Thread: Do I need a Filly?

Lads

What is so good about Filarmonicas? I just have to know. More accurately, rather than claiming that they are so good without ever having tried one, let me rephrase; why do they fetch so much?

What are they like to shave with? Are they that much better than say, a large C-mon Blackie I just bought for far cheaper than any Filly goes for on the open market?

I'm looking for opinions of those who have tried both Solingens and Fillies.

Is it just that they are nice big NOS razors? If so, I have 7/8 Solingens and 8/8 Sheffields, so I can put my mind at rest.

I really don't want to take the plunge, they go for far more than I'd ever spend on a razor that wasn't either a custom or clad in ivory with ivory scales!

Not necessarily...Keep in mind, though, that Filarmonica's come in a variety of blade widths all the way from 9/16 to 8/8.

I own two. They deliver excellent shaves. But there are other straight razors out there that deliver equally excellent shaves.

I had the Sub Zero NOS (I believe 8/8)....It was a beautiful razor...I didn't really think it was that great...I traded it to a buddy for a Dovo Bismark (more comfortable on my face..6/8) and an Engels (which I personally think is the best razor out there...Very forgiving and typically well mad and not a kazillion dollars to buy..

Never having used a Filly, I can't comment from personal experience but it's hard to imagine any razor giving a better shave than my W&B or my Torrey. They were $20 each.

I have at last count 6 Fillys and they are undoubtably wonderful shavers. That said, there are certain realities that have to be mentioned...

First, my Barbas Duras Fillys are fantastic but really shine for those times when I haven't shaved for a few days and a blade has to cut through some really dense growth. While the BD will do the job well, I find that any sharp and stout (meaning wedge or maybe 1/2 grind) will do the trick just as well as long as it's 6/8 or wider.

Second, all my #13 Fillys are also really great shavers, but any number of W&Bs, or other well crafted blades will match their shaves. Personally I view full hollow grinds as "light" shavers (I know many will disagree) meaning that they do a great job with a single day's growth but I need a more stout grind and something 6/8 or better after 3 days growth.

So with that said, to me at least, a few Fillys can be your complete rotation with a selection from a #12 up to a BD. Of course that would be a little boring but if we're simply talking about a few razors to clear the face of growth, they'll fit the bill.

...says the man that has more blades than space to keep them and really really wants to not ever buy another blade again - but probably will the second a really pretty number that I don't have already pops up someplace. :-)

Its not about if you need one. Its about if you want one. I had one,just sold it. It deleverd a great shave. But i didnt bond with it. I have a few revisors that i fell shaved better. Plus other razors that are fantastic. So i feel at this point. 99% of vintage razors will perform for you. Figure the grind you like and go from there. After that it all about looks.

No, you don't need a Filarmonica.

They are great shavers, they take a very keen edge, and they do so easily IME.
Other brands are capable of the same thing, not all, but many.
IMO they look good, but again, so do others.

I have tried most of the Filarmonicas, I currently own 10 (and a few Palmeras and Ducals too), and I know one thing; I'll sooner get rid of any of my other razors, including all my customs, than my Fillies.
Others will no doubt choose differently, to each his own I guess.

Bottom line is, if you wanna try it, buy it, you can easily sell it again if you don't like it.

I've got five of the vintage Fillys, a couple of 12s, a 13 and a couple of 14s. All good razors. I was lucky and got them before the prices went wild. I wouldn't buy one at the prices they seem to be bringing on ebay nowadays but they are good shavers all IME. Here is a rare bird among the Fillys.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've got five of the vintage Fillys, a couple of 12s, a 13 and a couple of 14s. All good razors. I was lucky and got them before the prices went wild. I wouldn't buy one at the prices they seem to be bringing on ebay nowadays but they are good shavers all IME. Here is a rare bird among the Fillys.

That's a nice one Jimmy!
I have one of these on the way here. How wide is the blade on yours?
The one I recently bought is supposed to have a 1 inch blade.

Do you need one? Hard to say. At the prices they go for, borrow a couple of different types and shave with them before buying. If they were cheap, you would be able to buy one and if you didn't like the shave, there would be no real loss. At $300 minimum? Different story.

I've never tried one, but I have a source that I know would let me test shave one. I'm absolutely nuts about the old Sheffield stuff, but I definitely want to try a Filly. I'm more careful about my purchases nowadays. I wish I started this shaving madness 8 years ago when they were cheaper.