Thread: Noob wondering about new buy Filarmonica

I purchased my first straight razor today. Ive been using double edge safety razors for a few years now and may be ready to move on. It was advertised as NOS and only shows minor scratches where someone tried to clean it at some point. The area spine and top are not scratched at all so it may be NOS. I'm thinking of selling this one and buying a new/modern razor to start with. Would doing this make sense or am I crazy. A tiny amount of research shows this filarmonica 12 may be worth a little but I honestly have no idea of what I should value it if I do decide to sell it.
Oh, I'll look for an intro thread and introduce myself since I just jumped in head first here.
Comments??

After much reading last night and much more to go I believe this one will be a keeper. Next payday I'll look at either sending it off to be honed or maybe investing in an affordable new razor(from SRD) and strop to start with. If there is anything else I may need to start making the transition from DE to straight razors feel free to chime in. Thanks for the comments and a site with so much to offer.

Welcome to SRP. A NOS filarmonica is on my wish list for when I have the cash. If you are serious about straight razor shaving then the answer, to me, would be an obvious one! Keep it!

We do not allow marketing, solicitations, advertising, valuations....

It seems to me you have to stop for a second and think - do you want to shave with a straight razor? I suppose that buying this one may have been an impulse buy, but it's never too late to ask yourself the real question.

If you do want to shave with a straight razor, the one that you have seems like a good one - it doesn't show any signs of abuse, and it is high quality brand, so after it is properly honed it should be a great choice. You would also need a strop, which you will use between every shave. One with both leather and canvas components is better in the long term than just leather.

If you decide you don't want that razor it shouldn't be too hard to find a buyer - if you don't know how to value it you can put it on ebay with an opening bid of 1 cent and let the market determine its worth.

But if you want to try straight razor shaving do spend some time on this site and your chances of success will increase dramatically

For a first straight razor, you couldn't have started that much higher.

I wouldn't sell it, but put it aside for a few months and start with a cheap, restored vintage. If you start with your expensive filly, and end up hitting it on the tap, dropping it while stropping, rolling the edge, or any other common beginner mistakes, it'll hurt a lot more than if you damaged a cheap razor.

Also, what's the width/ grind on the #12?

Originally Posted by gugi

We do not allow marketing, solicitations, advertising, valuations....

It seems to me you have to stop for a second and think - do you want to shave with a straight razor? I suppose that buying this one may have been an impulse buy, but it's never too late to ask yourself the real question.

If you do want to shave with a straight razor, the one that you have seems like a good one - it doesn't show any signs of abuse, and it is high quality brand, so after it is properly honed it should be a great choice. You would also need a strop, which you will use between every shave. One with both leather and canvas components is better in the long term than just leather.

If you decide you don't want that razor it shouldn't be too hard to find a buyer - if you don't know how to value it you can put it on ebay with an opening bid of 1 cent and let the market determine its worth.

But if you want to try straight razor shaving do spend some time on this site and your chances of success will increase dramatically

Gugi gives good advise. Do your homework and shave with the thing.