Thread: restoring filarmonica - need advice

I picked up a good condition Filarmonica not too long ago and I need a little advice on how to restore it. In terms of the scales, what should I do? I've already unpinned the razor but I don't know how careful I have to be about cleaning the scales since it has the Filarmonica name and logo on the scales. It is already missing a little of the lettering and I don't want to make it worse.

Also I noticed that the scales almost have like built-in washers on the scales. For those of you who have done work on a fili you will know what I'm talking about but basically the inside part of the scales isn't flat, there is a washer sized bulge where the pivot pin goes, so do I still need to use washers on the inside? I will post a picture if this is confusing. Thanks.

Yes. Please do post photos.

The raised dais perform almost the same function as a Brass bearing washer

What you need to do is to look and see that they are still in good shape and not worn or warped away so that the scales are easily touching the Tang

ie: If you can still see a sliver of light between the scales and the tang you are good to go

If you feel that there is no clearance between the scales and the Tang then slip in a Bearing washer

so i restored my fair share of filys, one thing i believe is do as little as possible.... you dont want to wash out the etching of the crisp lines of the razor. Additionally most filys are pretty hollow so ruining the temper is a concern, what kind of equitment do you have? are you using a buffer or just good ol' sandpaper? another thing i try and do is not wash out the original grind lines and the beautiful satin finish they have. i also make sure to get the jimping on the razor, ive had the most luck using greaseless on a slow speed to get that and it makes it look like new again....

the scales are just like any other just avoid the logo, i made the mistake of thinking it was metal and not paint so i lost the logo on my first restoration.

best of luck brother
Fonz

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

so i restored my fair share of filys, one thing i believe is do as little as possible.... you dont want to wash out the etching of the crisp lines of the razor. Additionally most filys are pretty hollow so ruining the temper is a concern, what kind of equitment do you have? are you using a buffer or just good ol' sandpaper? another thing i try and do is not wash out the original grind lines and the beautiful satin finish they have. i also make sure to get the jimping on the razor, ive had the most luck using greaseless on a slow speed to get that and it makes it look like new again....

the scales are just like any other just avoid the logo, i made the mistake of thinking it was metal and not paint so i lost the logo on my first restoration.

best of luck brother
Fonz

Thank you dude. I have no power tools just good ol elbow grease. I unpinned the razor and started to clean it up some with w/d sandpaper, steel wool and metal polish. The razor was in pretty good condition so not too much has to be done to it, I'm going to leave some of the patina. Like you said I don't think I'm going to touch the face of the razor to make sure I don't ruin the little etch that is still there. I will post a few pictures soon.