Thread: First Restore Project C-Mon

I bought this when I first got into wetshaving about a year ago. I picked it up along with a barber hone. The hone wasn't lapped and the best edge I could put on it was decent, but.... I liked the way of shaving but not the end result. Then I got into DE shaving as a stop gap kind of thing and my C-Mon sat there. But I liked shaving with a straight and now I'm all in. So I have a shave ready straight on the way to use as a learning tool.

The C-Mon was in pretty good condition, but there was some pitting and one in particular that was unsightly and deep. So I decided recently to restore it.

It's not the best restore I've seen here... not by a long shot. I'm not happy with the pins. I bent the pivot pin a little, but it works alright. I would prefer brass pins. I may have see if I can pay someone to re-pin it when I send it out to be honed.

I originally thought I would need new scales, since these looks bad and I don't care for blonde scales that much. But it seemed a shame to part the two once these were polished.

Anyway I thought I would shave my attempt at preserving a bit of history.

What you talking bout?... she's a beautiful razor, original scales, silver pins accent the scales and match the polished blade well... that's a great restore.
C-Mons are very desirable razors and that one looks to be a 6/8th... not very common.

When we pin razors, we sometimes "unconsciously" hit the pin hard... that's because we are accustomed to “hard hammering” a nail to drive it home.

However in the case of pinning a razor, the pin (nail), has no where to go, so if you use anywhere near the same force, the pin will mushroom, but the excess force will also bend bend it… we must bear in mind that we only want to change the shape of the pin head, and the best way to do that is to "tap" lightly around the edge of the head so it will curl over and mushroom, until it contact the washer and that hold the scales with the blade tightly... be patient and don't become frustrated... many light taps (sometimes hundreds).

Treasure that razor my friend... and welcome back to straight shaving.

I think you deserve to pat yourself on the back. I think you did a stellar job there. Be proud of that razor and happy shaving. From the pictures, I also think you did a great job pinning that razor.

It's funny you should mention pinning. We all probably look at different things first or in the most detail when we view restore pictures. The first thing I always look at and look at the longest.......the pinning. I've just always been drawn to what method was used to re-pin a razor.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I think you deserve to pat yourself on the back. I think you did a stellar job there. Be proud of that razor and happy shaving. From the pictures, I also think you did a great job pinning that razor.

It's funny you should mention pinning. We all probably look at different things first or in the most detail when we view restore pictures. The first thing I always look at and look at the longest.......the pinning. I've just always been drawn to what method was used to re-pin a razor.

Chris L

The pinning. Oy the pinning. I bought two sets because I had a feeling. The first try I bent it right off. The second try I went lightly and it took all of 30 minutes to get the wedge nice and snug. Thinking about it I should have set it aside for another day. Even though the pin is slightly bent the razor centers. I found pinning to be hard as heck.

Originally Posted by smythe

What you talking bout?... she's a beautiful razor, original scales, silver pins accent the scales and match the polished blade well... that's a great restore.
C-Mons are very desirable razors and that one looks to be a 6/8th... not very common.

When we pin razors, we sometimes "unconsciously" hit the pin hard... that's because we are accustomed to “hard hammering” a nail to drive it home.

However in the case of pinning a razor, the pin (nail), has no where to go, so if you use anywhere near the same force, the pin will mushroom, but the excess force will also bend bend it… we must bear in mind that we only want to change the shape of the pin head, and the best way to do that is to "tap" lightly around the edge of the head so it will curl over and mushroom, until it contact the washer and that hold the scales with the blade tightly... be patient and don't become frustrated... many light taps (sometimes hundreds).

Treasure that razor my friend... and welcome back to straight shaving.

The first pin too a long, long time. (compared to the videos I watched on youtube that is) but it mushroomed well. I must have done 500 taps before I started to know how much was enough. My mistake on the pivot pin was impatience. I though I had the feel for it. I should have started lighter and got the feel again. Still the blade centers, but feeling the scales you can tell it's slightly bent. I really like these old C-Mons and always have my eye out for a Blackie. I can't wait to have it honed and shave with the old girl. It will not be the razor I learn to hone with.

Beautiful job...

Very nice razor and I love the hammered tangs. Ya done good!

Excellent job!!

Great job! Personally,I really like the simplicity of the scales. IMHO it concentrates the eye on the beautiful blade.

Originally Posted by Churchill

Great job! Personally,I really like the simplicity of the scales. IMHO it concentrates the eye on the beautiful blade.

My thoughts exactly. That blade is beautiful !!! I really like the hand hammered look on the tail.

Great job