Thread: Filarmonica time-line

Is there a marked difference between the quality of Filarmonicas over the years. Are the newer ones marked "made in Spain" compared to "fabricacion en Espanola" noticably different.

I have read about/ own the newer no stamp just print Doble temple, so Im not so interested in that direction (as theres a lot on that already in dif. threads).

cheers,

'made in span' vs. 'fabricacion espanola' is probably just targeting different market. there are several different scale designs, and it looks that may have more relevant to establishing a timeline.
as far as differences, i don't know i haven't had so many as to be able to make a comparison.

I think the latest ones that were sold were basically around the time the outfit was closing down and the quality was off as they apparently rushed to get them out the door. I have one of those and though it's a great shaver the overall finishing and such is not up to par with the older ones and they require quite a bit of work to get shave ready.

I think one of the things that drove the price up so much on the vintage Fillys is the variety of blade etchings, scale colors and that sort of thing. Some of the more valued seem to be the series with the bullfighting etchings. Collectors love variety within a genre. Of course the vintage ones have a deserved reputation of being great shavers.

As TBS said, I heard that the last ones were not up to the quality control of the earlier production, but I've never encountered one up close and personal. Good to hear that they shave well once dialed in, and I'm glad the vintage 4 or 5 I had were purchased before the prices went through the roof.

I don't think I have encountered any of the very last produced.
I've acquired quite a few of Them over the the last 12 Months(26) And what I can tell you is that each and every one performs beautifully!
Mind you, I have not tried all of the blades available. I will be looking for a late Filly just to see if there is any noticeable difference in Quality

Originally Posted by Birnando

I don't think I have encountered any of the very last produced.
I've acquired quite a few of Them over the the last 12 Months(26) And what I can tell you is that each and every one performs beautifully!
Mind you, I have not tried all of the blades available. I will be looking for a late Filly just to see if there is any noticeable difference in Quality

Indeed there is! I have a late production Filli that my wife purchased from CS last christmas. They are heavier razors compared to the vintage Fillis, have a slight smile to them and they are a PITA to hone. I honed mine not too long ago and had to adopt the rolling X stroke due to the slight smile of the blade. I set the bevel on a 3K Naniwa with slurry raised with my lapping plate (I need to get a 1K for this type of work) and finished on the Coticule thru ten dilutions and 60 strokes on water only. You have to be persistant if you are going to hone it yourself. As to the steel, is hard just like the Henckels INOX. HOG