Thread: Advice on next straight razor

Thanks for all the help, guys.

I requested a lower bid on the Filarmonica-14, but the gentleman said the PayPal prices have gone up since pre-Covid times, and it sounded like he was sticking to his overpricing.

I asked him again if he would take a lower bid (far from low-balling), but he never responded back to me...which is fine. His prerogative.

So I contacted Wacker about a new Model 1121 - Wacker Gold straight razor. (I want it slightly modified. Not so much of a round toe).

Waiting on his response now.

Excited.

I'm kinda bummed, as I have always wanted a pristine Fili-14.

But it is what it is. And once I make a choice, I'm pretty solid on it. No regrets.

Thanks again!!

Originally Posted by RaymondMillbrae

Thanks for all the help, guys.

I requested a lower bid on the Filarmonica-14, but the gentleman said the PayPal prices have gone up since pre-Covid times, and it sounded like he was sticking to his overpricing.

I asked him again if he would take a lower bid (far from low-balling), but he never responded back to me...

I'm kinda bummed, as I have always wanted a pristine Fili-14.

But it is what it is. And once I make a choice, I'm pretty solid on it. No regrets.

Thanks again!!

I would not shed a tear over this IMO overpriced Filarmónica. While Filarmónicas from the JMP era shave nice, they still do look to my eyes a bit cheaply made and their scales are unremarkable.

Compared to other razors from that era, there is nothing that would justify current Filarmónica prices and sellers seem to try to cash in on current demand. I would not be surprised in the least if prices were going to drop again once the current fashion is over. So there mey be one waiting for you somewhere down the road…

I do not own the specific Wacker model that you have your eyes on, but I own an “Old Sheffield” and that one definitely looks and feels more substantial and better made than my Filarmónicas, and also holds the edge as well and shaves as well them.
Considering that the new Wacker costs only about 80% * of what the seller is asking for the Filarmónica, the decision is a no-brainer…




B.

* the 19% German VAT that is already included in the list price does not apply to sales outside of the EU.

Not sure of this but it was discussed a while back, all the 14,s were supposed to be made from the same maker, so just look for any brand of 14 and get the same razor with different name. Of course I don’t really know cause that discussion was between people with more knowledge than I,

I’ll offer a different take on the Filarmonica 14.

Almost all fancy vintage pristine/NOS 7/8 razors bring $400-450 (or more, at this writing) regardless of brand. In this respect the Filarmonica 14 is usually priced about the same as its German counterparts like Dorco or Bartmann. They’re not overpriced compared to their contemporaries, except certain models like the EPBD and Especial.

The scales are not cheap. They don’t get cell rot, they don’t warp, and the 14 at least has anti-rotation nubs on the wedge. You may not like the bright colors that were en vogue in Europe for a while.

I’ve never seen one warped, badly ground, or that wouldn’t take an edge. I can’t say that about English and German razors. The Doble Temple has good steel in it, I got about 65 shaves from an edge on one. I got 153 shaves from a Sub Cero, comparable to the 133 that Alfredo Gil got from a hard steel vintage TI.

If you want a cheaper 7/8, try looking for a Herder. I have 3 and all are excellent. You can find them under $200 fairly often.

Boker is now offering 8/8 broadsword straight razors. I’ve seen them priced between $320 and $400 US online.

Nice looking blades. Boker does not seem to be suffering the quality control issues of some of the other big manufacturers.

Having said that, the Koraat and Riga blades look might fine and are in the same price range.

I have 5 Wackers with different grinds and shapes and all shave exceptionally well. You can’t go wrong with those. Revisor is a good option, but they can be with uneven grinds. Same goes for some Wackers too…

Originally Posted by DZEC

Boker does not seem to be suffering the quality control issues of some of the other big manufacturers.

I only have a few current production straight razors from a few different manufacturers. The one that surprised the heck out of me was a current production Boker which was shave ready right out of the box from the factory.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I only have a few current production straight razors from a few different manufacturers. The one that surprised the heck out of me was a current production Boker which was shave ready right out of the box from the factory.

Bob

Mine was no different.

Though I did take it to my favorite finisher, afterwards.

One more, final, push for Swedish steel. My knowledge is limited to what I own, but I know this much: Eskilstuna is/was the center of Swedish cutlery, and two of its manufacturers -- Erik Anton ("EA") Berg and Carl Victor ("C.V.") Heljestrand -- achieved greatness and world-renown. The product lines of both included 7/8 (and larger), hollow-ground blades.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Not sure of this but it was discussed a while back, all the 14,s were supposed to be made from the same maker, so just look for any brand of 14 and get the same razor with different name. Of course I don’t really know cause that discussion was between people with more knowledge than I,

Your right mate. #14 blanks were forged by Herkenrath http://www.hugo-herkenrath.de/en/raz...e=rasiermesser. Incidentally they also forge the blanks that Revisor, Ralf Aust and Wacker use today. The difference is the hand carrying out HT and the grinding.