Thread: Filly 14s the difference between Doble Temple and Especial Para Barbas Duras

Hi guys,

I wanted to ask what is the difference (apart from the obvious aesthetics such as the detail on the back of the especial, the gold leaf on the doble and the rubber thang) between the Filly 14s (particular the double tempered and especial).

Is the Especial's steel also double tempered, and if not does this make it inferior in any way. Does the double tempered keep its edge for longer?

Look forward to your thoughts.

Thank you.

Just IMHO but I don't think anyone can give a definitive answer on that. My guess is the biggest difference is in the etching on the blade. It doesn't make sense to me that they would have used another alloy or a different method of tempering. OTOH, it could be a different grind. I have a few doble temples and one Novodur para professionales and they appear to be identical to me.

I was under the impression that the Double Temple's were double tempered, but that's just my assumption based on the name and I could well be wrong.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I was under the impression that the Double Temple's were double tempered, but that's just my assumption based on the name and I could well be wrong.

I agree that is the impression they want to give. I wonder if there is anything to it ? Case Bros in Little Valley, NY started stamping their cutlery with an XX to signify double tempering .... or so I've read. Maybe Mike Blue or one of the other members hip to metallurgy and razorsmithing could comment. It seems to me that it would be redundant and might be unfeasible. I mean once it is done it is done ..... I guess.

The question reminds me of the ducks. AFAIK the only one of the Pearlduck series that differs in steel is the Wonderedge. It is reputed to be cyro treated and harder than the others. I am under the impression that a Special # 1 or a Goldedge differ only in their cosmetics. IME one shaves as well as another.

I would like to find a Barbas Duras that didn't cost an arm and a leg to see for myself whether the grind is different than the Doble Temple or if it feels different on the hone or in the shave. IME the Wonderedge is harder than the Special or the Goldedge, at least on the hone.

I agree. it would be very interesting to hear what someone who knows has to say about the metalurgy.

well there's so little information about the technicalities of making any production razor that i doubt we'll ever know.
pretty much all the stuff that we know is from the marketing blurbs.
for example the wonderedge is the premium duck model and it was marketed as such, but i wouldn't be surprised if the other ducks were made of the exact same steel with the exact same process (to me it's still clearly a different razor though and the one i like best among the ducks).
grind differences are obvious, so the goldedge is clearly the most hollow ground of all ducks.

as far as the filarmonicas go, I've seen different people have preference for different models. it's probably the same as any other really good razor, at the end of the day it depends on the combination of the razor, honing, shaving technique and the alignment of the moon the day you thought this is the best razor ever.
i've certainly noticed that between say two of my best razors, the one i like just slightly better changes.

Originally Posted by gugi

it depends on the combination of the razor, honing, shaving technique and the alignment of the moon the day you thought this is the best razor ever.

I always wondered why my hair seemed harder to cut during a full moon, like the hair is thicker almost like that of a wolf...

[QUOTE=gugi;531024]well there's so little information about the technicalities of making any production razor that i doubt we'll ever know.
pretty much all the stuff that we know is from the marketing blurbs.
for example the wonderedge is the premium duck model and it was marketed as such, but i wouldn't be surprised if the other ducks were made of the exact same steel with the exact same process (to me it's still clearly a different razor though and the one i like best among the ducks).
grind differences are obvious, so the goldedge is clearly the most hollow ground of all ducks.

as far as the filarmonicas go, I've seen different people have preference for different models. it's probably the same as any other really good razor, at the end of the day it depends on the combination of the razor, honing, shaving technique and the alignment of the moon the day you thought this is the best razor ever.
i've certainly noticed that between say two of my best razors, the one i like just slightly better changes.[/QUOTE]


Ainahsohey? I have 2 Friodurs which are current favorites, one squarely pointed and the other roundly blunted. Each shaves better than the other unpredicably and both are shaving better than the past champ, a Le Grelot which probably got peeved when I fickled Friodur.

I love both the #14 Doble Temple and the Especial Para Barbas Duras, but I feel that they shave differently. Both outstanding, but different.

My #14 DT measures 0.27" width at the spine, 1.01" blade width. The EPBD is 0.29" width at the spine (slightly less hone wear), and 0.99" blade width. Pretty much identical.

The #14 doesn't balance well because of the cheapie scales, it's blade-heavy. It "feels" bigger, fatter, and heavier than the EPBD because of this. It takes a wicked, sticky sharp edge, and is the most comfortable blade against my skin of any I've tried. As it dulls, it doesn't get harsh, it just gets gentler. Something in the Spanish steel, I don't know metallurgy. A great shaver, kind of big luxury car feel.

The EPBD is also huge, but "feels" lighter, thinner at the spine, and wider at the blade, though actual measurements don't support this. The more dense scales and the rubber grip improve the balance dramatically. It has the very sharpest edge of any of the razors I own, with a very narrow bevel. It handles very precisely relative it's size, and reminds be of a great big Dubl Duck or Puma. It's skin-friendly, but not quite as gentle as the regular #14. It is louder when shaving or stropping. Kind of a big sports car feel. A bit like a big Friodur, but a bit better I think.

If I was asked to choose between them and keep only one, I'd have a hard time. These impressions of the differences are completely subjective, and I may be full of crap. I only have one of each, so I cherish them. I got a deal on the #14 in the SRP classifieds last year, but paid through the nose on eBay a few months ago for the EPBD. Both of them lead me to use a lighter touch, and both feel like they do the work of shaving instead of me. Both respond very well to stropping, and keen up beautifully in no time.

Here is a close-up photo of each side by side. The #14 is on the left, the EPBD is on the right. The grind of the EPBD appears (to me) to be just barely more hollow, but it feels a lot more hollow in practice (again, to me).

Hope this helps, just one guy's opinion.

Thanks Tim,

That is agreat comparison, though subjective I have learnt alot.

Cheers!