Thread: Filarmonica Doble Temple Questions

I was given this razor and I have a few questions about it. The markings on the razor read: "Filarmonica Doble Temple Jose Monserrat Pou" It also has the number 14 engraved. I am most interested in knowing if the curve to the razor's edge is part of the design or from abuse. I was only given the razor and so I have no further information on it. It does not appear to have excessive wear patterns and while it is aged, it doesn't have any rust or further evidence of neglect, at least not as far as I can tell. I am curious mainly on why it is curved, what that means, and whether I need to alter anything when I hone it or shave with it. Any and all help is appreciated.

Wellcome to SRP
It is curved because it was well loved and used to death,Let it rest in peace,Is history

That's what I was afraid of . It was given to me so I don't feel terrible about it, non-the-less it is disappointing. Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Wellcome to SRP
It is curved because it was well loved and used to death,Let it rest in peace,Is history

Amen. Filarmonica RIP.

Seriously though you could probably salvage some sort of a serviceable razor from it. It would need a lot of metal removal and a lot of time, but you might get a shaver of sorts out of it.

Regards,
Neil

Welcome to SRP. If, in your reading of SRP threads, you encounter the expression 'frown' pertaining to a razor, that FIlly is a classic example of the frown and the corresponding excessive spine wear. Condolences.

Just imagine how many shaves and consequent honings that has been through, thousands no doubt.
Someone knew what a good razor a Filly is!

Its a 14 which would have been 7/8 or 8/8 in size when it was new.

So it is badly worn now. That does not mean it goes right into the pile of letter openers and toe nail trimmers.
If one were inclined, it could most certainly be resurrected as a 4/8 or possibly a 5/8
It took years of use to get it where it is, it will take hours of hard work to make it shave again. Is it worth it? That's up to You!

I would definitely like to try my hand at restoring it, however I am new to this and wouldn't want to 'mess' this one up on a first attempt especially since I was given other 'ebay-special' razors to practice on. I'm glad to hear that while it may take some work it is still salvageable and from the sound of it, Filarmonica razors are worth the effort. My main question then becomes, how do I return it to shaving condition? Do I bread-knife it until the edge is parallel with the spine, or do I need to get a grinder to take away that much metal? Also does the excessive spine wear contribute to complications in honing that must be addressed?

I would suggest you put it in a drawer and forget you have it. After you've learned to hone some of those ebay specials come back to it. The spine wear will complicate things but tape can probably compensate for that. Bread knifing is ,IME, the nuclear option, as it makes for a lot of work to restore a bevel from a totally blunt edge.

I have done it on a couple and I speak from experience. Nowadays I would hone it in circles with the spine slightly lifted off of the hone until I got where I wanted to go. At least that way there is somewhat of a bevel. Then put tape on it and lay the spine down as in regular bevel setting. The stabilizers may need to be taken down, maybe not.

TBH, nowadays I won't bother with razors in that condition. Since it is a new pursuit for you it may be a challenge you'll enjoy taking on.

I've gotta go with Jimmy on this one. Let it go, or whats left of it.