Fili purchase advice

Well as I've gotten deeper into straights, a nice Fili is missing. I've admired these razors for years, well before I even thought about using a straight razor. There is just something about them. There are so many models that I had to do a little research to find out which model is best for me. I prefer around 6/8 so a 13 sounds about right.

During my research I've come across a brief history and found that not all Filis are good, or at least some are better. Some warn about the latest razors and how they come from Japan. Well as I've scoured the Bay I've seen a fair number shipping from Japan. I've always read these warnings in posts in a non- related thread. Never a flat out "this is what to look for".

So.... what do I look for if I want a good Fili? What are some of the indentifying marks or traits of the more desireable periods?

Thank you in advance for any help/advice.

Anything with Jose Monserrat Pou stamped on the tang should do just fine. There's a thread in Razors I believe that has all of the history of that maker and those that ought to be avoided (for the most part, those without JMP on tang).

So full name not just "JMP"?

azgabe, taking your time with the hunt will serve you well. Speedster gave you some good advice and you will probably get more from our members. I wish you all the best in your search and there are still some beautiful Fili's in the wild.

Jose Monserrat Pou established the Filarmónica company in Mataró, in the Province of Barcelona, Spain in 1915. It manufactured barber products, specializing in straight razors until its eventual closure in the early 1990’s. Two remarkable distinguishing factors about Filarmónica straight razors are that, as a Spanish shaving product, these vintage razors have stood the test of time against German and Swedish contemporaries. Razors manufactured during Jose Monserrat Pou’s lifetime are famous for holding their edge. Patriarch and founder of the company, Pou, managed Filarmónica for 64 years. That is longer than many famous straight razor craftsmen were able to live, let alone advance their brands.

“Filly’s” are fairly easy to date, due to the various limited-edition series names, and aesthetic eras that the products went through over the decades. The most popular (and considered a good find) is the “Doble” in all its various iterations. For example, the limited edition “Bull fighting” series “Medallon Taurino” from the sixties (sporting 6 different bull-fighting themes on the faces) are widely accepted to follow the much-loved Doble Temple ‘13 design (only really differing in name.)

Collectors tend to view Filarmónica razors in three “generations”. The first, and most prolific being from 1915 – 1967. Pou was very much hands-on during this time period, and these razors are considered Filarmónicas finest. It was towards the end of this era that Filarmonica released the “sub-cero”; a Doble Temple with a cryo-tempered blade. Cryo-tempering had only recently been perfected industrially, and these blades made it into the “second generation” (1967 – 1977). The second era is distinguished by ostentatious names, stamps and scales, referred to as the “prettiest” generation, the blades from that time are also considered very good. Although no longer bearing the “Jose Monserrat Pou” stamp on the tang, second generation razors were forged of premium steel. It is the last generation, after Jose’s death in 1979, that Filarmónica razor quality became questionable. In the third generation, until the company’s closure, steel was sourced elsewhere, and the blades are not of the same caliber as their predecessors.

I have had a few, all of them first and second generation, and one of the very last of the third generation. There are a couple of threads here about Pou and his varying marks. There were a few marks he used before Filarmonica. They are Imperial, Josmon, JMP and Jose Monseratt Pou, that I am aware of. All of the earlier models are top shelf. The third gen is not so much. An early model with the classic lyre in silver inlaid in the scales is about as top of the line as you will find. Oddly enough the pre Filarmonica stuff is harder to find but does not seem to sell for as much money. There are a few other Spanish brands that are also very nice that should not be overlooked either, but they tend to be harder to find and some are more money than the Filis.

I have read on Spanish shaving sites that the Filarmonicas marked "Made in Spain" (literally, those words in English) are the newest and of varying quality, whereas the older ones without that mark are consistently good.

I have an older 14 which is really astonishingly good. Almost foil-thin and yet it keeps an edge very well. Hard, but so thin that it's very quick to home.

My only advice on Filarmonica is older is better, the one's that were made towards the end of their production had lots of QC issues and I was never a fan of the INOX branded ones.

Thank you gentlemen for the tips and advice

I have a "doble" 13 probably from the newer generation. "Made in Spain" in English, no name stamp, weak decoration on blade, but it seems to hold a good edge and shaves very well. Maybe I'm just lucky (it would be very unusual).

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Originally Posted by azgabe

So full name not just "JMP"?

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We us JMP as abbreviation for Jose Monsserat Pou
On the tang of a Filarmonica razor made during his years you'll see the full name stamped under "Filarmonica"

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Originally Posted by Jlander

I have a "doble" 13 probably from the newer generation. "Made in Spain" in English, no name stamp, weak decoration on blade, but it seems to hold a good edge and shaves very well. Maybe I'm just lucky (it would be very unusual).

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If it works for you, it's one of the good ones!

Seriously, I don't think I've seen anyone say that the later ones are all bad or mostly bad, just that there were QC issues with the later ones and bad ones slipped through. Since you're already shaving with it, you already know more than the QC department at any big razor maker! You know if it holds an edge, if the spine's true, if it's pinned right, if it's ground right -- and you don't have those issues, so I think pretty clearly yours is one of the good ones.

Not a lot of ways to hide quality issues in a straight razor. Not like a car that develops transmission problems at 50,000 miles.

Actually I guess cell rot is a long-term quality issue.

I knew none of this before I purchased my first or 2nd or 3rd Filarmonica. Wow! I guess I got lucky because my two #12s are as described above, however, my #13 is clearly a newer Filarmonica with "Made in Spain". It is out being honed so I'm not sure how it shaves. Additionally, I came across a NOS IBERIA 12 that is one of the superior razors in my collection, a lesser known Spanish razor manufacturer who knew what he was doing. I mention this because it seems to me that the sellers are completely unaware of this information; it shows in the pricing of their razors. It really means the buyer must be smarter than the seller and this information will help us all in that regard. Thank you.

I ended up going with this Fili from a felloew member here. I was very pleased with the shave. Any ideas as to what generation it is? From what I gather, if it says JMP it is 1st gen? This particular razor says Made in Spain on the other side.

Attachment 274359

I dunno, but it's a nice razor.

Everyone seems enamored with the 14's, but I like the larger-sized 13's myself.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I dunno, but it's a nice razor.

Everyone seems enamored with the 14's, but I like the larger-sized 13's myself.

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I agree. With that love, the 14's demand a nice price as well. I personally like the 13 size. It measures approx 13/16 which is a great size in my opinion. A 14 I assume would be closer to 7/8+ or even 15/16. This is too large in my opinion. Or at least thats what I keep telling myself to keep my SRAD under control. :D