Thread: Filarmonica C Mon hmmmm....

Gentlemen,
What's the history behind this pairing of C-Mon and Filarmonica? Was there a joint venture between the two at one time?

Obie....C-Mon really did not make anything themselves that I know of. They were simply distributors/retailers.
I do know for fact that the American Hone Company made some of the C-Mon hones.

C-Mon was a guy named Carl Monkhouse. He jobbed out razors to Solingen makers with the C-Mon name on them. He also had some produced marked Carl Monkhouse IIRC. Before the second world war he remained in Germany and Peter J. Michaels was the importer/distributor in the USA. Shortly before the outbreak of the war Monkhouse came to the USA and set up a manufacturing operation in upstate NY IIRC. When the affiliation between C-Mon and Filarmonica came to be I don't know, or how long it lasted. Probably not too long as there aren't that many around. That is all I know ..... or more accurately ..... think I know.

Hello, Randy,
I realize the case with C-Mon razors, as well as many others that served as distributors or retailers. I am curious about the connection between C-Mon razors and Filarmonica razors. For instance, in the double edge razor world, the shave heads for the British Edwin Jagger razors are made by Muhle of Germany. In that respect, what's the connection between C-Mon and Filarmonica, if any any?

You're right, Jimmy. I had a C-Mon with the Peter J. Michaels box. Still, I am curious about the tie between the C-Mon name and Filarmonica. This intrigues me.

It is interesting. Looking at razors such as FWE, Puma, dubl duck ..... I wonder which of the companies made the most of them. I've noticed similarities in blade shape/style between a C-Mon I have and an FWE Leader. I know Dovo supposedly made the Pumas at the very end. Of course there are Pumas with the dubl duck logo. I have a couple and they are great shavers. Filarmonica being in Spain made a razor as good, IME, as the Solingen brands and the Solingens pretty much dominated the market by the 1950s/60s. Too bad there wasn't a razor maker from those days with a penchant for documenting the history of the various companies so that razor mavens like ourselves had something to go with.

Jimmy, interesting thoughts. Thanks. The world of straight razors is a curious one, indeed, and I, too, wish someone had kept a record of all this. What intrigues me most of all, though, is wondering how many hands have held a, say, Frederick Reynolds from the around 1850. Or a Greaves. A Wade & Butcher. I have several of these old-timers and can't help but wonder who shaved with them before the razors graced my Hollywood face. All fascinating.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

It is interesting. Looking at razors such as FWE, Puma, dubl duck ..... I wonder which of the companies made the most of them. I've noticed similarities in blade shape/style between a C-Mon I have and an FWE Leader. I know Dovo supposedly made the Pumas at the very end. Of course there are Pumas with the dubl duck logo. I have a couple and they are great shavers. Filarmonica being in Spain made a razor as good, IME, as the Solingen brands and the Solingens pretty much dominated the market by the 1950s/60s. Too bad there wasn't a razor maker from those days with a penchant for documenting the history of the various companies so that razor mavens like ourselves had something to go with.

I will keep my ears open for information about the association between C-Mon and Filarmonica.
I know a few people here in Barcelona who may have something to add. I will post any news directly for everyones benefit.

Originally Posted by bonitomio

I will keep my ears open for information about the association between C-Mon and Filarmonica.
I know a few people here in Barcelona who may have something to add. I will post any news directly for everyones benefit.

Any historical info on Filarmonica's manufacture of razors would be welcome whether it included the C-Mon association or not.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Any historical info on Filarmonica's manufacture of razors would be welcome whether it included the C-Mon association or not.

Absolutely