Thiers-Issard Blade Markings & Dunhill Rollagas
A bit naive here.
I've been doing a bit of reading about straight razors and shaving with 'em but I am having trouble understanding the role a manufacturer, such as Thier-Issard, actually plays in manufacturing a straight razor. I had always assumed they started with the raw material and shipped a finished razor; what has me confused are the different blade markings I'm seeing with the Thiers-Issard blades.
Some are obviously special edition markings, but there seem to be an equal amount of razors with the "Loup et Bellier" mark or a fox and rooster mark. All of them have the Thiers-Issard stamp on the tang, of course.
Is it just a Thiers-Issard blade; honed and handled by another company? If that is the case, are all these straight razors advertised as Thiers-Issard created equally? I know that must sound a bit stupid. Like I said, naive here.
I like Thiers-Issard. Founded by a French god, a mix of English steel and French craftsmanship (a bit like Canada), and my barber uses one. The ray-gun always gets a couple days off when he gives me a shave with the "guillotine".
Another question, nothing to do with straight razors or this forum, but does anybody know anything about Dunhill lighters? This seems like a place to ask. I recently inherited a Rollagas, from the 50s, and I'd like to get it restored so I can use it. My Great-Grandfather swore it was solid gold, but I can't find evidence Dunhill even did something like that. You always want to believe the old man though.
Many thanks!