Louis Joseph Thomain probably learnt with François Bazin and his uncle, Nicolas, before going to work for F.N. Voirin in Paris in 1871. He remained in the workshop after Voirin\'s death in 1885, finally setting up on his own in 1891. His bows, which are of a coistently high standard, follow Voirin\'s style. They are stamped \'L. Thomain à Paris\'.
Son of Nicolas François Joseph Thomain, Victor Thomain took up an arenticeship in Mirecourt with C.N. Bazin. He remained in his hometown until the mid 1890s, then ent a few years in Paris, where he was probably mainly occupied with restoration work. In around 1900 he left for London, where he worked for various firms, producing English-styled bows branded \'T. Victor\'.