History of Thiers Issard

History

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.^[1] The "Chart of the Jurande" or the Professional Guild Charter of the time lists at least three "Thiers" as master razor makers.^[1]

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 cognoscenti and connoisseurs of fine cutlery.^[1]

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.^[1] From 1884 until his death in 1929 Pierre Thiers worked in his forge and died, reportedly, at work.^[1]

After his death, his son Pierre Thiers Jr. (1884–1962) assisted by his mother continued the family business.^[1] Pierre Thiers Jr. worked as an apprentice under his father and he was a skilled forger in his own right.^[1] As the business prospered more family members joined the company starting with Louis Thiers (1910–1985) and later by another Pierre Thiers (1914–1997).^[1]

In 1985 the Thiers Issard company was acquired by Gilles Reynewaeter.