Filarmonica Frenzy

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11-04-2009, 05:55 AM
jseitz76

Filarmonica Frenzy

I'm still fairly new to straight razors, and I'm pretty certain I'm in the early stages of r.a.d. After lurking around and reading some of the positive things about Filarmonica's, I thought I would start looking at ebay and what not. The prices have gotten crazy though! One of the last EPBD's I watched went for close to $400 bones where just a few weeks ago $200-$250 was winning. I wish my 401K saw those kind of gains!

I know its basic supply and demand. I am sure they're also awesome shavers. I guess my question is whether some of you think this is going to be a trend that dies down...or not? :shrug:
11-04-2009, 06:04 AM
avatar1999

I certainly hope it dies down a bit. I would love to have a couple at some point.

I also have a feeling that a good many of these people are collectors buying them, or just people trying to buy low/re-sell higher.
11-04-2009, 06:12 AM
TheBaron

Usually a run like this in most collection circles is caused by some sort of panic, such as a factory going out of business or a particular model going out of production. Pretty much something that gives buyers the idea that they may have a problem getting their hands on an item in the future.

I'm not sure if that is what is happening here but the cost on those blades are out of hand. Hopefully it does not stay like this forever.
11-04-2009, 06:12 AM
zib

I doubt it. It's the same with the Ducks. Membership here has grown by leaps and bounds. We are over 15k members. One person posts how great a razor shaves, Thousands of guys want them. It may die down a little in time, but I seriously doubt it.
If you want a Fily, Your gonna pay 350 bucks on average. IMHO, You can get a Boker, new, or a TI, or a Dovo, It'll shave you every bit as good. Yes, Fily is good, Yes the steel is good, but something has to be said for a good honing. Honestly, I can take a 5 dollar no name razor and get a good shave from it.....
11-04-2009, 06:41 AM
AirColorado

jseitz76 I swear i started an eerily similar thread about 2 months ago! Have patience. Prices for #13s and Barbas Duras were insane then and so I just waited a few weeks. Suddenly I was winning NOS 13s for under $200 and even snagged a NOS Barbas Duras for under $250. This week it's crazy again. Two weeks from now it'll be significantly less expensive. Sometimes I think Mariona and the folks from Spain coordinate their auctions! They don't but it sure feels like it sometimes. Watch for things to settle down again, and then keep an eye out for one of the NOS sellers that has auctions ending mid-week. Filly auctions that end on weekends generate bidding fever. You can even get them directly from those same sellers at times, but once things heat up they cut that off in favor of the higher prices on ebay.
11-04-2009, 09:32 AM
Stubear

I'm not sure about the trend, but what I would do is have in your mind what you are prepared to pay for one.

For me, theres no way I would spend $400 on an auction razor like that (unless it was a custom or something exceptionally rare) when I can buy a brand new top-of-the-line Wacker for $300. Lets face it, for $500 you're into the territory of Mastro Livi customs and other custom makers. I simply cant believe that the Fillys are that good that they are worth those sorts of prices.

I dont have one, but are they really better than all the brand new DOVO's, TI's, Wackers, Bokers etc...? I'm not convinced!

I mean, if you really really really want one then Ok. Sink the cash into one. But I'd have a limit in my mind of what to spend and hope for one that flys under the radar.

As the other posters have said, it gets mentioned here that razor X is particularly good and suddenly they're as rare as rocking horse poop and you have to sell a kidney to get one.

Straight razors are coming back with a vengeance at the moment, and theres going to be a lot of people who've done a bit of research, seen that Fillys are generally viewed as good razors and then throw a small fortune at one because its supposedly THE ONE.

Just keep plugging away at the limit you want to spend and dont get caught up in the hysteria. You'll get one eventually.
11-04-2009, 10:31 AM
persco

Ha ha ha... I've seen one of these threads started every couple of months for the last 1 and a half years. Same thing happened with Le Grelots. Frenzy, then pause, then frenzy. I think it's just that a lot of people aren't sure what to buy so they read up here how great brand x or y is and then go nuts on ebay. I'm lucky I seem to have bought during the pauses...

s.
11-04-2009, 11:45 AM
mainaman

the only 350+ Phillis I have seen on the Bay are the really rare ones, Medalion Tourino mint(Undream here had a great one that sold for 400+ I think), and some others I don't even rememeber the names of.
The #14 Para Barbas Duras I think is in the 250-300 range, and #13 usually go under 200.
Of course there are exceptions too.
11-04-2009, 12:50 PM
gregs656

I don't shave with a razor that cost me more than $15 lol.
11-04-2009, 01:26 PM
Oglethorpe

Not to add fuel to the price inflation fire....

But the Filarmonicas are worth the money. I have wacker, TI, dovo, and about 15 vintage bad boys and the Fillys outshine them all. I didn't pay as much as they're going for now, but I would if I knew they shaved this well prior to buying one. It seems like the skeptics are all the guys who haven't tried one! If you're going to spend $300 for a Wacker, you'll be able to win an EPBD for that money if you're patient (like my man in Colorado says).

If you want a big razor like a 14 that is as (if not aesthetically) solid a performer as the EPBD, check out a Palmera. They can be had for $150 less than the EPBD's on average.

EDIT: Also, @zib -- honing does have a lot to do with it, but I recently got a shave from a Palmera that was not (professionally) honed out of the box that was on par with my EPBD that was honed by Max. It had been sitting in the wrapper for however many years untouched. And to the guys who win Fillys that want to put a mean edge on them (if they're not there already), Max is your man. He treats the things like they were his first born.
11-04-2009, 02:02 PM
loueedacat

I just got a 13 from mariona for $150 and change [and man do I love it]. Be patient. The barbas duras are out of control but you can get the other ones for an ok price.
11-04-2009, 02:38 PM
zib

I don't what auctions you guys are watching. I've been on Ebay. I saw a 13 double temple, Red, go for 400 bucks. I almost sheet myself. I've seen every 14 Barbas Duras go for 315-375, give or take. A cero went well over 300...When you get on here and say, OH, These are the best shavers, ever, I'm throwing out all my other blades. The new guys flock to Ebay with a Vengence, That's how bidding wars start. I Guar damm tee you this, If I'm bidding, I'm gonna have to pay for it, like always. I never, never, never, ever, get a break on Ebay. Someone always comes out of the woodwork and decides he or she wants the exact same thing I want. So, if any of you guys snaggin Fily's want to Snag me one and do a brother a solid, It'd be much a appreciated...

Heck, even Vintage Scent was selling 14 Barbas Duras for 240 euros, that's 350 bucks, plus I'm sure he charged shipping.
So, if you snag one on Ebay for 300, I'd say your doing ok...There's a few on there now, with 2 days to go. None are yet over 200.
All you need is two guys wanting the same razor. Your lucky if you get one to back off at 150 bucks....I wish all potential bidders the best of luck....Happy Hunting!
11-04-2009, 03:15 PM
avatar1999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubear

As the other posters have said, it gets mentioned here that razor X is particularly good and suddenly they're as rare as rocking horse poop and you have to sell a kidney to get one.

I heard that the guys that used to the Filarmonica razors are the guys now working for Zeepk, and the razors are EVEN BETTER than Filarmonicas!!!

Start trading your Fili's in on Zeepk's...you won't regret it! :)

PS - You better hurry tho! I hear they might be going out of business soon!
11-04-2009, 03:22 PM
zib

Quote:

Originally Posted by avatar1999

I heard that the guys that used to the Filarmonica razors are the guys now working for Zeepk, and the razors are EVEN BETTER than Filarmonicas!!!

Start trading your Fili's in on Zeepk's...you won't regret it! :)

PS - You better hurry tho! I hear they might be going out of business soon!

You Go Bouy !
11-04-2009, 03:29 PM
loueedacat

Quote:

Originally Posted by zib

I When you get on here and say, OH, These are the best shavers, ever, I'm throwing out all my other blades. The new guys flock to Ebay with a Vengence, That's how bidding wars start.

Let me clear up a false rumor circulating. These NOS filys are TERRIBLE. Total ripoffs. AWFUL. Don't do it.
11-04-2009, 05:09 PM
zib

Quote:

Originally Posted by loueedacat

Let me clear up a false rumor circulating. These NOS filys are TERRIBLE. Total ripoffs. AWFUL. Don't do it.

I couldn't agree more. One attacked me on my way to the shower this morning.
11-04-2009, 08:09 PM
AirColorado

1 Attachment(s)

Now that you mention it - my red scaled Barbas Duras did inflict a nasty slice on my finger the other day. I was simply changing hands and the darned thing is so heavy and unbalanced that it slipped and damned near sliced off my finger. I'm seriously thinking about offloading the pile of Fillys in favor of, well that would just not be prudent to announce until I have all I want now would it? :-)

But being serious - the Palmeras are sweet! I have a Palmera #14 that I got out of curiosity and I could swear that they are the same blade as the 14 Filly. I honestly can't tell a difference when shaving - FWIW. And they can be had for a song as compared to their Filly counterparts.

On yet another tangent - I'm working with a razor builder at the moment to get a 100% custom (gonna keep the name quiet until I get the blade). We've set an upper limit (that I'll probably forget the moment I see drawings) and I can't wait to get into the designs. I suspect this one should knock my socks off if it turns out to be anything like I'm envisioning. I'll certainly upload pics but it will take a few weeks. So if you're willing to spend the current price for a BD or other production blade, keep in mind that you can also send that same amount to a good custom builder and get one that is 100% unique as well as made to your specs. Spend some more and the drool factor probably goes up accordingly. Just another data point to further confuse you. :-)

And just to make matters worse :-) here's my current stable of Fillys. I included that Palmera (the white one) just because it's essentially the same and I think of it as another Filly. Please excuse the photo but you get the idea. Don't get this many! Bad bad blades! :-)
11-05-2009, 01:04 AM
jseitz76

Thanks for the discussion and input everyone! I don't have many virtues, but patience is one that I did manage to develop--some people indicated what I was thinking, At $400 or more custom makers enter the picture and I think I would go there first if anything and try to get on a list. And, I'll continue to watch for the cycles.
11-05-2009, 02:35 AM
Basset

Quote:

Originally Posted by zib

I doubt it. It's the same with the Ducks. Membership here has grown by leaps and bounds. We are over 15k members. One person posts how great a razor shaves, Thousands of guys want them. It may die down a little in time, but I seriously doubt it.
If you want a Fily, Your gonna pay 350 bucks on average. IMHO, You can get a Boker, new, or a TI, or a Dovo, It'll shave you every bit as good. Yes, Fily is good, Yes the steel is good, but something has to be said for a good honing. Honestly, I can take a 5 dollar no name razor and get a good shave from it.....

Depends what Filly. The #13, which is a hair over 6/8, seems to be going for 2/3 the cost of the #14. Within the past month a NOS 13 went for $86 shipped.
11-05-2009, 02:46 AM
Basset

Quote:

Originally Posted by zib

I don't what auctions you guys are watching. I've been on Ebay. I saw a 13 double temple, Red, go for 400 bucks. I almost sheet myself.Happy Hunting!

Not to encourage undue competition, but I would note that on October 8, a NOS black Filly 13 Doble Temple went for $87 shipped on the Bay. See SRP post here.
11-05-2009, 03:40 AM
zib

Yes, I'm sure some slip under the wire, but I don't think it's the norm. I've seen many go for well over 300.00 this week alone, Now, I'm talking about the 14's, Barbas Duras. There was that one red 13 that went for 400 bucks, and some other's that went for 300. Believe me, I've been watching.

Also Oct 8th was almost 1 month ago. A lot can change in a month. I mean, really, I hope they do come down to under 100 bucks, that would be great.
11-05-2009, 07:17 PM
AirColorado

Seriously gents - these do in fact fluctuate fairly significantly. And let's be clear that I'm talking only about the NOS Fillys from the seller in Argentina and the 2 in Spain only. There are other NOS sellers, but I've dealt primarily with those 3 and have had no problems. In fact, it sometimes appears like they wait for each other to heat up the market and then pile in. Maybe, or it could just be coincidence. I'm sure those 3 sellers could tell you exactly what the cycle looks like. It seems Fillys are all they sell for the most part. I do have to include Leon in this as well - I'm not sure how many he sells on the bay but I think he has some really nice NOS Fillys available, and his prices seem stable.

When I started seriously looking for NOS 13s and Barbas Duras they were just starting another upward price trend. That was this past summer. Then prices got crazy and right away they all dropped about 20-30% for a bit. Lately they're back up, and once they get to really scorching levels I'd bet they drop 30% or more again. Why? Dunno, maybe because we're all out of razor money at that point, or we're turned off by being sniped too many times? Either way they peak, drop, stay low for a while, then rise again.

I'd love to have the time to go into ebay and grab the sales data from those 3 sellers for the last year that shows dates and prices for their NOS 13, 14, and BDs. A line chart with a line for each version broken out by date would sure tell the tale, and give an idea as to when the next drop will come about - all things go in cycles - at least in my twisted futures contracts trading mind :-)

Have patience gentlemen! The prices will come down again and you will get your Fillys. Hell I may offer up one at some point but I'll do it here and it'll be for less than whatever the last similar one went for on fleabay - but no way the BD goes and I want to send one to a friend first.

Which reminds me...

Here's a good point to remember for us all - if someone here helps you out with something, takes the time to teach you something complicated, or is just generally a good friend, it's a very wise and mature move to recognize that effort somehow. Some of us have a ton of blades and can send some nice pieces out as thanks. Others may have extra cash and can "hire" them for some razor work or buy something from them (as opposed to going outside our community here). The younger guys may have neither but can sure send heartfelt messages or try to support those guys in some unique way. It really doesn't matter much what it is, just take the time to recognize some of the really selfless people that we are so fortunate to have amongst us here. Don't get carried away though! If you look hard enough, you'll realize that we are exceptionally fortunate here and have countless gentlemen and ladies that consistently provide us with all manner of things that simply can not be had anyplace else at any price! Just something to think about...
11-06-2009, 11:19 AM
persco

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Which reminds me...

Here's a good point to remember for us all - if someone here helps you out with something, takes the time to teach you something complicated, or is just generally a good friend, it's a very wise and mature move to recognize that effort somehow. Some of us have a ton of blades and can send some nice pieces out as thanks. Others may have extra cash and can "hire" them for some razor work or buy something from them (as opposed to going outside our community here). The younger guys may have neither but can sure send heartfelt messages or try to support those guys in some unique way. It really doesn't matter much what it is, just take the time to recognize some of the really selfless people that we are so fortunate to have amongst us here. Don't get carried away though! If you look hard enough, you'll realize that we are exceptionally fortunate here and have countless gentlemen and ladies that consistently provide us with all manner of things that simply can not be had anyplace else at any price! Just something to think about...

Well said... and very nice!

s.
11-06-2009, 08:19 PM
mojka

Well said indeed
12-08-2009, 09:54 PM
Leon

Hi.
First, I don't sell the razors on eBay.
Second, in my opinion, I believe that the prices will not come down. I'm talking as a former NOS Filarmonica seller that got incredibly lucky in grabbing some razors to sell. These are gone now and it will take another great amount of luck to get some more.
Why the prices will not come down? Because there are fewer and fewer NOS Filarmonicas and it gets harder and harder to find some more.
Supply and demand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Have patience gentlemen! The prices will come down again and you will get your Fillys. Hell I may offer up one at some point but I'll do it here and it'll be for less than whatever the last similar one went for on fleabay - but no way the BD goes and I want to send one to a friend first.
12-09-2009, 02:35 AM
Hawkeye5

There is a price cycle. This is not from me, because I don't follow the prices. This time of the year razor prices pick up. Perhaps Christmas has something to do with the price cycle.
Anyway my source is a well known and respected ebay seller that also resides in Hendersonville. According to Bob, he has seen prices go up the last three years around this time.
12-09-2009, 07:21 AM
SiRed8

Quote:

Originally Posted by zib

I doubt it. It's the same with the Ducks. Membership here has grown by leaps and bounds. We are over 15k members. One person posts how great a razor shaves, Thousands of guys want them. It may die down a little in time, but I seriously doubt it.
If you want a Fily, Your gonna pay 350 bucks on average. IMHO, You can get a Boker, new, or a TI, or a Dovo, It'll shave you every bit as good. Yes, Fily is good, Yes the steel is good, but something has to be said for a good honing. Honestly, I can take a 5 dollar no name razor and get a good shave from it.....

I have thought about that but dismissed in past and since you confirmed it, I'll remember that next time I post a review on unknown great shaver.
12-09-2009, 10:57 AM
Stropper

I don't believe the prices on the Fillies will be dropping much, because we will run out of the NOS Fillies before they do. Just like TI's once a straight razor shaver gets their hands on one of them they keep them. I agree with all the good things said about the Palmeras (shouldn't say this as I'm still after a white scaled #14) the shave is very similar to the Filarmonica. Oh and don't bid on the Fillie auctions ending on the weekends those are the ones going for the wild money.