Thread: Classic Shaving Filarmonica

Has anyone purchased Classic Shaving's Filarmonica. I thought they looked good, 3 pin razor, Fily steel, of course, probaby crappy Fily scales. Well, I broke down, and pulled the trigger on one...(Sorry Robin)

When I got it, it looked like someone dragged the scales along concrete or took 220 grit sandpaper to them. I contacted Classic Shaving. They were very helpful and graciously offered to swap out the razor for me. They even sent me a postage paid envelope to send the other one back.

To my surprise, The new one they sent, was just as bad as the first. I couldn't even decide which one to keep. The were both that bad.. I don't think I'm being overly critical here. I have many razors, NOS, Customs, Vintage, even Ebay specials, I even have other Fily's, 13's, 14's (EPBD) and Medallion Taurino. None, not one, look like these do. The scales are all scratched up.

I figured I could have Max rescale it for me, some nice Jade Ghost or something, but then, I have to lay out more money, Not that Max isn't worth it, he is, every penny. It's the point. It's a new, well, NOS, razor.
I might be able to take it to my bench buffer, and using Enkay Polishing Compounds buff it out, but I don't know. These are Fily scales we're talking about. I'd have to be really careful with them....

Classic wants me to send back the second one too so they can compare it to the rest. I figure if both razors that I got look like that, then they all do.

Has anyone else bought one of these? Are the scales all scratched up?
I just wondering if I have that bad of luck, or is this how they come. This is not Classic's fault. They're a great vendor, and will work with you, but I'm just wondering if I'm the lucky one, or has anyone else been so lucky

I had one and sold it. It never shaved very well. It was nigh impossible for me to get a shaving edge on it. The thing that bugged me most was that I bought it and paid the extra money to have it pre-honed. It sucked. The scales were really cheap, without even a real spacer, just the two scales glued together. This was back in early summer 2008, so I paid $140 or something, before they jacked the prices. But I was still pretty disappointed. It was not at all like the vintage Fillys (I have and love a #13 Doble Temple and #14 Especial). Some guys have honed them to a great edge and like them, but I was too novice at it and had expected it to shave properly given I had it pre-honed.

s.

I have read people comment that the last Fillis (Classic shaving) are not as well made and do not shave as good as the old stock from the 1960s. I have not seen a particular complaint about scale condition.

I don't know anything about that razor in particular. But I have handled a few of these.

Originally Posted by persco

I had one and sold it. It never shaved very well. It was nigh impossible for me to get a shaving edge on it. The thing that bugged me most was that I bought it and paid the extra money to have it pre-honed. It sucked. The scales were really cheap, without even a real spacer, just the two scales glued together. This was back in early summer 2008, so I paid $140 or something, before they jacked the prices. But I was still pretty disappointed. It was not at all like the vintage Fillys (I have and love a #13 Doble Temple and #14 Especial). Some guys have honed them to a great edge and like them, but I was too novice at it and had expected it to shave properly given I had it pre-honed.

s.

I hadn't heard that mentioned before either.

I have a drawer full of scales that also fit that description. Interesting.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I hadn't heard that mentioned before either.

I have a drawer full of scales that also fit that description. Interesting.

Those look like gold dollar scales!

Sorry to hear that Rich.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I have read people comment that the last Fillis (Classic shaving) are not as well made and do not shave as good as the old stock from the 1960s. I have not seen a particular complaint about scale condition.

That's interesting you mention that considering Lynn is the one who hones these for CS.

Why is the craftsmanship any different from 60s? I'm curious as you just discouraged potential client(s) from ordering one from CS. Nevermind the scales. It's given that they're POS and not exactly the prettiest to look at.
The shave is what I'm after.

Thanks for the input sire.

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Sorry to hear that Rich.

That's interesting you mention that considering Lynn is the one who hones these for CS.

Actually, when I purchased mine I asked CS whether or not they were honed by Lynn. They told me they used a well-known honer, but they wouldn't say it was Lynn. I was later told that it wasn't Lynn who did the honing for them anymore....

s.

Rich,

I've had many of the CS Filly's in my possesion and none had really scratched up scales. Plain, black and to small looking for such a heavy piece of steel, yes. But never scratched.

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Sorry to hear that Rich.



That's interesting you mention that considering Lynn is the one who hones these for CS.

Why is the craftsmanship any different from 60s? I'm curious as you just discouraged potential client(s) from ordering one from CS. Nevermind the scales. It's given that they're POS and not exactly the prettiest to look at.
The shave is what I'm after.

Thanks for the input sire.

I do not know any details, just paraphrasing what I have read in some threads. The consensus seem to be that older Fillis are better quality and better shavers.