Thread: Question about a cracked NOS Filamarmonica

Besides needing to tame my RAD, I purchased a NOS 13 Filarmonica Doble Temple, and just received it today. I opened the package to inspect the razor and discovered what appears to be either a scratch or gouge, or a crack. It's located near the heel of the razor, and I've tried to take some decent pics of this, but my photo skills need to improve.

Here's the pics:



Can any of you with more experienced eyes tell me if you see any issues with this razor, or whether I need to return it. And yes, I'll get to working on my RAD straight away.

Gracias.

IME a crack will usually begin at the edge and run up toward the spine. That looks like it doesn't reach the edge. I would suggest an eye loupe of 30x or so or a microscope to really inspect it more carefully.

Hmmmmm it really depends on you, but I don't see that crack as a razor killer but the razor is NOT worth NOS prices now, either return it or negotiate a very substantial discount

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hmmmmm it really depends on you, but I don't see that crack as a razor killer but the razor is NOT worth NOS prices now, either return it or negotiate a very substantial discount

I agree that I don't believe that it's severe enough to render the razor useless, and candidly, I'm not interested in buying to resell at a later date, I tend to buy and keep. That said, you're also right in that it wasn't worth NOS price, but it was an auction, so I don't know how that affects things. I've sent the seller an email, with photos, asking about how we can address this situation. From what I gather, he's a fairly well known eBay seller in Japan whose name rhymes with "tappanpippon" and I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out.

Assuming I keep the razor, Glen it will need to send to you to have it sharpened and you can also give me your opinion of the mark.

Using my cell phone to look at it. From what I see its a manufacturing mark; not a crack. Does it ring when you hone it on linen or sound dull?

Originally Posted by Johnus

Using my cell phone to look at it. From what I see its a manufacturing mark; not a crack. Does it ring when you hone it on linen or sound dull?

I haven't even put the razor to a strop to determine one way or the other. I haven't put it to a strop for 2 reasons: one, I'm at my office, and rather than working I'm surfing the net (I told you at the outset, my RAD is strong right now), and more importantly I don't have a strop here; and two, I don't want to do anything to the razor until I've had a chance to discuss it with the seller. I used to have a jewler's loupe from my college geology days, but can't seem to find it. So, from my naked eye and thumbnail, it truly looks to be more of a gouge or scratch than a crack.

I'm curious though, can you tell any problems with a razor from the sound it makes when stropping on linen?

The picture quality isn't good but I'm not convinced that it's a crack.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

The picture quality isn't good but I'm not convinced that it's a crack.

Yeah, pics with my phone and all that...but I think I concur.

And, by the way, thank all of you for your thoughts. I appreciate them.

Solid items will have a ringing tone to them when tapped, or scraped, when they are cracked or otherwise flawed, the sound/tone will be dull, or non existent. Fine pottery will go "tink" or "thunk" cast iron will ring like a bell, or "blat" like a rock dropped on your shoe.

I am not convinced it is a crack either. The pic's are just not definitive. Was the razor labeled as NOS on the auction page?
I know the seller you are referencing and his discriptions are usually very clear and he does have a huge range of very nice straight razors and other items with many positive transactions. His auctions are very clear as to whether returns are accepted or not accepted.