Thread: Filarmonica's- What am I missing?

Each of us has our own individual understanding of quality. We have come to like certain aspects of blade geometry, shape, style and aesthetic qualities of various razor brands and models within those brands. I think one of the best ways to appreciate a razor is first and foremost, how does it shave and hold an edge.

Once we find a blade that totally performs to our satisfaction, it is at this point that all we must do is to have it polished and rescaled with the best material we can afford and it is at that point that the razor will give us the ultimate enjoyment. It will look as good as we could possibly want it to and it will shave as good as we could possibly expect it to.

Save your money, lads. And spend it wisely............ !!!

P.S. I just signed up for Medicare. It's a sad day...............

Jerry
~~~

I got a couple of Fillies through pure luck--I paid NOWHERE NEAR the prices they are getting these days. I, too, am not a big fan of the aesthetics, but when I shaved with that EPBD, I took a whole new look at the eBay auctions. It's pretty much PERFECT for me. Size, weight, shape, and the edge...man oh man. It's a keeper all around.

As for "cheap" scales, well, they're plastic, and they're probably injection molded, but they do the trick--and the black ones are a-ok with me.

That being said, do I think they're all worth the money? Well, the big ones might be, because big blades always go for a bit more, but not really that much.

One thing that really, REALLY bothers me, though, is when a person says to another "You shouldn't spend money on something that you like, because it's not worth it, and you don't need it." Whose money is it? And who judges worth? And of COURSE it's not necessary, I could grow a beard, I could get electrolysis, I could get an electric. None of this is about necessity, it's about taste and enjoyment.

Originally Posted by JimR

I got a couple of Fillies through pure luck--I paid NOWHERE NEAR the prices they are getting these days. I, too, am not a big fan of the aesthetics, but when I shaved with that EPBD, I took a whole new look at the eBay auctions. It's pretty much PERFECT for me. Size, weight, shape, and the edge...man oh man. It's a keeper all around.

As for "cheap" scales, well, they're plastic, and they're probably injection molded, but they do the trick--and the black ones are a-ok with me.

That being said, do I think they're all worth the money? Well, the big ones might be, because big blades always go for a bit more, but not really that much.

One thing that really, REALLY bothers me, though, is when a person says to another "You shouldn't spend money on something that you like, because it's not worth it, and you don't need it." Whose money is it? And who judges worth? And of COURSE it's not necessary, I could grow a beard, I could get electrolysis, I could get an electric. None of this is about necessity, it's about taste and enjoyment.

I hope you don't perceive me to be telling people what to do with their money. I'm just asking for reasons why one of these is worth me spending MY money on. I don't see the value, but I'm not passing judgment on others.

Originally Posted by JimR

One thing that really, REALLY bothers me, though, is when a person says to another "You shouldn't spend money on something that you like, because it's not worth it, and you don't need it." Whose money is it? And who judges worth? And of COURSE it's not necessary, I could grow a beard, I could get electrolysis, I could get an electric. None of this is about necessity, it's about taste and enjoyment.

Absolutely right. I still think we should let visitors to this site know what some razors are simply ridiculously overpriced. Because the average beginner will read the reviews, and get the impression that only the mega buck razors are worth shaving with, while what happened is that reviewers probably saw many good vintage shavers but chose not to review them because they are uninspiring. Of course, there are more contributing factors to a razor's "worth" than functionality, don't get me wrong.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Absolutely right. I still think we should let visitors to this site know what some razors are simply ridiculously overpriced. Because the average beginner will read the reviews, and get the impression that only the mega buck razors are worth shaving with, while what happened is that reviewers probably saw many good vintage shavers but chose not to review them because they are uninspiring. Of course, there are more contributing factors to a razor's "worth" than functionality, don't get me wrong.

But Robin, that leaves all the great vintage lesser known or lesser hyped razors for the rest of us, eh?

Seriously, though, you have a point. Interestingly, and consistently, the majority of razors in my "rotation" (which usually ends up being no more than five razors at a time that I have shave ready) have always been and continue to be lesser known brands or more or less unknown brands. I always seem to have a 4/8 or 5/8 square point wedge like a Bowdins or WEDGE, a 5/8 round point Solingen (I have a stable of different lesser known brands), etc. The impressive and sought after razors get some play, but as crazy as it sounds I like using the underdogs and unknowns. They suit me.

Chris L

Full Disclosure: I'm very much in the "Filarmonicas are very special razors" camp, and own four of them. Three of them right out of the SRP Classifieds. Luckily, only one of the four did I have to pay the current market prices for on eBay, and I don't regret a penny of it.

That said and out of the way, this morning I shaved with a Taylor Eye Witness 1000 in 6/8ths that I bought from Sham on the SRP Classifieds for $60, honed and shipped. It honestly reminded me of one of my Filarmonica #13s. Efficient, nimble, and friendly on the skin.

So I can certainly pay a lot less than Filly prices and get a stellar shave. But that takes nothing away from Fillys for me, which I still feel are (usually) worth even the current eBay prices. Ugly scales and all. That's some very sweet steel there.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I don't think there are many vintage shavers that are sought after because they are any better shavers than other vintage razors. IMO, it's just like the DD frenzy. Sure Filly's and Ducks and the others will give a great shave, but so will many many many vintage razors.

For one reason or another, certain makes and/or models become popular at certain times, and prices go way up. I do think one contributing factor is what people say about razors right here on SRP. Notice that there were a few senior members who were saying great things about Filly's around the time prices went up...

I haven't had time to read all posts/responses yet; that said this IMO is spot on.
I paid $96US for a NOS #13 about 6 months ago, the same seller on the *bay had two NOS, identical, except for the color, the red one went for about $50 more, which really surprised me. Now i rarely see them go for under $150 (if your looking hard) and higher 300+

I have the feeling SRP and friends have a lot to do with it, your recommendations, opinions etc. good DDs are hard to find; there are more filis around and they are hot items, Im not a collector though, its my daily shaver.

Talk about a Filarmonica reaching the custom price range. A #13 on the Bay sold for, $427.95

The first three razors I ever used were honed by max right before my eyes. I took them home and tried them all twice. The Filarmonica stood well above the others in my opinion, but I kept the Heljestrand because it was just as smooth and sharp, just petite, a quality I have grown to like. Based off that initial landslide, I am convinced of the Spanish steel's quality. Like I said I watched Max hone all three and the Swedish and Spanish steels both took much longer to bring to sharpness due to The hardness. In my limited opinion the hardness allows for a very fine edge that can hold for a very long time, which contributes to their shave quality. The Model that everyone is going nuts over, the Especial Para Barbas Duras, I'd suggest is all the best qualities found in fine razors combined into one through years of research and feedback, and maximizing Those characteristics. Let's face it, the EPBD is a caricature, but in my experience, a damn effective one. They are worth the price if you never use a other razor again, which is very possible. However if like me you find other razors in your stable that treat you well, hold out for a price drop. You'll get lucky. Eventually.

This is whetting my curiosity. What is special about a Filly? If you shave with it do you get such a close shave that you only need to shave like 2 or 3 times a week? Is it more comfortable, and if so what is it that makes it so? As a noob would I get less razor burn than I would with other razors? Do you only need to strop it once a month? Is it aesthetics? I am asking as beginner who is curious about the fact that there are only good things to hear about the Filarmonicas. I mean, if they are that good that everyone around (specialized razor enthusiasts) like them then everything else is just 'good enough' right? Do I really wanna settle?

Nevermind. Bassguy just answered some of these questions as I was engrossed in the ghost hunting show on TV...