Thread: Are Filarmonica razors really that great ?

I am just approaching my sixth month of straight shaving so am still pretty much a Newbie. I have read all the hype on Filarmonicas and seen the astronomical bids on eBay. Among my goals in building a 28-day collection was to find new and vintage razors from different countries in a variety of grinds and sizes. My first 26 razors included razors from the United States, England, Germany, France, and Sweden. I had despaired of getting any Filarmonicas (Spain) because of the high cost. Fortunately, I finally found two (one in France and one in England) that did not have the exorbitant prices on eBay.US. I did settle for a 4/8 and 5/8 size. The available larger sizes carried a pretty steep price even in the European Union.

Early this morning, I received a NOS 4/8 Filarmonica DT Stainless from England. I sterilized it and used it for for the time. I decided to see how it shaved right out of the box with a factory honing. Wow! What an incredible shave. It was smooth, comfortable, and close. 95% to a BBS with one pass. I can't wait to see what happens with a normal preparatory stropping. I was prepared to be unimpressed with this 4/8 razor so was a bit taken back by its excellence. I can see why so many people love Filarmonicas. I have some very fine razors but I would certainly place this one in the top tier. This razor completed my 28-day set.

Last Thursday, I got "Razor No. 27", which is a NOS 5/8 Filarmonica Doble Temple from France. I was busy with a house guest and have not gotten around to using it yet. However, after my positive experience with the 4/8 Stainless, I am now looking forward to seeing how the 5/8 DT stacks up.

I will not generalize on all Filarmonica razors but my first experience with a Filarmonica has made me a convert. YMMV.

Happy Shaving!


FOLLOW-UP:
The shave I got yesterday with the 4/8 Filarmonica Stainless was so close that, this morning, I didn't have enough beard growth to even contemplate a shave. This is the first time I have experienced not needing a shave after 24 hours. Actually, I was a little disappointed because I had planned on trying the new 5/8 Filarmonica for the first time.

It seems Gibbs and I are on the same Revisor bandwagon. Amazing blades.

Originally Posted by DLB

I am just approaching my sixth month of straight shaving so am still pretty much a Newbie. I have read all the hype on Filarmonicas and seen the astronomical bids on eBay. Among my goals in building a 28-day collection was to find new and vintage razors from different countries in a variety of grinds and sizes. My first 26 razors included razors from the United States, England, Germany, France, and Sweden. I had despaired of getting any Filarmonicas (Spain) because of the high cost. Fortunately, I finally found two (one in France and one in England) that did not have the exorbitant prices on eBay.US. I did settle for a 4/8 and 5/8 size. The available larger sizes carried a pretty steep price even in the European Union.

Early this morning, I received a NOS 4/8 Filarmonica DT Stainless from England. I sterilized it and used it for for the time. I decided to see how it shaved right out of the box with a factory honing. Wow! What an incredible shave. It was smooth, comfortable, and close. 95% to a BBS with one pass. I can't wait to see what happens with a normal preparatory stropping. I was prepared to be unimpressed with this 4/8 razor so was a bit taken back by its excellence. I can see why so many people love Filarmonicas. I have some very fine razors but I would certainly place this one in the top tier. This razor completed my 28-day set.

Last Thursday, I got "Razor No. 27", which is a NOS 5/8 Filarmonica Doble Temple from France. I was busy with a house guest and have not gotten around to using it yet. However, after my positive experience with the 4/8 Stainless, I am now looking forward to seeing how the 5/8 DT stacks up.

I will not generalize on all Filarmonica razors but my first experience with a Filarmonica has made me a convert. YMMV.

Happy Shaving!


FOLLOW-UP:
The shave I got yesterday with the 4/8 Filarmonica Stainless was so close that, this morning, I didn't have enough beard growth to even contemplate a shave. This is the first time I have experienced not needing a shave after 24 hours. Actually, I was a little disappointed because I had planned on trying the new 5/8 Filarmonica for the first time.

I've there too. So sad when there is not enough beard.I just received my first Filly. DT 13. Great shave.

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.

Originally Posted by Bruno

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.

+1 with all of the above.
If a razor is honed correctly it will shave great no matter what the brand is.
I am so happy there are some great brands out there that are not hyped, helps expanding the collection without breaking the bank.

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.