Thread: New Filarmonica - Its NOT me!

So, I got one of those beautiful nearly 8/8 Filarmonicas from Ray's Classic Shaving site... and I REALLY want to shave with it... but it has been over my Norton 4000/ 8000 like one gazillion times now and I JUST CANNOT GET IT SHARP!

It is not overhoned... I have checked it in the microscope. It IS pretty sharp.. just not sharp enough to actually shave with. I honed two other razors at the same time, and they both shave immaculately. So, its not my technique... because my Revisor and my Dovo that I honed at the SAME time are just fine...

I had this problem with one other razor of mine... that was ALSO big and heavy like the Filarmonica... no matter what I did, it just never got sharp enough. Finally, after trying for months, I sent it to Lynn, and he got it sharp over 95% of the blade... and I have been shaving with it.

So, what is the deal with heavy razors? What does it take for them to get sharp exactly?

Toadie,
Is your Filly really heavy or just large? I had one from Ross Cutlery a while back and while a beautiful, large razor it really felt too light. The blade was very thin and just didn't have any heft to it. I had trouble getting it sharp enough as well.

I have had plenty of large razors but this was the only one I could not get right.

Tony

It is actually fairly heavy too.... These two heavy razors are the only two I have ever had a problem getting sharp either.

oy.

Try using the X pattern and bringing the razor all the way off the bottom of the stone. Focus your attention on the 1/3 of the razor that is going off the bottom edge of the stone and with your pressure focused on the same area.
Be sure to round the edges of the hone first to prevent any chipping of the blade.

I have just finished honing a 7/8 and a 8/8 with that technique and it works for me.

There have been a few threads discussing the stubborness of the big Filly's. I have one that is sick sharp. Anyway, you might want to check those threads out.

So, I worked and worked it... and found that it shaves pretty damned well at the heel and the toe... but leaves short whiskers in the middle. Upon examination with my microscope, there are apparently 3 or 4 tiny little divets in the cutting edge right up the middle. Oy! This is the way it came in the box!

So, now I am working it on the 4000 trying to remove those dings... slow progress but they are getting smaller.

Doug

I was thinking about buying one of those but if youre getting hassle I probably wont! Cheers for the info

Well, before you decide not to... you should check out other people's posts about them... Lots love them, and honestly it is a GORGEOUS razor.. and feels great in my hand... once I have it shaving sharp it will be useful as well as beautiful!

Max,
Don't let the posts scare you away from the Filly. Yes, they may be harder to hone up just right but they are worth it once done.

Tony

I have one and I love it