Found two Carl Monkhouse straights with original boxes at an antique shop today. A little clean-up and time on the stones and they should be good to go.
Monkhouse
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Nice finds!
Nice finds!
Might be the photo, but the top one either has a sketchy oxidation pattern, or a weird reflection. Best to be sure there is no cell rot afoot with these scales.
Really nice.
Looks like they came out of the factory on the same day.
Are Carl Monkhouse razors special? They certainly look great.
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Carl Monkhouse was well known and has a lot of straight razor history - he also made surgical instruments and scissors.
These are probably pre-1937 razors when Carl was making razors in Germany. In '37 he moved to California and established Ace Cutlery for a short time before moving to Ellicottville, NY with other family members. In Ellicottville he set up shop in the Burrell Cutlery Company factory. Carl Monkhouse III recalls that his grandfather manufactured all of the Burrell branded razors from around 1940 into the 1950s. This is corroborated by John Burrell - grandson of Burrell Cutlery founder Harold Burrell. Harold concentrated his efforts on the commercial kitchen knife business.
An interesting aside to this was the fact that Harold Burrell married Adie Case - of the Case knife family.
I find much of the history behind these old straight razors fascinating. It takes a bit of digging, but there's info to be found.
Great history. And I agree, digging into some of the history of these razors is part of the fun of collecting. This company has a pretty comprehensive history, where many of the brands histories seem more vague or even non-existent.
I actually own a Case knife, but I'm not sure where it is at the moment!
I actually own a Case knife, but I'm not sure where it is at the moment!
That scale pattern, commonly called “Cracked Ice” is notorious for cell rot off gassing. The brown/tan parts were likely white or cream colored when new and darkened with off gassing.
The first one looks to have started and the second may be in the early stages as Cell Rot off gassing attacks the edge, the thinnest part of the blade. Cell rot can go deep and will affect the razor’s ability to hold an edge and begin to micro chip after repeated stropping where the edge is flexed.
After honing look straight down on the edge looking for micro-chips, if you see the edge not coming to meeting, (shiny micro reflections) you can joint the edge and remove a bit of the edge until you get to good steel that will hold, second photo, a fully set edge.
I would not store those razors with the rest of your collection and keep an eye on them. If they start to lightly rust again, rusting nickel pins and brass bolster. Pins and brass should not rust. Once the off gassing has started and will eventually eat the razors, and any other razors stored near or with them.
The conditions that exacerbate cell rot off-gassing, stored in a hot/warm location, exposed to sunlight or strong light, in an enclosed, no air movement condition, with slight moisture or dampness, and likely another off gassing razor. The exact conditions of long-term storage in a glass case in an Antique store.
Sadly, they are good looking and shaving razor when in good condition, keep an eye on them.
Yea, that Case family amassed a prolific Knife, razor dynasty through marriage.
The first one looks to have started and the second may be in the early stages as Cell Rot off gassing attacks the edge, the thinnest part of the blade. Cell rot can go deep and will affect the razor’s ability to hold an edge and begin to micro chip after repeated stropping where the edge is flexed.
After honing look straight down on the edge looking for micro-chips, if you see the edge not coming to meeting, (shiny micro reflections) you can joint the edge and remove a bit of the edge until you get to good steel that will hold, second photo, a fully set edge.
I would not store those razors with the rest of your collection and keep an eye on them. If they start to lightly rust again, rusting nickel pins and brass bolster. Pins and brass should not rust. Once the off gassing has started and will eventually eat the razors, and any other razors stored near or with them.
The conditions that exacerbate cell rot off-gassing, stored in a hot/warm location, exposed to sunlight or strong light, in an enclosed, no air movement condition, with slight moisture or dampness, and likely another off gassing razor. The exact conditions of long-term storage in a glass case in an Antique store.
Sadly, they are good looking and shaving razor when in good condition, keep an eye on them.
Yea, that Case family amassed a prolific Knife, razor dynasty through marriage.
