Thread: I don't like Filarmonicas...

Originally Posted by Blackstangal

Had one Philly and sold it.No big deal.I have Otto Deutsches,Erik Anton Bergs,Heljestrands,ect,that shaved just as well.I have an old wosty frameback with one wood scale and one horn scale.One ugly razor,but what a shave.I choose to leave it alone because if she made it this far why mess with perfection.I got to the point where having a nice shiny razor really doesnt mean all that much,but a nice sharp shaver is the bomb.I guess razors are like women,its not always how good they look its how they treat you.Dont get me wrong Phillies are cool but way more than I like to pay for a razoe,especially when you can get them way less than a couple of hundred bucks.

Well Said my friend.....Well said....

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

I personally love the complete setup of a Wapi, and they are great shavers. Not to mention 1/4 or less the price of a Filly.

....when the scales are replaced, and provided you didn't get a blade made from an old German tank. Personally, I'm just not comfortable shaving with something made to section cadavers.

That said, I think the Filarmonica scales are disgusting. But the blades look b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. so you can send yours to me, and you'll never have to look at it again...

Originally Posted by zib

You make a very good point. I've read it on here and said it myself. Some of my best shaves have come from 5 dollar no name ebay specials. a lot has to be said about the way the blade was honed. That can make or break any razor....

I have some pretty well known brands in my rotation, Wilkinson, MAB (finally shaving well), Heart ring, Dovo, as well as some pretty unknown ones, McPherson, crown cutlery etc

I've had all sorts of others from well respected British (mostly) makers.

Anyway, the brand is irrelevant, if you shop well you can get some very fine razors for not a lot of money. Buying into a fad will always see you paying over the odds IMO.

I dont like the aesthetics either. Find them boring, however ive never used one.

Saying that i hate the aesthetics of most dovos also and pretty much every modern razor

I'd like to have a Filly, too. But like many of you have said, I'd rather spend a skosh more money to get a lower end custom or a regrind by the well known craftsman. If I come across one at a reasonable price, I'll snatch it up though

The CS Filarmonica was one of my first razors (not a good idea by the way). I got it prehoned by Lynn and it was great - very firm, stiff, close smooth shave. After using it a while and needing to rehone, it took a while to get competent at honing it, but I got there and it's a solid razor and a monstrous 15/16s.

I recently got a NOS doble temple 13 (a nimble if substantial 13/16s) and it's easy to hone and a lovely shaver. Wouldn't have guess it was the same brand as the CS doble temple 13, and they aren't even close to being the same size. I also happen to love the pistacio harp scales - something very "nice vacation in exotic locale" about it to me.

But I guess my bottom line is I wouldn't judge the old filarmonicas by the classic shaving ones because mine are totally different animals. I got the CS one before they doubled the price so mine is worth it but I wouldn't buy them for what they now go for. I got my NOS pistacio one for about 150 and it's worth twice that to me, I like it so much.

But all kidding aside, they are dreadful, and everyone should stop bidding for them, especially the barbas duras.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Unless I am missing something how is the looks related to the quality of shave?

Sorry about the subject deviation, I did not intend to make that correlation by posting a shave related post in an aesthetically driven discussion. You make a good point and, outside of further structure versus function investigation, I think you just cured my RAD. My mind wanders at times... My original post should have read something like:

Not all Fillys have funky colors, if you have trouble with the campy colors coming from down south you always have the option of a classic black Filly! Now then, as it so happens, have I got a deal for you today....

just kidding. And as a p.s. I am in no way affiliated with CS and this post is a refection of my opinion.

Fillies give excellent shaves. Were they to give average shaves I think they would attract more criticism regards their appearances. Scales are really cheap looking.

I got my Filly from Classic Shaving about 3 years when they were advertising them as the last available. I think I paid $99 for it. Its a great shaver. Honing can be a bit challenging.