Thread: The Filarmonica

Originally Posted by Cros

Hi guys, maybe the answer to my question in buried somewhere in this thread, just couldn't find it. Anyways, I want to buy a Filarmonica and noticed a significant price difference between razors with Jose Monserrat stamp and ones without it. Is there a real quality issue that any of you has experience or has heard of or simply an added value in the eye of a true Fili collector?
Thanks!

The ones marked with his name was produced while he was still alive and involved in the company.
The name was removed after his death, but the Filarmonica razors where produced a fair bit after that.

In my experience all are really good, but there have been some reports on issues with the newer ones.
Out of the few dozens I have of the Filarmonica brand, not a single one has delivered anything less than stellar shaves though.
Collectors out there might view this differently

Originally Posted by razorguy

If you refer to the stamp on the blade (not the one put on the shank, which is always present) the one usually in gold, yes it makes a difference.
As far as I know, the early production of José Monserrat Pou had no stamp in the blade, therefore the blade was just "clean and shiny". Gold plating in the blade was used in later times.
As far as I am concerned, quality is basically the very same - I do own both DT with a stamp and with no stamp - and they are however of very good quality.
As for price, you may be right as the ones with no stamp may cost lesser than the other ones having a golden stamp.
However you should be very careful: it could also be the case it is a restored razor and the polishing of the blade may have removed the stamp. To tell whether it is an early production or not, you should pay attention on the shank: early production "mark" is different from "late production".

Thanks for the info. I actually meant stamp on the shank. I basically see 3 options ranking from expensive to cheaper.
#1 shank marked Filarmonica Novodur Jose Monserrat Pau
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (engraved)
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (printed)

so, are there any quality differences between those?

Originally Posted by Cros

Thanks for the info. I actually meant stamp on the shank. I basically see 3 options ranking from expensive to cheaper.
#1 shank marked Filarmonica Novodur Jose Monserrat Pau
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (engraved)
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (printed)

so, are there any quality differences between those?

get either of the first two.
Both are from the right era, and will provide stellar shaves.
They will also hone up as easy as a razor possibly could, given they are in good condition.
Out of the two, I would go with the Novodur.
Alongside the Especial Para Barbas Duras and the Sub Cero, they are my favorite Filarmonica's

The third one will shave well to, but honing it could prove a bit trickier.
Not all of them, but some reports indicate a diff in that area.

Originally Posted by Cros

Thanks for the info. I actually meant stamp on the shank. I basically see 3 options ranking from expensive to cheaper.
#1 shank marked Filarmonica Novodur Jose Monserrat Pau
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (engraved)
# 2 shank marked Filarmonica Double Temple (printed)

so, are there any quality differences between those?

Novodur is a particular model of Filarmonica and refers to the technique used for tempering the steel. As far as I know, all the Filarmonica razors have the "famous" José Monserrat Pou mark engraved in the shank. I am not sure with late production, tough.

Does anyone here actually own/use later production Filarmonica?

Originally Posted by Cros

Does anyone here actually own/use later production Filarmonica?

Well, yeah.
I have several of them, and they all shave great.
Some could prove a tad more tricky on the hones, as I indicated earlier, but once there, no worries at all.
Stellar shavers.

Originally Posted by Birnando

get either of the first two.
Both are from the right era, and will provide stellar shaves.
They will also hone up as easy as a razor possibly could, given they are in good condition.
Out of the two, I would go with the Novodur.
Alongside the Especial Para Barbas Duras and the Sub Cero, they are my favorite Filarmonica's

The third one will shave well to, but honing it could prove a bit trickier.
Not all of them, but some reports indicate a diff in that area.

Ah, thanks for the advice. Last two are NOS, even the box has no wear on it. Novodur has some stains and costs twice as much as the second option. I guess I will go with option #2 without worrying much about the Jose Monserrat stamp))

Originally Posted by razorguy

If you refer to the stamp on the blade (not the one put on the shank, which is always present) the one usually in gold, yes it makes a difference.
As far as I know, the early production of José Monserrat Pou had no stamp in the blade, therefore the blade was just "clean and shiny". Gold plating in the blade was used in later times.
As far as I am concerned, quality is basically the very same - I do own both DT with a stamp and with no stamp - and they are however of very good quality.
As for price, you may be right as the ones with no stamp may cost lesser than the other ones having a golden stamp.
However you should be very careful: it could also be the case it is a restored razor and the polishing of the blade may have removed the stamp. To tell whether it is an early production or not, you should pay attention on the shank: early production "mark" is different from "late production".

Hi Razorguy,

Very interesting information. I've currently in possession of two filly's, both fantastic razors. I've got a red one with a plain blade, pictures below. I've also got a white scaled one with gold plating on the blade (I'll post pics later)
How do you tell if it's early or late production?





Here's her in action:

Originally Posted by jodypress

Hi Razorguy,

Very interesting information. I've currently in possession of two filly's, both fantastic razors. I've got a red one with a plain blade and here's pics of the tang. I've also got a white scaled one with gold plating on the blade (I'll post pics later)
How do you tell if it's early or late production?

The lyre in the shank is also another clue. In early Filarmonicas the lyre was not present. Another clue to tell the period of production is also the box. They changed over time quite a lot, from cardboard to a combination of open cardboard with a polyethylene cover.

To all fili experts - is this normal???