I hope this post does not get me hung from the yardarm, because it's an honest question, and worthy of discussion in it's context.. I watched in amazement yesterday as a Filarmonica sold on e-bay for $450, and started me off to thinking... and questioning.
I come from a world of shotguns, shotgunning and gundogs. I've been into doubles, Over/Unders and SxS's from the continent for a long time. It's safe to say that Spanish shotguns have had a checkered history in this country. So much so, that all Spanish doubles were considered junk by many aficianados. Now, that was probably an extreme reaction then, and things have improved greatly since, but it's hard to overcome that kind of reputation.. especially in an arena as staid, traditional and opinionated as the world of fine shotguns.
The Spanish produce some fine shotguns, but the smart money still buys the particular gun, and not the maker. The problems in the past appear to be caused by spotty quality in choice of steel and heat treatment issues, and most of those issues appear to have been addressed, but the reuptation, in some circles lingers.
When I was a child, seeing "Made in Japan" on an item stood for junk that would likely break before one even got it home. I've seen that reputation turn 180 degrees in the course of my lifetime, to the point where that same imprint stands for a quality product... Quite an impressive achievement!
So, the honest question, which at this point should be obvious... Have the Spanish razors ever encounterted the same difficulties as the Spanish shotgun?? Has acceptance in other parts of the world been seamless??
P.S.
This thread is not to bash any country or it's products... just a point of discussion from someone new to the world of the straight razor.
