Thiers Issard

Thiers Issard or Thiers Issard Sabatier (French pronunciation: ​[tjɛʁ isaʁ sabatje]) is a French cutlery manufacturer; they are one of a number of companies using the Sabatier name. It exports a wide range of knives and straight razors to approximately thirty countries. They are viewed as one of the top cutlery firms in Europe.

They are considered, along with DOVO, as one of the leading manufacturers of straight razors in Europe as well as the rest of the world. They are also makers of exclusive and very expensive Damascus steel knives. They are located in Thiers, France, and are one of the better known of many cutlery manufacturers located in that area. They have also been manufacturing razor blades since 1920. Thiers Issard is popular with US retailers.

Thiers Issard was established in 1884 by Pierre Thiers, (1860–1929). He was part of a family of master razor makers. The Thiers family owned their own forge. The "Chart of the Jurande" or the Professional Guild Charter of the time lists at least three "Thiers" as master razor makers.

In 1870 Pierre Thiers started as an apprentice to a master razor maker and after twenty four years in the trade he had mastered the art well enough to become famous among the and connoisseurs of fine cutlery.

In 1884 Pierre Thiers established his own forge. He named his factory Thiers-Issard combining his last name and that of his wife as a way to differentiate himself from the rest of the family who owned similar businesses. From 1884 until his death in 1929 Pierre Thiers worked in his forge and died, reportedly, at work.

After his death, his son Pierre Thiers Jr. (1884–1962) assisted by his mother continued the family business. Pierre Thiers Jr. worked as an apprentice under his father and he was a skilled forger in his own right. As the business prospered more family members joined the company starting with Louis Thiers (1910–1985) and later by another Pierre Thiers (1914–1997).

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