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

I really like the original scales on the Filly.

Hi Obie,
Don't get me wrong...I love my 14DT too...out of this world shave if we talk about shave quality. But the balance of the scales is just not there (for me). I feel like I have to work extra hard to keep the balance while shaving...I am not sure how to explain it.

Thanks,
-Robert

Originally Posted by Obie

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

Right on the money my friend ...they are $$$ for what you get. My point is somehow the same. The scales should also reflect good quality. Seems like the bade and the scales are from 2 entirely different worlds.

Robert

Originally Posted by Joed

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.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

1. As I understand it (and from the mechanics of a everyday shaving), the scale provides balance to the blade during a shave. I don't find this to be the case with my Filli 14DT.

In principle yes, but these large blades are the exception. The vast majority of razors are 5/8 and sometimes 6/8 and 7/8 and the standard scales provide very good balance for these. Now when you make a 1" blade the weight of the metal increases qute a bit compared to the weight of the plastic even if you scale it accordingly. Now most of the people who customize and restore razors learn after a while the importance of mathching the weight of the scales to the blade so that the balance is really good. My best example is a 1" Livi in olive wood - you'd be surprised how effortlessly handles. Of course there are also razor makers with far more ego and greed than common sense and whether their razor is well balanced and handles well is just a matter of chance - if it isn't they'll never bother to fix it since it costs time and effort.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

2. Also, a floppy scale may not allow for proper centering when closing, increasing likelihood of edge damage if not careful.

Scales shouldn't be floppy. But you have to realize a lot of plastics don't age well and the geometry can change so it's not uncommon that the blade won't center anymore.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

That's not to mention that most (well at least me) of us buy these things for their looks and aesthetic value...cheap plastic scales are just that: cheap!!

Well perhaps you should be buying different razors then I remember plenty of razors with fantastic ivory scales go lonely and unwanted. Good thing I'm there for them.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Hi Obie,
Don't get me wrong...I love my 14DT too...out of this world shave if we talk about shave quality. But the balance of the scales is just not there (for me). I feel like I have to work extra hard to keep the balance while shaving...I am not sure how to explain it.

Thanks,
-Robert

Hello, Robert:

No, not at all. Thank you for your thoughts. You make a good point. Razors will have a different feel in each shaver's hands. Consequent I fully understand the difference in Filarmonica's balance for you and me. Of course, my razor, the Philarmonica 13, is smaller than your 14, which is enough to create a difference in balance. For me, the razor fits in my small hands perfectly. Obviously, yours is a different story and I agree with your point.

Interestingly enough, all of my 22 razors balance comfortably in my hands, all except the Thiers-Issard "Dos Festonne" with white bone handles. It's a gorgeous razor and a great shaver, but I am somewhat uncomfortable with the balance: the scales are way too heavy for me. The blade is big and the razor obviously needs muscular scales, but I feel this one is way off balance because of the heavy scales in my hands. Others with the same model might find it well balanced. Not for me, though.

If the question is the razor's weight, I prefer to have it in the blade rather than the scales. The Filarmonica 13 is a treat for me in that and every other respect. I love everything about that razor.

Stay well.

Regards,
Obie

Yep, my fili's have "eh" scales. I still won't part with them.

I admit the Filarmonica scales are a bit light and "cheap." But I think I only really feel this way about the scales on my Doble Temple #14. On my Doble Temple #13s, they balance much better. On my #14 EPBD, I think the scales are fine, they are of a different and much more dense plastic. Don't get me wrong, Max could make a better set of razor scales by accident. But, they'll do.

But speaking as an American, I think people often "miss the point" of the Filarmonica scales, especially the colors. I'm pretty certain that the Doble Temple razors are scaled in colors meant to duplicate (or even actually use) the DuPont Company "Duco" classic colors used on General Motors cars (esp. Cadillacs and Chevrolets) and Fender guitars of the 1950s - 1960s. The classic GM cars of the 1950s and 1960s are revered throughout the Americas, and I suspect the use of these colors was intended for export marketing in Latin America. It can't be pure chance.

Myself, I love the Foam Green/Surf Green color of old Chevys and Fender guitars, so having a razor scaled in that color was a bonus for me. When you see the color charts below, you will know exactly the color I'm talking about. If you live in the USA and are of a certain age, either you or your parents probably owned a car this color at some point. My Doble Temple #14 is Sonic Blue.

Lest you think I'm making all this up, below I have posted images of the Duco Automotive Color Chart, and Fender Duco Guitar Color Chart. Find your Filarmonica color right here, and then tell me I'm lying! The Fender guitar chart *IS* the Filarmonica color chart.

Nice one Tim.

I have original black, and custom ebony, so that's kind of unspecial, but I really liked the pastel red on the 14DT I had. Too bad it was too large for my taste. I think you got my round pointed 13, and I don't quite remember the color anymore, but I blame the gin I just finished.

Hi Tim,
What can I say...I certainly learned something new today. Very, very interesting TIDBIT. I do not think you made this up and the color chart proves it .

PS: I do love Max's work...One of the reason's that I brought this post up is because I am thinking about having him rescale my DT #14 to nice looking scales

-Robert

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

I admit the Filarmonica scales are a bit light and "cheap." But I think I only really feel this way about the scales on my Doble Temple #14. On my Doble Temple #13s, they balance much better. On my #14 EPBD, I think the scales are fine, they are of a different and much more dense plastic. Don't get me wrong, Max could make a better set of razor scales by accident. But, they'll do.

But speaking as an American, I think people often "miss the point" of the Filarmonica scales, especially the colors. I'm pretty certain that the Doble Temple razors are scaled in colors meant to duplicate (or even actually use) the DuPont Company "Duco" classic colors used on General Motors cars (esp. Cadillacs and Chevrolets) and Fender guitars of the 1950s - 1960s. The classic GM cars of the 1950s and 1960s are revered throughout the Americas, and I suspect the use of these colors was intended for export marketing in Latin America. It can't be pure chance.

Myself, I love the Foam Green/Surf Green color of old Chevys and Fender guitars, so having a razor scaled in that color was a bonus for me. When you see the color charts below, you will know exactly the color I'm talking about. If you live in the USA and are of a certain age, either you or your parents probably owned a car this color at some point. My Doble Temple #14 is Sonic Blue.

Lest you think I'm making all this up, below I have posted images of the Duco Automotive Color Chart, and Fender Duco Guitar Color Chart. Find your Filarmonica color right here, and then tell me I'm lying! The Fender guitar chart *IS* the Filarmonica color chart.

Originally Posted by jeffus

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

Hi Jeff,
I just saw this review by Max of the #14 EPBD

Filarmonica 14 Especial Para Barbas Duras - Straight Razor Place Forums

PS: based on my OP, I do own a #14 DT and love it...just not the scale material