Thread: The insane price of Filarmonicas

Are these price changes driven by fashions among straight shavers, or among the collector-but-not-shaver people? Or a bit of both?

I didn't know there were collectors only until that thread about the 17k collection a few days ago.

There are always certain "in" items no matter what hobby you are in and they demand a premium to get once they are popular. When the next latest and greatest come along they loose their shine and the price drops.

Bob

Generally, these are driven by the shavers.
The scales are pretty bland so they don't attract the general collectors who are in it for the scales.
The blades are not special either, so they don't attract the collectors who might want it because of the welding patterns or rare steel types.
Ergo, only the shavers remain.

W&B's are similar. There is absolutely nothing tangible which makes them worth the premium over other brands of that era. It is all down to brand recognition and the 'must have' factor.

I had a few 14s that I got when the market was reasonable. I sold them when it became so inflated. They are good razors in terms of the steel and the shave quality. They are worth $150 to $200 for an excellent + copy. The prices they are bringing now reminds me of the Dutch tulip frenzy or the American housing bubble. Any quality Solingen razor made in the 20th century will probably perform as well for a fraction of the current price of the filly. OTOH, it is like the 'designer jeans'. It won't have that label.

Over the weekend I saw about 10 NOS Fillys for sale. One with a buy it now of $1500. All the rest close to $900.

Nice money if you can get it.

Like the 20 grand Jnats on the bay,those razors never sell at much over 500, whice is still a rediculas number.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Generally, these are driven by the shavers.
The scales are pretty bland so they don't attract the general collectors who are in it for the scales.
The blades are not special either, so they don't attract the collectors who might want it because of the welding patterns or rare steel types.
Ergo, only the shavers remain.

W&B's are similar. There is absolutely nothing tangible which makes them worth the premium over other brands of that era. It is all down to brand recognition and the 'must have' factor.

I 100% agree with your view regarding W & B and Filli's i've restore a few and owned a couple, and I would rate every razor I now own better in quality and equal or better shavers than the W & B or Filli's i've owned, I think they are vastly overated, I would have them down as good but certainly not exceptional.

Jamie.

Originally Posted by Matt69

Are these price changes driven by fashions among straight shavers, or among the collector-but-not-shaver people? Or a bit of both?

I didn't know there were collectors only until that thread about the 17k collection a few days ago.

That's not a collector, that's a hoarder

Thats why I bought an Iberia Doble Temple #13 for much less, and its as good or better than a Filli. I know a website chaulk full of Fillis for good prices too. As for W&B, i much prefer Rodgers, or Wostens, or Reynolds. The only W&B I"d ever get is my dream razor which is an Adamantine Edge.

A few years ago Classic Shaving was selling the last production Fillys as NOS pieces. I think I paid around $100 for a 7/8s. They had a hard time selling them off then. I can imagine if they sold those now.