Thread: What is the best American made straight ever made ?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Hard to beat razors made in Little Valley area, including Ellicottville and Geneva! Great steel! Great stuff from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania too!

My hands-down favorite American straight-razor manufacturer is Carl Monkhouse, who created the eponymous (beautiful and functional, too) C-MON line. Admittedly, his business began in Germany, where many of his razors were produced, but he later relocated his family and factory to the US, and opened Cutlery Associates, where he continued his life's work.

In the photos, below, the first ("Blackie") and third ("HF") were made in Ellicottville, NY, and the fifth ("Wedge") was made in Allegany, NY; the second ("Special") and fourth ("Blue Star") were made in Germany.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

My hands-down favorite American straight-razor manufacturer is Carl Monkhouse, who created the eponymous (beautiful and functional, too) C-MON line. Admittedly, his business began in Germany, where many of his razors were produced, but he later relocated his family and factory to the US, and opened Cutlery Associates, where he continued his life's work.

In the photos, below, the first ("Blackie") and third ("HF") were made in Ellicottville, NY, and the fifth ("Wedge") was made in Allegany, NY; the second ("Special") and fourth ("Blue Star") were made in Germany.

Interesting. Where did you find the info on the mfg locations for the Blackie, HF and Special?

Carl worked in the razor trade in Germany before moving to New York. His name on his early work was American made from Ellicottville. He then moved to Allegheny. He later sold his CMon name to Peter J Michaels, who imported razors from Germany with the fancy scales. Interestingly, Carl's Ellicottville Blackies came in rather plain scales and were labeled Blackie CMon. PJM razors were labeled CMon Blackie! Your Blackie must have much later PJM scales on it if it says Ellicottville on the tang. Also, I thought the HF was also a German made item (Mine is) As far as I know all PJM Cmons were German made with exception of the CMon Fillys, which were French. I feel that all of your CMons with exception of the wedge will yeild Germany on the reverse tang. The scales on the wedge are different, with 3 pins and the color. It might be German as well! All Very Nice!

Huh, I never knew some C-Mons were American Made. Learn something new every day...

Never thought much about American blades until until I sent a Torry to Glenn at Gemstar and he made me the tequila sunrise, which was posted here and not only does it look good, but it shaves very, very well. I would put it up against anything. I have two others which also shave well, but I don't know the name of this razor. It has a different profile and just shaves very well better than the other two IMH0

I know it's hardly a top class razor (though it is to me), but I really like my Burrell Top Flight.
It keeps a great edge, it's stupidly sharp, has a wicked spike that makes me feel dangerous, cool wings logo, makes a really nice 'buttering toast' sound as it shaves, has a blued tang that makes lining up the heel with the edge of my goatee a breeze and has serviceable, attractive scales. What's not to like?

Burrell's are from Ellicottville. I have one like yours and a wedge. Excellent shavers. Burrell married one of the Case girls, Only a 2 year production before WW2. As is Carl Monkhouse USA work at the time, excellent blades, cheap scales! It is my understanding that John Burrell's grandson is the last Case family member still in the cutlery business making custom knives in partnership with New York American Indians.

Now a question,did burrell make blades for the Military? razor was trashed and tossed but still have the box.
Razor was packed 1955,looks like a mil spec, ordanance box I think,as i recall the markings on the tang was a set of wings and the burrell name,have always wondered about the companys military ties if any.

Definitely a Mil-Spec box!! It would be neat to have the razor and box!

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Now a question,did burrell make blades for the Military? razor was trashed and tossed but still have the box.
Razor was packed 1955,looks like a mil spec, ordanance box I think,as i recall the markings on the tang was a set of wings and the burrell name,have always wondered about the companys military ties if any.

That is interesting! As I understood, the company was 1946-47. Obviously they did military contract, possibly after? What purpose for a straight in 1955? Seems all would be DE's in that era.