We're going to be trying something new at SRP for a little while, and see how it works. We're going to be doing some 'offical' SRP reviews of products out there in the Straight Razor World. Preferably some of the lesser known products that don't get talked about as often. If it goes over well, we will try and do one around once a week or so.
We're going to kick it off with a Historic Straight Razor Box made by Thiers Issard. It was donated by the fine folks at
Classic Shaving. The box runs $229.99 at Classic Shaving.
The box is a replica of a 1900's version. I've really put some work into finding some images of the original to compare with, or someone with an original. But unfortunately haven't had any luck. I'm sure there are some tucked into corners of antique stores, but I doubt it anyone knows what they have. I think it would be really interesting to see the differences in the two versions. I've emailed TI to see if they have any images floating around. I'm sure they took digital photos of everything in the 1900's, like we do today.
The box itself comes with a small double sided strop, shaving bowl, and soap. Of course you can tell all this from the product pages
..
The strop is pretty light, and when I pulled it out of the box I wasn't compeltely hopeful. I like my paddle strops to have a bit of heft to them, but this one worked alot better then I expected. It's got a coarse black leather side, and a smooth brown leather side. I've never stropped with coarse black leather before, and was pleasantly surprised. And the brown leather side is exactly what you would expect of it. After I got used to the light weight of the strop, it worked pretty damn well.
If your a glycerin soap user, and you melt your soap in the microwave like I do.. Don't do that in this bowl
. Other then that it's a stainless steel shaving bowl.
The case itself holds two razors (You can see I've got my favorite razor tucked in there, a Red Bismarck I got from Lynn. It's one of the older ones before they changed the red coloring on the scales, and a Blue Steel razor as well). My only real complaint about the box is that I could see the razors moving around a bit to much if you use this for travelling. I would probably pack the razors seperately, and use this as a case for the strop and soap material. Plus there's an extra compartment in the middle for misc items. (In the pictures you'll see a cloth, which I guess is for cleaning the mirror?).
The box is made from beechwood, and is solidly constructed. I'll say that to the point that I think it would travel well, if packed inside a suitcase (You could probably put the razors in, and pack some tissue below them and be just fine). When I travel, I'm usually on the road for a week or more at a time. And I like to 'move into' the hotel room. So to be able to take nice shaving equipment with me, is a real plus.
Positive: It's a damn nice looking box (Nice enough for constant home use), with plenty of storage room for taking everything with you. It's made well, and should travel with you well.
Negative: The area for the razors is a bit to big for my tastes. But a little bit of paper stuffed at the bottom will fix that easily.
I'd give it a 3.5 out of 4 stars!
Historical TI Shaving Box Review
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