does anyone know the best filly shavers to the least fav. i have been looking at these for some time and all the models are just an overload,just looking for some advise,also do all fillys just come in a round point, thanks:confused:
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does anyone know the best filly shavers to the least fav. i have been looking at these for some time and all the models are just an overload,just looking for some advise,also do all fillys just come in a round point, thanks:confused:
I have seen both spikes and round points on the same model.
I have not tried anything but #13 DT, it gives superb shaves.
I've shaved with a Filly Double Temple 13 round point and I still have my Filly Double Temple 14 square point. Of the two, I think I prefered the 13 because I don't really like how flexible the large, full hollow is. Not that the 14 is a bad shaver by any means, I just need to pay a bit more attention to my technique with her.
As much as I like the shaves from these razors, I still think they are hugely overpriced.
very true, tI have shaved with a few other brands that shave just as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
Hugely overpriced, but I wish I had been into straight razor shaving back in 2002. I was in Madrid, Barcelona and Toledo for over a week. If I could find that time machine, I'd go back to that time and buy ever Filly I could see. I was even in a cutlery shaving shop in Madrid and bought a hefty Merkur DE. There had to have been Fillys in that very shop!!! Oh well, it was a trip of a lifetime regardless.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
Chris L
I think you have to make a list of all models first, then you have to acquire collection of each model on the list.
Then you shave with them for few months and you'll have your ranking.
Then you send them to me and I use them for few months and I'll tell you my ranking. Or you can do it the other way around and I'll rate them for you first :)
Do tell :) Which brands are equivalent?Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
Well, Dubl Ducks have similarly horrible scales for starters...Quote:
Originally Posted by willow2006
As for the rest: An experienced shaver will be able to shave with anything. Apart from that, different razors honed by different people will shave differently on different faces with different preparation methods. And that is not even taking different strops into consideration. There is a good reasons why "how it shaves" is not a rating in our razor reviews - it would be nigh pointless.
I have shaved with Henckels #52 1/2 which shaved just the same in terms of feeling and smoothness , and Griffon #62 which although was not the same grind shaved the same. I am sure there are many others.Quote:
Originally Posted by willow2006
I have 16 different razors I shave with . Some are German , some are English , some are Swedish , some are USA , one is French , and another is Japanese . They range in size from 4/8 - 7/8 . As far as shaving goes , blade width , and type of grind are the only factors I've found that affect the way a razor shaves .
When comparing razors, it is easy to feel differences due to size/grind/weight - and one should also note that these three factors are interrelated (as I mentioned above, if you have two razors with the same hollowing but one is larger than the other, the larger one will be heavier but will flex more). The differences in steels are more subtal, but I can often tell the difference. Then, as others say, the finishing hone, the strop, your skin, your lather, your prep, your technique and lots of other factors all come together and affect how good any given shave will be. Shaving with the same razor/lather/strop two days in a row will yield two different shaves. Your shave even changes during the course of a single shave. Even a single pass.
When all the factors add up correctly, you can get a mind-numbing, face-invigorating shave from any shave ready razor; different combinations work with different consistancy for different people. You just have to find what works for you. ...And then continue with your AD's as you hunt for something better. ...And then continue to improve your various techniques as you get better.
i agree..Holli...i have a doble temple 13 spike...it's huge and heavy and i love it, it's my number two favorite shaver...i think people that don't have a filarmonica because of price or lack of appearance should not comment on what a fili is! what is priced to high..if something in demand is proven and is going to last...the amount is priceless...look at Robert Williams....do you think he's over priced...i think not..i don not own one but what goes into make his shavers from start to finish is the real reason for price...hard work...if any of you have commented on the price think again...watch a video of how these amazing razors have been made and are still being made...by my estimation the prices should be higher..they are real craftsmen!
enough said i love my fili i own one!
Wulfgar
Sorry, I still don't own one. And I never will. I recently had the distinct pleasure of test shaving a #13 and #14. An interesting experience. The razors shave well. The scales are a complete joke. In my opinion, Filarmonicas fall into the same category as Dubl Ducks, or W&B razors: If you can get one in excellent shape for under USD 100, get it. If not, you can get an alternative for less money that will shave as well as or better than any of these. It really is that simple. In the case of one of the hyped brand names, you will most likely not get what you pay for. Which doesn't mean you should not buy these razors, quite the contrary. The more people concentrate on them, the more time for the more experienced users to hunt down no name Solingen razors. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Wulfgar
Yep, I have a few no name razors that shave just as well as any that I've had... One rather poor looking razor has no marking or name anywhere on it except for "Rangoon" on the tang, and it gives a dandy of a shave.
that's great if you gave it a shot and it didn't work out for you, but opinions are like assholes everyone has one and they all stink!...i have two wade and Butchers both great..i have 12 straights now..i can rant and rave about the kropp that i have or the Korn, but it's up to the owner of the shaver to tell if they like it...it's all personal and everyone buds in like you know what other people want...i have and ERN that people say are garbage and won't hold and edge..mine is great sharp as hell and always a pleasure...and i guess your calling all the Experienced users on here that have fili's and W&B what? idiots because they don't hold your opinion and they should be looking for a better shaver...no one can tell you what a better shaver is...it's all preference! and scales are not what makes a shaver...it's the preference of the of the carbon steel or stainless steel blade that is connected to scales poor or not....never seen scales shave someones face! too many high horse i know everything types on here! There goes another skinky opinion!
I love the filarmonica scales, with the harp and the pastel colors. Very cool.
I'm a huge fan of solingens, and have quite a few (friodur, twins, regeldson, puma, schlieper, revisor gold, wusthof, ator, kama, thessenbruch, dorko, two weltmeisters (one SS), goldedge, and probably a few I'm forgetting). I love them and all give great shaves, but my fily 13 with pistacio scales is consistently as good or even better than them (although how you define better when all shave great is a big artistic).
With all these fillys I find myself hoisted on the horns of confusion. We have Filarmonica razors (found to be marvelous shaving tools now that they are no longer made) and Filly strops (found to be fine tools given that they are very reasonably priced). My confusion comes from their all being identified by "filly".
For those of us who are becoming increasingly dis-minded, could we adopt some slightly different nomenclature for these fine, albeit different, products? Perhaps a Fila and a Filly? Whoa there, are those strops made of horse skin? If not, perhaps we should refer to those Fillies as Calfies.
:idea:
But none are Spanish!!! :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by dave5225
This post is about Filarmonica razors, as there is only one Filly strop and therefore could not be a "pecking order".
To naysayers in the "one razor is not better than another" camp -- what would you say about Szco, Zeepk, Economy, Tomahawk, etc? Is it just because these are on the SRP "do not buy" list that they are disregarded? When is the last time a honemeister attempted to put a fine edge on one of these and have a shave?
There are so many threads that draw conclusions, based on price, scale appearance, et cetera, saying that a comparable shave could be had with a Genco, Torrey, W&B, or random Solingen. Could you not also make the same argument based upon the "do not buy" list? In other words, I don't think that we can imply, for a single second, that all razors shave equally. Tempers, grinds, sizes, weights, balances, all play a part.
Maybe my comparison to "do not buy list"-razors in terms of shave quality is a little drastic, but my point is that razor A (filarmonica) will shave me better than razor B (say, John Engstrom or something comparably mid-level price-wise). Maybe your experience is different. But to me, the higher prices (which I agree are now out-of-hand) are at least justified by the fact that I can get a better shave with it.
Also, to answer the OP's question, I think the 14 EPBD would sit at the top of the ladder, followed by the Doble Temple. I haven't shaved with the sub cero or others, so I can't speak to those.
Cheers!
Yeah , good point . Please disregard any comments I made in this thread .Quote:
Originally Posted by Oglethorpe
I write this as one who sincerely believes that Filarmonicas really are a little different and better than most other razors I have tried. Whether they are worth the going rate, I don't know - what's a razor worth to somebody? I can only speak for myself. Some I paid well below the going rate for (but still high, for a straight), and one I paid the going rate for. I wouldn't have known a good razor from a bad for the first three to four months I was shaving, so I feel that buying an expensive razor if you're brand new to this is a waste of money. I would have ruined one through bad honing, bad stropping, bad shaving, or all three. Don't buy junk, but don't waste money on an expensive razor to start. Any good vintage German or American razor in 5/8ths or 6/8ths, honed by somebody who knows how, would fit the bill.Quote:
Originally Posted by willow2006
There are three razors that remind me of a Filarmonica #13 Doble Temple in their type and quality of shave. By this I mean very sharp and take a great edge, very smooth and forgiving on the skin, and have a great "feel" that's hard to define, a maneuverability and confidence that I'll get a great shave when I pick them up. I've only been at this about 18 months, so factor that into my opinions. :fim:
The first is a Taylor Eye Witness 1000 in 6/8ths. The second is an Otto Busch Weltmeister in 13/16ths, which may be the very smoothest shaver I have ever tried, when well-honed and stropped. The third is a Le Grelot full hollow in 6/8ths. The Taylor feels a little lighter than the #13, the Busch a little heavier/stiffer, the Le Grelot about the same; but they are all definitely in the same class to me. The Busch may be better than the Filarmonica #13, the Taylor almost identical. The edges I get on my Le Grelots "test" as sharp as the Busch and Taylor, they just don't (quite) shave as sharp as the Busch and the Taylor, but close.
For the #14 Especial Para Barbas Duras, the closest thing to it I've tried is a big Henckels Friodur. The Friodur has a narrower spine, the EPBD is a little heavier, and "nicer." Both are very hollow, take ferocious edges when honed right, refresh well from stropping, and sing nicely when stropped. The Friodur is 1/3 the price, but way more than 1/3 the razor.
As far as the #14 Doble Temple, there honestly is no other razor I've tried that reminds me of it, and I prefer big razors. It doesn't feel like a bigger version of a #13 to me, it's a different feel entirely. It feels even bigger than it actually is because of the wacky scales, takes some adjustment to handle right, and has the odd combination of being both very sharp yet very gentle on my skin. Once I adjusted to the balance and weight, I really like the let-the-razor-do-the-shaving feel I get with the #14 DT. The #14 DT is not my favorite razor, but it's among the top with those I've listed above. There are others that are as good, but remind me not at all of any Filarmonica (Kinfolks Blue Steel Special, Droescher Gold Bug, old Greaves Sheaf Works, etc.).
Probably more than what you wanted to know, and entirely subjective. But based on personal experience, and honest. None of the razors I've listed are inexpensive, but all are less than Filarmonicas.
I would have sworn the title of the original post was "filly pecking order" and that's all one gets to see when one is scrolling down the threads, hence my question.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oglethorpe
I have the #14 Doble Temple and the #14 EPBD and both were bought NOS. If I had to rank the two, I would rank the Doble Temple slightly ahead of the EPBD. The difference is so minor that I would likely give you a different order in another week.
I have a 14 EPBD and a 13 DT. Both are incredibly smooth, but I marginally favor the 13 DT.
It seems as if the sentiment in this thread is that those who own Fillys feel that they are in so many ways superior to most other blades.
Those who do not own them perhaps do not understand how there could be such a vast difference between a great shaver and a Fili.
I can't put it into words because I just don't have them. Someone more eloquent than I am may come along and make the experience succinct, but for me it defies language. And I'm not just being sentimental about my razors. There is a difference. When I shave with them, they glide across my face and they're so smooth it feels like they couldn't cut butter. But the whiskers are gone and my face feels smooth.
The first time I used my 14 EPBD I remember thinking, "It doesn't even feel like I could cut myself with this." And I got an amazing shave.
The Fili sets a new standard for what I expect out of a razor now.
As a Filarmonica guy, I often compare all razors to them. I have paid some nice chunks of change for different razors. Some were worth it, others weren't. Lots of razors that I have are as good as the Filarmonicas. In that respect, I don't think Filarmonicas are THE BEST... just AMONG THE BEST.
For example, two new ones I got are the Dorko 300 and a Helje MK 31. Those are both excellent. I've only used the Dorko once so far, but I was giddy as a schoolgirl when I was done shaving. It's so nice.
So... the moral of the story is... YMMV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oglethorpe
:idea: I concur
You know the cool thing about Razors with crappy scales, They can be rescaled. Ducks, Wade and Butcher and Fiarmonica are awesome shavers. Some of my best shavers are Fily's, Ducks, and Mastro Livi's. Of course, you then have the problem of it no longer being original, but if you intend on keeping it, You can really do some wonderful things to it.
Henckels, Boker, Most of the Solingens, etc..have cheesy Celluloid scales, at least some of them do. Yes, the scales are pretty crappy, no doubt, but that's where Max comes or Glen, or any restorer comes in...They can hook you up. I too have got excellent shaves with 5 dollar no name ebay razors. If you hone, and the steel is good, well, then you can get a good shave. But make no mistake, Fily's are good shavers.
Also, I always liked the cracked ice sclaes on the Goldedge's and Wonderedges. I think they look cool. If the manufacturere skimped on the scales, but used quality steel, Well, I'm OK with that, after all, What's the most important part, Scales are aesthetic, but functional. I don't like holding something that feels like it's going to break..(Fily EPBD) ..I'm partial to natural wood scales, like on the NOS Livi's. Not only do they look good, but they're sturdy. I guess it comes down to, "Each his Own".
We can discuss English, German, Swedish and blade width and grind all day but until you have shaved with a properly sharpened Filarmonica, you are missing one of the best shaves possible.
I have about 40+ razors and the Filly seems to be the best.:soapbox:
I've used one, and it was very good. However, my Pumas, Friodurs, DD, and some other no name razors have shaved as well if not better. I think the feeling that they are "better" than some of the names I mentioned may have to do with people justifying the high price paid on an subconscious level.
They are great shavers, without question. However, for the money spent, you can get several razors that are right there with them for the same price...:)
I've got a couple of 14s, a 13 and a couple of 12s including one Filly with both Filly and C-Mon markings on the blade and the box. All real good but not better than many other full hollows I have. Just IME.
Ladies and gentlemen:
I have only one Philarmonica. It's the #13 Doble Temple square point. I bought it from our good friend Leon at Vintage Scents.
I don't know how the #12s or the #14s are. I can only speak of the one I have. So in the pecking order, the #13 is my favorite, since it's my only one. It has the off-gray plastic scales with the green print.
I love the razor: from its looks, including the plastic scales, to the way it shaves. It's a perfect fit for my hands and for my state of mind. It is also one of my favorite razors.
Regards,
Obie