Thread: Why Are Philly's So Good!?

I've never used one but I'm going the conspiracy theory route and saying that hype from long ago has translated into a current day placebo effect. I've read many unbiased opinions, such as Jimmy's, which say they are great shavers but on par with others of the same caliber.

Just like Titleist golf clubs... they're great but when you enter the premium market, there are simply small differences that set competition apart - otherwise there would only be one company.

Originally Posted by kevin007

First I was going to ask why they are so expensive, but after receiving one from a friend I learned two things.
One is that it honed up faster than any other razor I had done before it.
And second that not only did it get super sharp but it gave me the smoothest shave ever!
How and why is this possible?
I am assuming it is because it has more silver than other razors so it is easier to hone and doesn't have that scary sharp edge. I didn't feel like if I accidentally changed the angle or pressure it was going to cut me. It gave me confidence to do what I need to do with no fear.
Amazing!
Now why?

I'd bet if you felt that comfortable with all of your razors, you'd find that almost all of your shaves would be amazing.

Originally Posted by ats200

I've never used one but I'm going the conspiracy theory route and saying that hype from long ago has translated into a current day placebo effect. I've read many unbiased opinions, such as Jimmy's, which say they are great shavers but on par with others of the same caliber.

Just like Titleist golf clubs... they're great but when you enter the premium market, there are simply small differences that set competition apart - otherwise there would only be one company.

no Placebo effect here they shave really great, there however are other brands that shave just as well.

Originally Posted by kevin007

First I was going to ask why they are so expensive, but after receiving one from a friend I learned two things.
One is that it honed up faster than any other razor I had done before it.
Possibly the bevel was already set or closer to it than previous razors.

And second that not only did it get super sharp but it gave me the smoothest shave ever!
How and why is this possible?
Good quality, well heat treated & tempered, fine grained steel that doesn't chip or easily burr up while honing, will do that . As previously mentioned there are other brands that are similar.

I am assuming it is because it has more silver than other razors so it is easier to hone and doesn't have that scary sharp edge. No, no silver added as previously mentioned.
I didn't feel like if I accidentally changed the angle or pressure it was going to cut me. It gave me confidence to do what I need to do with no fear.
Amazing!
Now why?

Don't forget the recent planetary alignment could have played a part. Yes... Joking

Originally Posted by JimR

An "easy to hone" razor is usually a thin or soft razor. Easy to hone often translates to "needs honing more frequently." Not a good thing or a bad thing, but something to take into consideration.



What does "double forging" mean?

Easy to hone in this context is IMO more related to a very narrow bevel, not the hardness of steel. On a EPBD it is quite narrow compared to your average Solingen.
I have not noticed any softness in the Filarmonica steel, compared to e.g wonderedges, puma's or F.W.Engels razors.

If I had to guess, I would think it is the double tempering the poster referred to.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

But nowhere have I ever heard the virtues of Spanish steel being something special,so what is it?

The Spanish steel, or rather the Toledo steel, as it is often referred to was once of legendary status.
I'm not saying the Filarmonicas are produced of said steel, but yes, Spanish steel has had quite the status in history.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

IME high carbon steel full hollow Solingen razors, from the '60s and earlier, are generally superlative shavers and you don't need to jump through hoops to hone a fine shaving edge on them. Fillys, Pumas, Ducks and many lesser known brands have all been exceptional AFAIC. Personally I couldn't rate one brand as "better" than the other, though every now and again one individual razor may stand out.

Yup, that pretty much covers it. Well put, JimmyHAD.

We've discussed this kind of thing before as to what makes some razors seem exceptional over others. I have a filly from the last batch that were sold NOS and it is a very good shaver but nothing exceptional and was more difficult to hone.

In the end if you took a bunch of your razors and you were blindfolded do you think you could pick out razors based on the feel if someone shaved you?

Ya know it is funny that Lynn and I were talking the other day, not about Filli's, but about exceptional shavers in general, and we were discussing what the difference was between a great shaver, and an exceptional shaver... There are many great shavers out there, in fact the more razors you hone, the better you get, the better you get, the more you find funny how that happens...
But every now and then you get an exceptional one, one that makes you take a step back and say, Whoaaaa.... But to call it a brand or even a type of razor might be streching it a bit, myself I am more of the opinion that the "exceptional" comes down to way to many variables to call out just one... as the saying goes... JMHO

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Ya know it is funny that Lynn and I were talking the other day, not about Filli's, but about exceptional shavers in general, and we were discussing what the difference was between a great shaver, and an exceptional shaver... There are many great shavers out there, in fact the more razors you hone, the better you get, the better you get, the more you find funny how that happens...
But every now and then you get an exceptional one, one that makes you take a step back and say, Whoaaaa.... But to call it a brand or even a type of razor might be streching it a bit, myself I am more of the opinion that the "exceptional" comes down to way to many variables to call out just one... as the saying goes... JMHO

yes, that's what I have always said. It's something intrinsic to the razor that the best honing in the world can't create in a lesser razor. Probably just perfection in it's creation I would surmise.