First Blade Purchase...Filarmonica Novodur 13

Hello all,

My big Christmas present this year was the SRD Ralf Aust 5/8 (kit with 3" black latigo strop). Since my first shave with it, I am friggin' hooked. Most of my free time is now spent reading about all things straight razor shaving.

One day, I stumbled upon people saying good things about this Spanish razor called the Filarmonica. I was intrigued by the colorful scales that they were available in, but put off by the ridiculous prices for NOS versions. My goal was to find a well used, but functional version for under a hundred bucks.

Found one! My "new" Filarmonica Novodur 13 arrived yesterday.
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Spent the last day or so cleaning it up without going crazy. I kind of like that is shows some wear. I liken it to a vintage guitar with a few dings and scratches. Gives it some "mojo". :cool:

Here's how it looks now.
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I'm looking forward to giving it a test drive as soon as I run it over some chrom ox, and give it a good stropping. Very excited!!

beautiful blade! Congrats!
Don't hesitate to send her out for honing, if the 1st shave doesn't come through for you.

Thank you sir! I certainly will get it over to Mr. Abrams if it needs more work than I can currently provide.

Very nice - the Novodur's are superb razors, as mentioned, make sure it has a shave ready edge.

I really enjoy these blades, the razors, for me at least, feel like they almost stick to your face, very smooth, close shaving razors IMO - congrats!

Oh man, getting more and more excited to give her a spin!

You've made a good start to straight razor shaving. My first two straights were Gold Dollars that I was messing around with and practicing honing on. Fili Novodor's are nice blades; I now own a 14 and 3 13s. They arguably have the nicest scales for Filis because they have 3 pins. They take a nice edge too.