Thread: Filarmonica expert needed

Evening all,

Can someone please explain to me the difference between the various Filarmonicas. I've seen Doble Temple, Novodur and Muletta so far, I'm sure there are others. The thing is, apart from the etchings, they all seem to be roughly the same. The other thing I'd like to know is do the numbers 13 and 14 simply signify the width of the razor? The 14s I've seen all seem to be 1" and the 13s 6/8-7/8.

13 and 14 are razor blank size denotations (most likely produced by the Herkenrath forge (Solingen, Germany)), and as far as I'm aware the main difference between the various Filarmónicas are the gold washes and colours of the scales. But then again, I'm not a Filarmónica expert.

The SRP library says they're from Spain, but not sure if the steel is produced there or if that's just that their business was based there.

I would also be keen to learn more about the difference of the models and if all their steel came from the same place, had the same or differing qualities etc.

Here is copy of a great post describing the differences, it was done by @celticcrusader who is a member here:

Filarmonica date & model Info.
I found this piece of Info which I'm sure most Filarmonica owners and future owners will find of interest I know I do.

. First Generation: Jose Monserrat Pou's initial offerings - ~1915 - 1967.


Pre-1950 versions will NOT have "FABRICACION ESPAÑOLA / MADE IN SPAIN" stamped on the rear of the tang



Three main iterations of the "Especial" model (in order; transitional anomalies exist)
Tang shows curved Jose Monserrat Pou with stylized eagle (IMPERIAL brand), tall & vertical "14"
Tang shows IMPERIAL brand, straight Jose Monserrat Pou, short & horizontal "14" with lyre
Tang returns to curved Jose Monserrat Pou & tall/vertical "14", but with "FILARMONICA"
These would also have the 'musical' Especial/Filarmonica gold seal on the blade face
New white box with "Especial Para Barbas Duras" - the original EPBD



The original "Doble Temple"
Tang similar to Especial with curved Jose Monserrat Pou, tall & vertical "14", and "FILARMONICA"
A different gold seal on the face, most notable attribute being the "JMP" initials in the center
Collectors will refer to this as a "JMP signature blade", the initials were later replaced by the lyre
See my earlier image for a pristine example; these are more rare and more highly valued by some
The rest of the gold seal might have been generic; I've found a Carl Friedrich Ern Crown & Shield with the same seal design



The "Medallon Taurino" limited edition, bullfighting series was introduced
They're just Doble Temple 13s with six bullfighting themes on the face
Banderillas, Capote, Estocada, Cogida, Muleta, and Rejoneo
Three total iterations found across three generations of Filarmonica (anyone up to collect all 18?)

The "Sub Cero" was a cryo-treated Doble Temple. Tang stamp conventions apply. It stuck around into the next generations.



2. Second Generation: I call it the "Filarmonica Aesthetic Period" (FAP...fapfapfapfapfap...) - 1967-1979.

The company seems to have decided that pretty makes profit, and thus updated their look.
New scales (a few versions), gold seals, and tang stamps mark this era.
Tang stamps settled into a uniform style with small horizontal number, lyre, JMP, model, and Filarmonica

The Especial blossomed into the more ornate Especial Para Barbas Duras with laser etching and tang grommet.
The Doble Temple continued as the brand's steadfast workhorse, steady as she goes.
Four more models appeared
TRIDUR Especial Para Barbas Duras - Trivalent chromium coating for less corrosion. It's harder to hone until the outer coating is removed. Name is on the face, otherwise identical to the EPBD.
Novodur Para Profesionales - not much known, though the marketing goal is clear. Notable are the embossed scales from the EPBD, third pin in the scales, model on the tang, and gold seal similar to Sub Cero
Especial Para Corte de Pelo - narrow EPBDs made for hair cutting with attachment. "Corte Cabello" on the face.
INOX / INOXIDABLE - stainless steel Doble Temple. I don't like stainless, so not much to say there. Most were 3rd gen and don't bear JMP's name.



3. Third generation: Jose Monserrat Pou passed away sometime in the late '70s - early '80s. His son took over for a brief period, apparently continuing to sell out the old stock of materials. This is a murky period which I avoid. Straight razors were banned from Spanish barbershops in 1985 (Hepatitis & HIV?) and safety/cartridge razors had taken over worldwide, so the diminished demand (along with JMP's absence) had a direct affect on production. Many people have declared success with these razors, but they are considered hit or miss by collectors.


Key identifier is JMP's name having disappeared from the blades altogether
These are the razors you see in black "Sello Oro" boxes
Quality control was on the fritz with blade faces not matching tang stamps and other issues (lots of these on ebay from Japan)



4. Fourth generation: JMP's son died shortly after his father, then the daughter took over. The company closed a few years later in 1990.

Very hard, brittle steel sourced from Pakistan - takes an edge, but falls apart sooner than expected
No tang marks, only perfunctory "FILARMONICA -DOBLE TEMPLE-" etched on the face
Some have Sello Oro packaging or just plastic sleeves
Simply avoid these unless you're a collector



The first gen blades are considered by some to be the highest quality Filarmónica produced. I believe this is partially a matter of nostalgia, because when examining the first two generations historically & practically (on hones and face), there doesn't seem to be a difference between them with regard to steel and grinding. There is no reason that the earliest third gen razors shouldn't perform as well as previous generation blades, but any razor lacking Jose Monserrat Pou's name is a gamble. For those of you who got the good ones, congratulations! But caveat emptor to anyone on the hunt for a new Filarmónica.

I recently bought a Filarmonica 13B (Japanese ebay seller's notation). It's in the black "Sello Oro" box. The gold wash isn't exactly parallel to the spine or blade.

I tried honing it with lapping film, going back to 30 micron and it didn't shave. Then I used Naniwas, starting at 1K. No go. I took it to my more experience friend who tried Shaptons, Escher, Jnat, the works. It still doesn't shave. It took a long time to get the scratch pattern smooth and still the edge of the edge look rough. Very weird. I hope I don't have to ask the seller to take it back and give me a refund. I'm sending it to Glen Mercurio in the morning to see what he can do.

The blade doesn't look warped. Typical very thin grind of Filarmonicas, but it does't feel quite right on the hones.

The Sello de Oro generation are a bit of a hit and miss unfortunately, I own one and it is as good as any other, but it did require tape when honing to get it to shave ready.

I am going to go out on a limb here, but I assume most Sello de Oro are fine but the few duds there are get a lot of press. Especially because everyone has very high (well deserved) expectations for Filarmonica razors

Tried tape, but still didn't work. Maybe Glen can figure it out for me. I hope I don't have dud.

Oh, that does not sound too good.

May be worth just sending it back to the vendor...

That's what I was thinking.

i bought 3 of them in very bad condition,on ebay, so much rost, i clean them up and honed them, i think they are one of the best shaver or i have become better with honing LOL i will post some pics soon