I recently picked up this Spanish made 8/8 blade and I was wondering if any of you could tell me more about it? It looks a lot like a Filarmonica to me. I thought maybe they were made for Koken Barber Supply here in the US.
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I recently picked up this Spanish made 8/8 blade and I was wondering if any of you could tell me more about it? It looks a lot like a Filarmonica to me. I thought maybe they were made for Koken Barber Supply here in the US.
Thats a nice looking blade
Nice blade, are the scales plastic?
Nice. I see others are up for sale as well. Perhaps blowing out of Japan?
Japan? Why's that?Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Yes. They're gray, bronze(ish) with a tint of lava red.Quote:
Originally Posted by ferroburak
Because that is the 3rd one I have seen recently. All NOS and in a red plastic sleeve. Sold by sellers who have lots of the razors from Japan to sell as well. Just wondering out loud, I suppose.Quote:
Originally Posted by wyobarbershop
Yes I've seen all three as well. I'm unfamilliar so explain exactly what kind of razors come from these Japanese stockpiles.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Yes - was just going to say, I figured that was the one I'd seen, said to be an early version of the Filarmonica line...that's what I believe the listing mentioned.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I suppose the Japanese stayed with straights in their barbershops a whole lot longer than in the U.S.. Several sellers there are selling piles of Filarmonicas, Henckels, and Japanese-made ones as well as other brands. Cannot figure why the floodgates have opened recently. Any Koken I had seen until these were really old. These look from the 60's or 70's to me?Quote:
Originally Posted by wyobarbershop
I figure it has to be made by Filarmonica.
Off topic but slightly related I suppose. Why is it that almost all of the used japanese razors, or razors sold by japanese sellers, all have significant hone wear on the toe. If it was only a couple here and there I would not think there is something going on, but it seems like every razor they sell that is not NOS is severely honed on the toe. I really want an iwasaki, and all the used ones are so over honed on the toe I can't even consider it. Just a thought, maybe there is nothing to it, just something I've noticed...
The Japanese are some perfectionists, IMO. Prolly trying to get a perfect edge for each shave, I suppose. Then, that 'Japanese stroke' honing will do that! :)
What I wonder about is if a law was passed prohibiting their use in barber shops and thus the razors being sold off?
Why the lots of NOS ones being sold?
Maybe all these prestine blades are made in China and imported to japan.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I'd guess that those "NOS" blades have been honed at least a time or two. Some people mute the point on purpose and some people hone with a rolling stroke that promotes a smile. The old barber manuals instruct seasoned barbers to hone heavy towards the point and I'm sure that technique has carried on for some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by prodigy
I was in japan for a few months when I was in the marines. From what I can recall, japanese culture only likes to keep things around that serve a purpose. They don't really have antique shops like we do here. Once something has served it's purpose they tend to recycle it, from what I heard. However there are always those that can't throw things away, and I think that's what we are seeing now. Several old barbers probably had vast collections sitting in storage somewhere. This could all be wrong, but it kinda makes sense to me. I really wish I was into straight razors when I was there, I would have cleared out every store I found!!
I'd imagine that a company like Koken commissioned a number of different razor makers to make razors for their brand so it could very well have been made by Filarmonica.