Thread: Advice on next straight razor

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

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.

I’ve heard this before and there is evidence to support this argument, including razors in my own collection.

But the Spanish did not participate - much - in WW2, so where did Filarmonica get razor blanks from 1939 until Solingen re-built? Not from Herkenrath but maybe I’m wrong? That’s about a ten year period.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

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.

Thanks for digging out the source of this information.

To me, it also explains why an earlier “so just look for any brand of 14 and get the same razor with different name.” statement is fundamentally flawed, since - as you already stated - heat treatment and grinding by the razor’s maker make a difference - and are to me as important as the forge that produced the blank.

If it weren’t, things would be sooo easy: just get a razor where the blank is made by Herkenrath and be happy.
We all know that finding a great razor is not quite as simple, don’t we?


B

Originally Posted by Steve56

But the Spanish did not participate - much - in WW2, so where did Filarmonica get razor blanks from 1939 until Solingen re-built? Not from Herkenrath but maybe I’m wrong? That’s about a ten year period.

Spain made domestic versions of ME109 and HE111 aircraft when they could not get them from Germany because of WWII. There are some fine Spanish knife manufacturers, so could it be possible that they supplied the blanks in the interim?

Bob

The best I have seen as far as finish goes is the Palmera 14 8/8 bellied hollow.
There are many different 14 razors out there, but definitely not all the same.
Recently saw a Henckels 14 in stainless steel for sale locally, so it is a mystery.
If you can find a good Japanese razor in your price range, that is what I would recommend. Usually a little under 7/8, but hard to beat as far as finish and quality of steel goes.
The filli you linked to is over priced.

Originally Posted by beluga

Thanks for digging out the source of this information.

To me, it also explains why an earlier “so just look for any brand of 14 and get the same razor with different name.” statement is fundamentally flawed, since - as you already stated - heat treatment and grinding by the razor’s maker make a difference - and are to me as important as the forge that produced the blank.

If it weren’t, things would be sooo easy: just get a razor where the blank is made by Herkenrath and be happy.
We all know that finding a great razor is not quite as simple, don’t we?


B

It still is the same, cause same man heat treating could f up too, the supposedly great blade smiths of the time didn’t make inferior grinds and finish right? Not right so a 14 is a 14 . Every damn razor made is just as good as the mood of the blade Smith that day

I would say never buy a Filarmonica without requesting a tap n wobble test.. Concerning a new razor, I would want the bevel inspected for consistency..
If I had this advise previously and would have followed it... That would have been good

Interesting responses.

I am actually writing down a few manufacturer names from different countries.

In the future, I might want other straight razors...maybe.

And I thought it would be nice to have them all from different countries.

I will next go for a Fili...if possible (Spain).

Then a Swedish, Japanese, or French one.

That should leave me with 8 really nice straight razors, which is 4 per restroom sink. (Master restroom, and office restroom).

I'll probably start selling-off my other ones, as I do not want to be a hoarder and have them start gathering dust in my drawers.

I'm pretty excited about this newest Wacker acquisition. They said it will take a little longer, as it is a custom straight razor.

Not a problem with me.

Originally Posted by RaymondMillbrae

Interesting responses.

I am actually writing down a few manufacturer names from different countries.

In the future, I might want other straight razors...maybe.

And I thought it would be nice to have them all from different countries.

I will next go for a Fili...if possible (Spain).

Then a Swedish, Japanese, or French one.

That should leave me with 8 really nice straight razors, which is 4 per restroom sink. (Master restroom, and office restroom).

I'll probably start selling-off my other ones, as I do not want to be a hoarder and have them start gathering dust in my drawers.

I'm pretty excited about this newest Wacker acquisition. They said it will take a little longer, as it is a custom straight razor.

Not a problem with me.

You definitely do not want dust in your drawers! lol.

People who are saying Filarmonicas are overpriced have not kept up with how much prices have risen for all premium NOs/mint vintage razors in the past 18 months. They’re not overpriced, that’s what the market brings now. Want overpriced? Check out a supermarket steak ($25+ for ONE), a 9-pack of premium butt wipe, and the list goes on.

Do the wobble test on a Filly? They’ll fail, and I’ll buy those at 50% of what you paid for them if that’s the only defect. Dr Matt observed that they all had a little hump in the middle of the spine, and he ground that out. But a ‘smile’ means that the blade width is narrower at the toe and heel vs the middle. if the hollow is properly ground, that means that to maintain an evenly wide bevel, the spine has to be thinner at the narrower parts of the blade, the toe and heel. That means that the spine is thicker in the middle, and will wobble on a flat surface. You can make the spine flat but you’ll hone the smile out of a properly ground blade. Right?

Originally Posted by Steve56

Do the wobble test on a Filly? They’ll fail, and I’ll buy those at 50% of what you paid for them if that’s the only defect. Dr Matt observed that they all had a little hump in the middle of the spine, and he ground that out.

I would not take for granted what other people say.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Steve56

People who are saying Filarmonicas are overpriced have not kept up with how much prices have risen for all premium NOs/mint vintage razors in the past 18 months. They’re not overpriced, that’s what the market brings now.

The Filarmonica razor linked was neither NOS or mint and did not sell.