What kind of steel is the NOS B&B Le Grelot?

I am getting close to being called about what I want in a custom razor. I have the shape, size, grind and scales pretty straight in my head. I keep buying razors and they just don't compare to the B&B Le Grelot for smoothness, keeness and duribility of the edge. The only problem I have with the Le Grelot is the size and shape. I would like something that is a little shorter and a different shape. I like the steel and the hardness is perfect, not to hard, not so soft. I recently bought a very high tempered steel razor and it not in the same league as my Le Grelots.

Thanks in advanced,
Richardl

I'm fairly certain that the Le Grelot is made of butter.

Did I spell it wrong?????



R

no, i was making a funny : (

Whew! I am so poor at spelling as it is and French...... Hey that was not funny1

but it's so smooth!

A nice heavy ground Wostenholm shaves better than the le grelot in my opinion. I have two of the 1/4 ground 6/8 le grelots, one is a B&B LE. The Wostenholm I have is the ebro razor.

well, if you only like it shorter and different shape the easiest is to get another one and modify it (or have it modified) accordingly

gugi said:

well, if you only like it shorter and different shape the easiest is to get another one and modify it (or have it modified) accordingly

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I have thought of that but it seems sacrilegious somehow. It this custom does not meet my expectations then that is probably what will happen with the second one that I have. I want a Irish point and I do not know how that would translate from a Le Grelot. If I could get the same steel, or close, then I would be happy.

Thanks,
Richard

ambrose said:

A nice heavy ground Wostenholm shaves better than the le grelot in my opinion. I have two of the 1/4 ground 6/8 le grelots, one is a B&B LE. The Wostenholm I have is the ebro razor.

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So you're advocating a J. Wostenholm, not the popular G. Wostenholm .

Frankly, I think just about all Sheffield steel feels that nice. I will know when I have tried more of it... someday... but for now my collection is complete barring a good antique store haul or some unforseen circumstances .

But yes, Sheffield steel is smooth as glass.

riooso said:

I am getting close to being called about what I want in a custom razor. I have the shape, size, grind and scales pretty straight in my head. I keep buying razors and they just don't compare to the B&B Le Grelot for smoothness, keeness and duribility of the edge. The only problem I have with the Le Grelot is the size and shape. I would like something that is a little shorter and a different shape. I like the steel and the hardness is perfect, not to hard, not so soft. I recently bought a very high tempered steel razor and it not in the same league as my Le Grelots.

Thanks in advanced,
Richardl

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Just wondering, what other brands have you tried? I peronally have not found the Le Grelot to be the holy grail of razors, but thats just me. That said, its definitely in the top 5% of my favorite shaves/razors/brands.

riooso said:

I have thought of that but it seems sacrilegious somehow.

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It doesn't seem sacrilegious to me - it's a shape LeGrelot picked and looking at their other razors (and especially their scales) they don't seem to have had much imagination. It's a mass produced razor, and they went out of business before selling their stock of these, so I say grind away until the blade has the shape you want.
I suspect you can't get the exact same steel anymore, it is something they could buy at the time, but I doubt you'll be able to find what was that exactly, and the steel industry has changed over the past several decades.
I don't even know if the tempering is done at TI or the blanks were already heat treated.

Hopefully you'll like your custom though.

I understand that LeGrelots were made from Swedish steel as were Wapis. The feel of the steel is remarkably similiar. Another piece of straight edge lore to ponder.

I modified mine, gave it a bit more of an oblique point.

That does look very good indeed!


R