Thread: Filarmonica # 12

Hello gents.

Today I went to an antiques sales near my house and I found a Filarmonica #12. I asked the seller if I could take a closer look and besides the rust and pitting, it was without any hone wear and the black handle was in mint condition, so I guessed "What a heck..." and asked him how much did he wanted for the razor. He told me I could have the razor, the razor box (which isn't the filarmonica's) and a wooden paddle strop (the tiniest paddle strop I've seen) for 10 Eur. I told him I wasn't interested in the paddle strop, so I paid him 7,50 Eur for the razor and he gave me the box.
Well, I've never seen a Filly #12. You guys always talk about the #13 and #14 meat choppers. I measured this one and it's between 4/8 and 9/16. It looks like the baby brother of the #13.
The razor has some rust and pitting, but I should clean that out, it's not warped so after a clean up it should get a bevel really easily.
Anyone else has a #12? By the look of this thread, I might consider myself lucky on grabbing such a razor for 7,5 Eur, right?
My only concern now is knowing the proper way to remove the surface rust without damaging the gold etch. What do you think?
(sorry for the bad image, it was taken by my PDA)