Thread: 3/8 Filarmonica Insight

Just would like to hear from anyone with any experience with Filarmonica razors. What is their reputation and quality? Are they a worthwhile razor to seek out?

Thanks guy's

filarmonicas are beautiful razors with a good reputation as being great razors. they can be pricey for one in good condition. the most common might be the doble temple. classicshaving sells a 7/8 that is not the old doble temple and i've heard ppl have problems honing it initially but once it's sharp it's easy to maintain, they also have the 3/8 and i haven't heard anything at all about that one but it is only $40

long story short, you can't go wrong with a filly

That's good to hear as I did purchase a 3/8 Filly from CS and I wanted to know if I it was a good deal because, as you have hit the nail on the head... I am having a bugger of a time honing this razor. It seems that when laying flat on a true and straight stone, the heal and toe seem to not be contacting the stone. As I hone it, you can clearly see the water being shaved off the stone through the center portion of the blade. I think this one is out of my league and I will need to turn to Lynn's skills to make this one work.

Thanks again for reinforcing my feelings about this razor! All in all, it seems to be a very good quality item if I can only get it to shaving condition.

I have the 7/8s and find it to be a great shaver. As I recall it took a tad longer to get shave ready than most others but nothing inordinate. I heartily recommend them.

if you use the X pattern while honing you should be able to avoid the issues with the blade not making full contact. many experienced honers prefer the X pattern because of this

I got the 7/8 from CS, and liked it so much I got the 3/8 to boot ... just $40 for a Filly, why not?? Mind, I got Lynn to hone both. I use the 7/8 more; the 3/8 is more of a novelty until my technique improves ... but great razor(s).

Originally Posted by edk442

if you use the X pattern while honing you should be able to avoid the issues with the blade not making full contact. many experienced honers prefer the X pattern because of this

I prefer the Rolling Hone method of rolling the edge's contact with the hone from heel to tip throughout the honing stroke myself. I believe this is what the X pattern strives to emulate.

X

i use the rolling motion when honing my smiling razors, never tried with a straight edge.

Originally Posted by edk442

if you use the X pattern while honing you should be able to avoid the issues with the blade not making full contact. many experienced honers prefer the X pattern because of this

As suggested, I did the X pattern while honing. Worked it through the pyramids, stropped it on the linen and leather and YES! A major improvement and a new skill learned. Well, almost learned, I'm sure I will have more yet to figure out but damn! I like this!

Thanks Eric

Originally Posted by edk442

i use the rolling motion when honing my smiling razors, never tried with a straight edge.

It's more a subtle change in pressure than an actual blade motion with the flat edges.

X