I just picked up this C-MON today for $35. I have seen these mentioned many times and thought I better pick it up. I have a few straights but have yet to use one, I need to send a couple out to be professionally made shave ready. I was wondering what say you about this razor? Does the red diamond mean anything about the model? The HF? Are the JM on the scales someone's initials? Possible age of the razor? Thanks all for any info about the particulars of the C-MON.
Ok.. In my Google search, I've found out the P J M are the importers initials, Peter J Michels. Also, evidently if it's from Brooklyn NY, it's pre-WWII. So far, that's all I can find, other than eBay listings.
Yes on the PJm. 'HF' for 'hand-forged'—hence the 'hammered tang & tail. More info: The C-Mon company was owned (and named for) Carl Monkhouse, Sr. When the company was in Germany - in the 1920s and 30s - Peter J. Michels was the exclusive US distributor. Monkhouse came to the US in 1937, and re-started the C-Mon company near Pittsburgh, PA. The company was later operated by his son, Carl Jr., who died in 2000. The C-Mon company still exists. The Peter J. Michels company went out of business in 1955. All of C-Mon scissors and razors marked as made in Germany are from 1937 or earlier. Wonderful razors!
Thank you! One of these days I really need to send you a couple of my straights to be cleaned up and made shave ready.
