks from the router blade because it was either cut too fast or with a dull blade.finally the grain of the wood is cut two different ways,the crest side is cut with the grain and the pile side is cut against the grain.this makes for a easily cracked pile side scale even with careful use its going to split or crack just from age.
3. The Blade
The blade is beautiful.I cant find a single thing wrong with this blade.Its simply beautiful.
4.The Pins
The pile side head pin looks like it split the washer,as it may have been too long and just mashed a bit too hard to try and slip it through.it was bashed so hard it split the washer.after rescanning Lynn"s pics of the #1 sample it looks like the headpin might be the same...i can see its bashed but cant tell wether its split.

im not trying to be a complainer,but if you pay 400.00 for a razor you kinda expect someone to do just a bit of quality control.

the vendor is supposed to be forwarding my complaints to them.ill let yall know what happens.

This issue is being attended to by TI as we speak. As the vendor, we can of course replace/refund as wished but can't remedy the perceived faults. I have to say I did not notice them prior to despatch or it would not have been sent. I have spoken to TI this morning and they will be in contact with this customer - though I think they're a bit disappointed that they were given no chance to reply prior to the above post being made. As all know who have dealt with me, customer satisfaction is a real priority and we hope to resolve this matter very soon. BTW we have more of these in stock in the near future - and there is a waiting list!

Please do not let my post sway you from buying your own crown as these things happen with handmade works of art,yes,art.The design of the blade,the wood,the Thiers name are all things that prompted me to buy mine.They have been willing to go above and beyond normal procedeure in this case as I did not want a different razor,probably common in a serial numbered run.David at Thiers has been kind enough to rescale this razor so I may keep the low number that I wanted to keep.Like I said before the blade itself is beautiful.The laser etching of the spine will probably never be done again quite like this.The finish of the blade seems to just blend right into the hone bevel even with a 30x jewlers loupe.Its that good.I will be keeping the box as I really am not concerned with this as i can secure the barrel hinges myself with CA.The magnetic latch will work fine with a small steel washer inserted between the magnet and the steel closure.The wood on the box is a larger sample of the wood on the scales.The bottom of the box having a knot about 3/4 of an inch adds to the character of the already beautiful wood grain and reall dont want to lose that to a different box either.If you have one of these Crowns you know what i mean.Theyre through 1/3rd of production as i have been told so if you want one,you might want to get on a list soon.I will be posting the new pics when i get the blade rescaled,though it might take a while I have faith that it will be amazing.I buy about a dozen Case knives every year and always have this same luck having to send 2 or 3 back,usualy replaced by a different knife.Usually on the serial numbered ones they dont fix or repair them.They either give you a different number and destroy the defected one,or they sell out so fast you wind up having to keep the one that has a gapped backspring or loose pin,or whatever the defect is.So I would tell you all that if your concerned with my prior post of #19 that you may get a defect.Well you just might,but they are willing to not only make it right but to make you happy.

This razor is amazing. Easy to work around my ugly mug, even under my chin. Still smooth as silk and glides so sweet. I hope others are as lucky as I am. Thanks Thiers!!!

I am promised one of these from my vendor when they arrive, hopefully soon. As a smoker and somewhat collector of Cuban cigars as well this is a must have razor for me.

The review of this razor is absolutely first class, and the pictures are brilliant. Best review of a Straight razor I have ever seen.

Thank you, and well deserved that you got the number 1:)