Thread: Filarmonica Fakes

Originally Posted by tonybee

Do not give up yet.
I did a DT 14 a couple of days ago that didn't want to keep an edge. De edge seemed to crumble at low and hi grit honing on synthetics. Only very careful honing on naturals (jnats) gave an edge which was good enough. It was a Filarmonica without the JMP stamp on the tang.

Interesting. Ok well i only have a norton 4/8K and 12K Naniwa all synthetic. I then finish on CrOx.

I had 2 of the sello oro filarmonicas and both were great shavers, exceptionally easy to hone. I believe it is luck of the draw when it comes to these later editions. Glen (gssixgun) honed one last year or so for a member and couldn't get an edge on this particular razor, if he cant no one can.

You had mentioned it being expensive. I know how it is to be adamant about honing your own, but since you've invested as much as you have in $ and in time, sending it out to the pro honer of your choice wouldn't be that much more in comparison, and would at least let you know if it is you, or if it is just a lemon. IMHO.

Thanks everyone who responded. Jimmy honestly it was a year ago and i have come to the point where I actually hate this razor. I'm not going to spend anymore time or money on it. I have much better razors in my collection. When i said it was bad i don't mean just mediocre i mean it's bad. I can now imagine this it what a cheap ebay razor from Pakistan or India would perform like. At least I learned something. Raises another question though - i know there is quality steel and cheap steel but what about metal makes it quality? Is it the fabrication of the razor or the actual metal that determines a good Vs average razor? Does cheap steel contain some type of impurities or something that means it won't get sharp? I was never good at chemistry and have no idea scientifically what would determine this. Would be interesting to know...

I would have it professionally honed. If you had it honed and it turned out to be a good shaver, you could sell it without worrying you were passing along a defective razor. You might as well recoup some of your money.

I have seen more than a few Filis from Japanese sellers that are advertised as JMP but are actually later production as well. Pics are the key to some of these, and if there isn't a clear shot of both sides of the tang, avoid, and if I don't see the JMP stamp I also avoid. I am unsure if it is so much false advertising as much as it may be the sellers really don't know the difference. A few of them have lots for sale simultaneously....perhaps that implies they purchased or found boxes/unused retail packaging in barbers supply stores in Japan.

Either way, for me....with a Fili (I have 3 now), if its not a 1st or 2nd gen JMP, I won't take the risk of buying it. They generally aren't cheap so I won't take the risk.

“1. Could an edge deteriorate this quickly?”

Yes, especially if you are bevel setting on a 4k, not saying it can’t be done, but the bevel has to be completely set.

Yesterday, coaching a new honer with a problem razor, we spent a couple hours getting a chip free edge on a vintage razor. Sometimes it takes what it takes.

I’d bet a doughnut, the bevel is not FULLY set.

If a bevel is not fully set, it can be made to shave, though not the best shave then crumbles. It is actually pretty common an often blamed on other thing like stropping.

Filly’s do vary, some razors just prefer certain stones and methods as well.

It may be just me but in my mind it would not be an easy or low cost feat to make a fake "whatever" so close to the original and to sell for only a few hundred tops...well I just can't see it.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I’d bet a doughnut, the bevel is not FULLY set.

If a bevel is not fully set, it can be made to shave, though not the best shave….

Exactly my experience too!