It seems Gibbs and I are on the same Revisor bandwagon. Amazing blades.
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It seems Gibbs and I are on the same Revisor bandwagon. Amazing blades.
I found them to be good shavers, but not worth the money they ask for these days IMHO, that said I sold them because I have other vintage straights that I like more.
Filarmonica are quality solingen razors. As are Otto Buch, E Herder, Dubl Duck, Puma, and a host of other brands from the same time and place.
The hype surrounding them is just that. Hype. By the same token, W&B is definitely not better than Joseph Rodgers. It's just what the masses think is more popular at a given point in time. You're not paying for higher quality, but for popularity.
I have two Filly's, both DT 13's, purchased on eBay as NOS. I did pay a lot for them, but that was a while ago and I still use them.
Along with my Puma, they take a superb edge and only really ever need stropping on pasted strops (3.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25μ each in that order).
The only other razor that I own is a Le Grelot 6/8 quarter (one of the originals). That shaves long stubble like a blow-torch through butter. Very smooth and refreshing.
I can only justify the additional coin spent on the Filly's due to the long-lasting edge that they take. They don't make them like this any more! Same level as a Puma, Dorko or Henkles and others from that period/area. Other than that, not worth any more than the others.
Maybe it is a poor analogy but I think of a lexus or a mercedes as opposed to a ford focus or a kai. They will all get you where you want to go but some , with admittedly a bit more luxury. (that is why it is a poor analogy) I sold my Fillys, 4 vintage pieces, too. They were great shavers but as mainaman said, not better than many unknown and non collectible Solingen vintage razors.
OTOH I keep some of my relatively expensive TIs because I really like them enough to hang on to them while there are many inexpensive alternatives that will probably shave just as well. If someone wants to spend the $ to get a vintage Filly they probably won't be disappointed.