Thread: My Free Filarmonica...

I have been trying to get a Filarmonica for about a year now. I know they are everywhere, but I didn't want to pay the crazy prices they are going for on the 'bay.

I have had a friend in Barcelona looking for a few months to see what she could find. One of her friend's bf is a barber, and he thought they could probably find something.

Long story short, she had only found a few #10s. That is, until she moved out of the city to a small town called Vilanova. Downstairs from her new flat was an old barber shop that wasn't really open. Occasionally, she saw some guys inside playing cards, and finally decided one day to talk to them.

She found that one of the guys was the old barber and owner of the shop. She asked him if he knew anywhere that she could pick up some Spanish razors. He suggested a place, and then got to talking to her about her strange search for something very few people use nowadays. She told him, she was trying to acquire one for an American friend, who had a love for straight razors. He became excited and said that if she couldn't find any at the place he suggested, to come back and he would take a look at some of his old razors.

She went to the shop, but again, only a Filarmonica #10. She knew I wanted a #12 or above, so she had just about given up. As she passed by the shop, the owner came running out and thrust 2 razors and a loom strop in her hand. He apologized for their rough appearance, but thought that I could get the Filarmonica in serviceable condition. She offered him some money, but he refused saying he was just happy that there were people still interested in the old ways, and was glad that his razor might get a new lease on life.

It is pretty rough, but I think I will be able to get it in rotation soon. Here are some quick pics of my Filarmonica #14 Sub Cero. With a little TLC, I think she will come out ok.

It looks like someone tried to engrave an "R" in the hollow. I thought it maybe the owner, as the box has "Rodriguez" and the city name on it.




I really wanted to save the gold wash, but with the thick buildup on the edge and the spine, it is slowly fading with my attempt at removing the mess.