Thread: 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!

Originally Posted by Whiggamore

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!

I know little about Canada and less about T I Razors, but somehow I don't think I would make this comparison! Sorry all you Canucks out there, but my impression is that T I out performs Canada any day of the week!

Vous ne savez pas le Québec? Parlez-vous en Français?

I think that is correct.

Back in the day if you traveled to Solingen you would go from block to block and see hundreds of cutlery makers. Many made razors and few did everything. Some bought razor blanks and some did did a variety of work. Some bought scales from scale makers. Some sent them out for hardening. As far as TI goes I don't know if they do it all but since there are so few people left I would guess they do. But I would guess they buy their scales from someone else. Why don't you E-mail them and ask? As far as the logo's go they do that so different venders can say thay have such and such a TI like eagle brand or one of the others but the razors are exactly the same unless one vender can get them to do a custom run of a particular model.

I'll stab at the dunhill question....

they made lots of different grades of rollagas lighters from brass to stainless steel to sterling silver to 18kgold as well as all sorts of plated versions. the sterling should say that or .925 the plated ones often listed how much plating there was (20 microns being the most common) the 14k and 18k are marked as such.
as for repairs and restorations a good tobacconist who sells dunhill or DuPont lighters should know of local craftsmen who can do the work or this link will take you to the dunhill site listing for authorized repairs and servicing... i have a fair number of dunhill lighters the old ones are nicer then the DuPonts!

Alright, thanks both of you!

I'm going for a Thiers-Issard from Classicshaving.com. Why not?

As for the Rollagas, I can't find a mark that would suggest what is is made of or plated with. I'll just have to find an expert in the area.

the dunhill markings would be stamped on the bottom of the lighter.

these folks might also be able to help