Thread: Why Are Philly's So Good!?

My first WOW shave was a Henkels. My next was a flea market find, I think Christian or something like that. I have shaved with 3 different Ducks and still don't see
what the fuss is about. So yes, the size, weight, skin type, and a bunch of other factors go into a great shave. One being getting the right lather up which I still cannot do well enough for it to be opaque and not melt off my face as soon as I apply it.
Anyway, the point is this was not my first wow shave or connection with a razor guys. Not to say I have anywhere near the experience you do, but
is over and over again, not just one shave.
To address the easier it is to hone the more you may need to touch it up, I think if you don't strop well you may need to do a lap or two, bu that is it.
I don't have the luxury to use it all the time because I am still trying to get my honing down and need to work on different kinds of blades.
One last thing for you meisters out there...I have seen about every video I can find and read a lot but have yet to see anyone address whatI have found the biggest problem in honing and that is the problem blades. Lets face it, how many lay totally flat and don't have some issue that needs to be addressed. Weather it be a small dip in the middle or the toe that won't hone up. There are so many problems but I only see everyone showing straight up and down or X patterns and basically talking about numbers of strokes and pyramids when I want to know the little tricks of the trade about the tough spots.
gssixgun did mention using his finger to hit a problem spot in one of his videos for a second but what if the dip was more pronounced? If you push don't the two touching sides get extra force as well. The other method is pulling off the side but tilting and hitting the edge the wrong wa always scared me. I guess with practice.
Sorry this went too long. had a couple of beers but am going to bed.
Thanks for any advice or references.
gnite

I own several Filly's and yes they are great shavers, but there are a lot of razors on equal ground. As was mentioned above, it is just probably something in their making that all the elements came together to make a great razor that takes a great edge. I will say however that someone recently loaned me an EPBD and I got my first WOW shave from a Filly with it. These are the most expensive of them, but not many razors will give me a "wow" feeling while shaving. The EPBD did (my DT's don't) and it wasn't just some fluke edge as I was able to re-hone it to my preferences and really was amazed at the edge it took. Now are they worth $$$$ that they are going for these days? That may be another question.

Lots of meat, cheese, some onions and a fresh roll... how can that not be good??







OK, now I'm hungry....

Originally Posted by kevin007

I don't have the luxury to use it all the time because I am still trying to get my honing down and need to work on different kinds of blades.
One last thing for you meisters out there...I have seen about every video I can find and read a lot but have yet to see anyone address whatI have found the biggest problem in honing and that is the problem blades. Lets face it, how many lay totally flat and don't have some issue that needs to be addressed. Weather it be a small dip in the middle or the toe that won't hone up. There are so many problems but I only see everyone showing straight up and down or X patterns and basically talking about numbers of strokes and pyramids when I want to know the little tricks of the trade about the tough spots.
gssixgun did mention using his finger to hit a problem spot in one of his videos for a second but what if the dip was more pronounced? If you push don't the two touching sides get extra force as well. The other method is pulling off the side but tilting and hitting the edge the wrong wa always scared me. I guess with practice.

You need to pay more attention to the Beginning of all those vids out there... Restoring / Fixing / Bevel setting,,, is all about 1k and below,,,
We reset the bevel to even during that stage, after that it is just honing,,
90% of the work is in setting the bevel, 9% is in sharpening and 1% is on the final finish stone...
Some people actually consider work done below the "4k" level (I use that loosely to describe the Sharpening stage not to reflect the Hone used) to be Restoration not even part of honing

Back on topic, this reflects on the Filarmonicas, and other quality brands also, as these, unless they are somehow damaged or mis-treated are easy to "Hone" you can usually start at the 4k level, and pop a fantastic edge on them... Some of the newer Fili's can get a bit finicky on the final finish with being harsh, if yer not careful, but in general they are straight forward on the hones/stones

I love to weigh in on these questions because I love Filarmonicas...
My DT13 was my first wow shave and continues to be my favorite, even if due to sentimentality. The EPBD and 14 Novodur shave just as well but handle differently due to their size. In my experience far less work is needed on the hones to get them into top shape, which they tend to hold for longer periods of time. I have seen a small handful of Solingen razors that match the shave quality and feel, but far more that were harder to work on or I could never quite get comfortable.
I think what sets them apart is how they were ground. All the elements were just right for an exceptional tool. But they are definitely not the only or most exceptional shavers out there. The brand is simply consistent.
C is for Consistency and that's good enough for me.
I find burning some copal improves any razors performance, FYI.

I haven't gotten to all the videos by sixgun yet but I will when I have some more time.
Thanks for weighing in guys.

What is copal? and why burn it?

I myself do not find Fillys to be exceptional, there are far too many better razors out there.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I myself do not find Fillys to be exceptional, there are far too many better razors out there.

And what are they in your opinion?

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

And what are they in your opinion?

Just about anything is as good as a filly, some are better(this is usually an issue of grind with me and not manufacture), what turns me off about them the most are the oh so very crappy and cheap plastic scales. Nothing really wrong with the steel, but it is not deserving the high praise it gets.