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I troll around eBay looking for bargains on used straights and can't help noticing how much Filarmonica's keep bringing. There is one about 30 minutes away from selling for well over $300. Are these things that rare? That good? I know people get carried away sometimes on eBay, but this appears to be a consistent pattern for these razors. Just curious.
Not very rare anymore, but the hype is huge.
That said, a good Filarmonica is very good, they basically hone themselves with nice feedback on the stones, and offers very nice edges and shaves.
A nice big EPBD is something special, and worthy of hype IMO.
They have been going for a chunk of change the last couple of years.
I suppose most have their own reasons for paying what the market seems to value them at these days.
As do I, while fully acknowledging that there is a Filarmonica hype going around the SR forums.
IMHO they are very good razors.
Then again, so are hundreds of other brands from various time periods.
I agree with the hype hypothesis. Mind you, the big-dollar sellers do need to be in pretty good condition to get the money.
James.
If you think they are worth the asking price they are. if you do not they aren't. Simple eh?
Yes, but then the not-so-simple bit is what to do if you want one but do not agree they are worth the price....
James.
You could do like I did. Finally got one and said "Eh" after a while and sold it making money to buy several other razors I liked better!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
I just got one off eBay. It was used and advertised as excellent. I thought I had overpaid, but really wanted one. I honed it last night and used it for the first time this morning. I would have paid much more after having used it. What a great shave!
I love the really old Vintage stuff filly put out,but compare the end of production razors to them and is like night and day as to quality,Are far nicer razors for less money,as to fit and finish JMO.
Especially since it is a full hollow destroying the "you need a wedge for tough beards theory " :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Blix
Are other Spanish Blades that will easily Fill that bill at a fraction of Filly cost.Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
Some with Filly DNA:)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ne/palmimp.jpg
The scales came out well :tu:Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
In the light its difficult to tell what the material is......per chance ivory?
Yes,Gem quality Ivory,cannot capture the heavy grain patterns with My camera tho:(
Is the wedge for heavy beard thing still floating around? Ah well, to each their own.
Personally, and this is in no way a reflection on how well Filis or any other Spanish blade shaves, I find say a Bengall to be in every way an equal shave to any and all Filis I have tried. I can pick up a Bengall for 20-30 dollars in quite good condition. Therefore in my mind it is genuine hype that is driving Fili prices, pure and simple, because time has proven it is not related to supply - there seems to be a constant stream of them cropping up at very regular intervals.
James.
There are many paradigms floating around in regards to razors. I find what I have experienced, what I heard from the old time barbers in the area and what I have been able to find on the net challenge some of them. Some people like the wedges for 'heavy beards', some like harder steels, some like the Filarmonica and/or Dubl Duck razors. I find that it all comes down to the edge on the razor which relates to the last person to hone them and their skill level working with the particular metal and hardness of the steel. The Filarmonica and Dubl Duck razors have a less hard steel than many others available both vintage and new. That coupled with a good heatment as well as the Cryo treatment in the Dubl Ducks and the Double Temper of the Filarmonica make them easier to hone. A razor that is easier to hone increases the odds of obtaining a good edge more probable and we all know what a good edge means. The down side to a softer steel would mean that the razor needs to be honed more frequently. To some this doesn't matter, to others this would not make a good razor. Remember a while ago when people were moaning about how hard it was to hone a Fredrick Reynolds? Being hard to hone would not make this a good razor in for some people. Those that know how to adjust their honing methods to address the steel in the Reynolds would have an edge that lasted much longer than the average razor. To some people that would make them a better razor. In the end everyone determines what is best for them and what price a razor is worth. To me, the Filarmonica razors shave well but not any better than many of the razors I have that cost 10 x's less and I consider the Filarmonica cost are related to hype and then ease of honing. If ya have the honing skills there are many razors to be had at a fraction of the cost. If ya don't have the skills all it takes is time, patients, attention to your honing and noticing how the hones and razors are interacting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
You all know there is this psychological thing all humans suffer from where we want a particular item so badly because we just know it is superior no matter the cost when fact tells us it's really no better than another item far cheaper. Razors, watches, cars, clothes and on and on.
Dr Spender once told me if I should find myself in that predicament I should just stick my finger in the nearest AC wall outlet. That will curtail the mania immediately.
Size matters :)
It really isn't the "Brand" that gets the big money it is the #14 and that big ole 1 inch of beautiful steel the smaller #13 and #12 got a bit of a boost from the brand recognition but nowhere near the Hype of the #14. Add in a bit of mystery about the origin of the #14 grind (never proved) with a few 1000 newbs and we have sky high pricing :)
These were normal priced razors for many years then a huge glut of them came out of South America and it happened to coinside with a huge glut of newbs to this hobby :) and the Hype was born...
Besides the hype Joe has it dead to rights they are a damn good razor that takes a damn smooth edge, (just like tons of other razors) but they are a gleaming 1 inch of steel to boot, and that does command a bit of a premium...
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.
But Bengals are harder to hone :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo