They're outstanding razors, but there are other outstanding razors as well. It's my understanding that Filarmonica stopped making straight razors (they still make other products) a year or two ago, so that may be a factor in the jump in price.

If you get a Filarmonica I'm confident you'll like it. But don't allow yourself to get ripped off. I also think you'll like a Boker, Theirs-Issard, LeGrelot, and many other brands as well.