Thread: I don't like Filarmonicas...

There have been literally a dozen or more highly knowlegable people saying that it's one of the best razors out there, period. I must be the only person in the world, apparently, that just doesn't like the aesthetics of the these guys. As far as frills goes, it should only be a $120 razor, but I don't want to focus on just the money factor here.

I don't know...maybe, like other things, it has more appeal in person that it does in photos.

sooo...I'm ready for my lashings, but before I get them, anybody else want to step out of the closet and say they are fugly too?

I love fili, but you are allowed to have your own opinion.The worid in which all people would think the some would be absolytely unacceptable.By the way you can post your unliked fili to me

Never used a Filly, but purely on aesthetics, I loathe the scales. They look cheap & nasty.
Having said that, I'm a big Friodur fan & would like to compare the two.

My Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple and my Henckels Friodor 8/8 Spanish point shave about the same. I don't really see what the fuss is about, I paid less than USD 175 for my Filly NOS just a few weeks ago....

Originally Posted by Otto

I don't really see what the fuss is about, I paid less than USD 175 for my Filly NOS just a few weeks ago....

You got lucky. If they were commonly available at that price, we'd all have one.
Nice buy!

You know, I was thinking about this earlier this week (not the aesthetics but the shaves). I've been rotating a Dorko 1217, a Palmera #14, and a Classic Shaving Filarmonica. Now, I imagine it is probably just my technique but the Filarmonica is the razor I enjoy the least because it doesn't provide as smooth or comfortable of a shave as the other two. I've tried rehoning it without improved results (I ran the Palmera and the Filarmonica through the same shave ready honing routines, and the Palmera turned out really nice), so I've decided that it needs its own shaving technique that I have yet to develop. Any suggestions? At one point I even considered putting it up for auction because I've been so disappointed with it, and getting another brand's 8/8 from around here. I mean, don't get me wrong: it's sharp and it shaves, just not as comfortably as the other 2 in my opinion. I dunno, I know these CS ones may be prone to honing troubles so maybe it isn't my technique. I want to like it, but at this point it is taking more effort and work than my others, which from what I've read is very uncharacteristic of them.

Originally Posted by Xury

You know, I was thinking about this earlier this week (not the aesthetics but the shaves). I've been rotating a Dorko 1217, a Palmera #14, and a Classic Shaving Filarmonica. Now, I imagine it is probably just my technique but the Filarmonica is the razor I enjoy the least because it doesn't provide as smooth or comfortable of a shave as the other two. I've tried rehoning it without improved results (I ran the Palmera and the Filarmonica through the same shave ready honing routines, and the Palmera turned out really nice), so I've decided that it needs its own shaving technique that I have yet to develop. Any suggestions? At one point I even considered putting it up for auction because I've been so disappointed with it, and getting another brand's 8/8 from around here. I mean, don't get me wrong: it's sharp and it shaves, just not as comfortably as the other 2 in my opinion. I dunno, I know these CS ones may be prone to honing troubles so maybe it isn't my technique. I want to like it, but at this point it is taking more effort and work than my others, which from what I've read is very uncharacteristic of them.

Actually there's a big difference between the vintage Fillys and those Classic Shaving ones. I've owned the CS Filarmonica, and currently own #14 Especial, and #13 Doble Temple. The CS Filarmonica was just not a great razor. I bought it pre-honed and it was gave a crap shave, I sent it out to a well-known honemeister, it came back and still gave crap shaves. I finally sold it. On the other hand, the vintage Fillys I have are AMAZING razors. Both were NOS, the #13 Doble Temple didn't even need sharpening out of the unopened box. It sat in there untouched for 50 years and then just gives a great, great shave. Super.

I agree, though that the big downside to Filarmonicas are the el cheapo scales. But the blades are beautiful.

scott.

I don't like the look at all ready, particularly on the round points. I also don't like that the only ones that pop up ever are 7/8+. If I was buying something to shave with, I wouldn't spend $20 on a blade that big, let alone $200+. I suppose it really comes down to preference. I'm sure they are great shavers, but nothing about them appeals to me. 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.

Personally I've gotten as good a shave with half a dozen other razors. Then again I've only ever tried half a dozen razors. I feel sometimes it just comes down to technique. Anyway, I bought the Filly because it was so hyped. I think it was a perfect first razor - I like to start with a quality instrument. I also bought it because it was advertized as a real work-hoarse Barber's razor with no frills; that said, I agree that in the aesthetics department they suck, IMO. I intend to customize the handle soon. My Japanese razor has often become my go to, but then some people don't like those, so we all have our own likes. As for price - I remember that the price went up as soon as they stopped producing them and someone started a thread and all the Filly users bumped it up with high reviews. (On that vain I also remember Lynn rage that US made razors went up for the same reason.) I like my Filly, but I agree that it costs more than it's worth today. It's not like it's a custom razor, or has nice scales, or is made from stainless, or an independent; though you don't find too many 7/8ths at that price. Fortunately I got mine before the price went up. Sorry this comment is so patched together, I just wrote it as I thunk it.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

You got lucky. If they were commonly available at that price, we'd all have one.
Nice buy!

I got one off ebay for $147 total with shipping. However, its NOS, but has specks and does not look like a new razor. ITs a #13. I haven't tried to shave with it yet.
We'll see how she does later.