Thread: Evidence of Filarmonica Manufactured in Solingen?????

Originally Posted by Magpie

Great info Jimmy. Thanks!

The box from my Wonderedge says "electrohardened" and I also recall reading some where that they also received a freeze treatment.
My guess would be a form of induction heating.

Robeson also advertised a "Frozen Heat" IIRC. Both in their pocket knives, and in their razors. Not all of them, but some of the models. Here is an old thread on the topic with some links for further reference ........... http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ozen-heat.html

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here is a blurb from the Wikipedia (not ours) on this ;

Thiers Issard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The original source for this is the marketing materials of the (exclusive at the time) distributor of TI. Some of it is true, but there is a very heavy slant towards drumming up sales. Unfortunately the page maintainer is not interested in removing the sales spin and using unbiased sources or at least sources without conflict of interest - when I asked him he made that clear even when I pointed out that the vendor has switched their claims 180 degrees with changes in inventory, always aligning their 'helpful information' to drive their sales.

Lead bath was used in the Sheffield factories for decades before TI existed with all of the dire consequences for the workers. Obviously nowadays fine razors can be manufactured without using the molten lead as medium, and I personally consider it not a point of pride but rather one of backwardness.
It's quite likely that the lead vapors are much better contained than they were 100 years ago and they don't maim and kill and their workers at the same rates as in the days of old, but having to get a special exemption from the health regulations is not a good sign, particularly when their competitors don't and still manage to produce great razors and at lower cost.

Originally Posted by gugi

It's quite likely that the lead vapors are much better contained than they were 100 years ago and they don't maim and kill and their workers at the same rates as in the days of old,

In the days of old, when knife and razor grinders didn't have exhaust fans, respirators, and suffered an early death as a result, people simply didn't realize the consequences of an unprotected work environment. In the 1950-60s asbestos workers were exposed to carcinogens to the maximum, to the extent that their wives were dieing too, from asbestos exposure in washing the work clothes. At the same time the companies, though they had become aware of the danger denied the effects for fear of being shut down at worst, or reducing the profit margin at best. Tough world.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In the days of old, when knife and razor grinders didn't have exhaust fans, respirators, and suffered an early death as a result, people simply didn't realize the consequences of an unprotected work environment. In the 1950-60s asbestos workers were exposed to carcinogens to the maximum, to the extent that their wives were dieing too, from asbestos exposure in washing the work clothes. At the same time the companies, though they had become aware of the danger denied the effects for fear of being shut down at worst, or reducing the profit margin at best. Tough world.

This is a good example of why I support my Union.

The lead acid batteries I use at work are made in Vietnam...

Watch for "The Poisoner's Handbook" on Public Television.
A very well written review is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/ar...ence.html?_r=0
It was about the beginning of scientific crime research and the beginning of enforced workplace and home safety!
Enjoy when it is available:
Watch it here almost two hours:
Video: The Poisoner's Handbook | Watch American Experience Online | PBS Video

~Richard

I agree with Jamie & also UKRob. That's my story & I'm sticking' to it!
As for the boxes.................a box is a box, no telling where they came from or even if the scales originally came in them!

I don't think Filarmonica razors were made in Solingen. I don't know why the scales were in Germany but that would go against what Jose Montserrat set out to do which was make a cheap, utilitarian razor that shave great, made in Spain and was affordable. Also all the ones I've seen are stamped Made in Spain. Didn't Filarmonica have some strange tie in after Jose died? I've seen Peter J Michaels Filarmonica's and I've seen Filarmonica's branded as Petrol Hahn. Perhaps someone had some plans to set up Solingen Filarmonica's?

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I don't think Filarmonica razors were made in Solingen. I don't know why the scales were in Germany but that would go against what Jose Montserrat set out to do which was make a cheap, utilitarian razor that shave great, made in Spain and was affordable. Also all the ones I've seen are stamped Made in Spain. Didn't Filarmonica have some strange tie in after Jose died? I've seen Peter J Michaels Filarmonica's and I've seen Filarmonica's branded as Petrol Hahn. Perhaps someone had some plans to set up Solingen Filarmonica's?

I have seen those too. You may have a point there!

The fact is that as long as the man lived they wore his name on the tang and the country of origin...and the quality was up there...after he died with the sello oro boxes...and cost reductions on scales and embelishments it would fit right in for the airs to want to find a cheaper way to make the blades or the entire razors...we've all seen the double temple sub ceros and oter variations that ebay is full of them...maybe someone wanted to keep making profit of the brand after it was extinct or maybe they just couldn't manage making the blades anymore and turned to Solingen for help...both JMP filis and post JMP filis are sweet shavers but there is a diffrence in the way the steel shaves and hones...surely ther is something we are missing...and with so many people interested in finding out...we will solve the mistery eventualy...
No sense in arguing over the subject...we need facts and the facts show that there are a lot of clues linking Filarmonica and Solingen...maybe some were made in Solingen but i doubt that the ones stamped JMP were made there...
It's amusing that you can find facts about much older brands and not so famous ones then the Filarmonica and this one is missing links...

Also...I doubt a proud german would ever make/grind and/or assemble a razor with someone else's name on it...with no recognition for his work...and skill...for someone else to collect the cash and glory...
for one of the best brands of razors ever made...that would be hard not to collect...I mean why would you do that...?
This is what i belive...
There are rumors that after his death (JMP) the factory still produced the blades from left over stock blanks...but after they finished the stock they did not manage to work with the old steel...something was missing the old man did not get a chance to pass down...so they looked desperatly for a solution...The brand was worth a fortune and they could not afford to loose it...probably after several failed atempts of trying to continue the legacy they gived up and closed shop...This makes sence and all the pieces would fit into the story....the grinders from solingen statements of grinding filarmonica blades made there....the scales found...the diffrence in the way steel of JMP and post JMP filis hone and feel shaving....Eventualy if they did manage to land a deal at Solingen and make the razors there or the blades....there would have already lost the uniqueness of the Filarmonica shave and feel.....In conclusion I belive that a Filarmonica is not the best example of Solingen quality and craftsmanship....
The story ends when they sold the factory and invested in the public transport sistem.
And that's the story I belive up until now...it is not definitive and subjected to change as more data is unvaled...Just beliving this makes me go to sleep in peace at night.
Peace