Thread: Cheap Filli scales?? on $$ blades - what gives?

I've gotten used to the cheap plastic, but none of mine hit the sides. The first EPBD I purchased I sent to Max to be rescaled, and it is tempting to get them all rescaled since it turned out so very nice. Here are my pics from an earlier thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post452726

I remember seeing that on Max's site...so, you're the one who owns this beast. Lucky guy

-Robert

Originally Posted by jeffus

I've gotten used to the cheap plastic, but none of mine hit the sides. The first EPBD I purchased I sent to Max to be rescaled, and it is tempting to get them all rescaled since it turned out so very nice. Here are my pics from an earlier thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post452726

Yep, very lucky. I bought it for somewhere above $200, the going rate when I got the addiction. The scales were somewhere around $100. But I have a hole in my head where my memory should be

Max got me hooked on 7/8 blades by selling me this one:
Vintage Straight Razors : T. Hessen Bruch Co : 7/8 : Half Hollow Ground : Faux Tortoise

It's my all time favorite. I would give up all my Fillies just to keep this one.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I remember seeing that on Max's site...so, you're the one who owns this beast. Lucky guy

-Robert

PS. If I remember correctly, Max likes the Doble Temple more than the EPBD. Maybe you can find one of those instead?

I don't understand what all this fuss over scales is about. Fillies, DOVOS, and yes, the revered DublDucks, etc. are machine made, mass produced products. Why do people expect them to have been made with today's hobbyist/collector market in mind? These razors probably sold for ten bucks or less back in the day. BTW, Escher and Belgian hones sold for about two bucks or less back then as well. Does any of this have anything to do with today's market? NNNNOOOO!!!! Baseball cards, old tins, Depression glass, the list goes on and on. If anyone wants gorgeous scales on a razor there are many superb craftsmen within our membership who will accomodate you. And after you get those fancy scales on your Filly, try to sell it. A surprise awaits you...

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Well...I heard that DOVOS are hit or miss too.

I've only honed and shave with about 60 new Dovos, but I have never handled one that is a "miss." Of all of those, the worst problem was slightly loose scales (razor wouldn't sit open, but there was no wobble). I'm not saying there are no bad ones out there, but I wouldn't say it's "hit or miss."

I agree with the cheapness of the scales, but keep in mind the price of Filarmonica is largely due to overhyping. Many members have stated that those razros were in the 100 range maybe less a few years ago.

My NOS Dorko being equal in shave quality to a Filarmoninca has pretty poorly
finished scales too. My personal feeling is, back in the day the main focus would be the blade quality, with minimal cost for scales.

Gentlemen:

I have a Filarmonica 13 with the off-gray plastic scales and the harp emblem and the name in green. My razor came from Leon in perfect condition: everything was where it was supposed to be.

And talk about a sweet shaver.

I love my Filarmonica 13 exactly the way it is, plastic scales and all. I suppose I can have the scales replaced with something dazzling — but why? Those simple plastic scales and the writing and artwork in green are part of the razor's original personality. They are part of its identity.

I take my Filarmonica 13 exactly as it is — and love it.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by blaireau

And after you get those fancy scales on your Filly, try to sell it. A surprise awaits you...

-This is very true, try to sell a rescaled Filarmonica. It's not easy, you lose alot despite the quality of material being much better than the original plastic...

oh, and by the way I am of the belief that filarmonicas really do shave extremely well, its the steel as opposed to the scales that makes them what they are...

I have a couple of Fillies with plastic scales and they are just fine. I have also seen one of the NOS Fillies that are being sold for high dollars. The plastic is much different and a much lesser quality than on my Fillies. As most of you know I like to keep my razors as original as possible even when I rescale them. If I had one of the latest sold NOS Fillies with this extremely cheap plastic (the cheapest plastic I have seen on a razor) they would be gone in a heart beat. You should also know that I wouldn't pay half of what they are selling for on eBay now even with the higher quality plastic scales. I have too many razors that shave at least as well as my Fillies and were a small fraction of the cost. Do what you will with your money but to me you are paying for Prime steaks and getting a lot less even if just for the cheapest of plastic scales. Maybe it's just that the name is easy to remember. While the quality of the blade is good the value for the dollar is not IMO and I've got bunches of razors to compare them to.