[Mike_ratliff]

I recently spent a few hours playing with a couple of The newer released Filarmonicas from ClassicShaving, so I figured I'd write a review.

I Recieved the first Filarmonica earlier this week from a member who needed some honing, My first impression was a good one, the razor although plain, was well made, it had a good heft to it, the pins were nice and tight, and the blade was perfectly centered in wide black plastic scales with a 3 pin design.
The edge of the razor wasn't perfectly smooth, and the bevel looked to be set at 20+ degrees, much too steep for shaving.
I checked the blade for warping, and was pleased to see that it sat perfectly flat on my hone.
I taped the spine, and proceeded to set a new bevel, and clean up the edge on my 1200 grit hone. This proceeded quickly and uneventfully.
After about 20 passes, I had a nice clean edge, the bevel was even, and it was passing TPT quite well.
I progressed to my Norton 4k, and 8k, polishing the bevel as I went.
While wiping down the blade after honing off the 8k, I noticed some deformity to the back 3rd of the blade, so I went back, back honed, did some tests, and eventually decided this razor had a fatal flaw. See this thread for details

Here's where this gets good, I contacted the member, and with his permission, I contacted Classic for a replacement.
I expected to have to jump through some hoops, or wait a week for them to decide... Was I ever wrong.
I was put on the phone with a gentleman from Classic who asked for a brief description of the problem, and within a minute or two, he had arranged to send out a replacement, which I had in hand within 2 days time.
I am still stunned at the degree of excellence Classic displayed with their customer service here.

Now, the replacement razor looked to be an identical twin to the original.
Perfectly centered, well balanced, with very clean lines, and a nice smile...
I examined this razor very carefully on the request of it's new owner, and I must say, I may have to buy one of these for myself.
The new razor, had the same steep bevel as the first one, and also required a bit of edge cleanup, but nothing my 1k couldn't handle.
20 or so passes on the 1k, followed by the 4k, the 8k, my kitayama 12k, and 25 passes on 0.5 micron CrO provided a very sharp, but not exceptional edge. I'd rate it at about a 6 at this point.
I gave it 10 passes of 0.25 Diamond paste, followed by 100 passes on newspaper, which improved the edge, but it still wasn't there.
Now this is a bit of a mysterey to me, but I decided to go back to the 0.5, and was very impressed this time. 5 more passes on 0.5 and this razor was shaving very nicely. I stropped it up, and did a full 2 pass test shave. The results weren't BBS, but they were very close, a little bit of clean up under my jaw line, and on my chin, and I was happy.

The picture below is from ClassicShaving.com, it is a very good representation of these razors, including the rough factory edge, which was rather easy to clean up.


My overall impression of these razors is very good. on a scale of 1-10, I would rate it overall at a solid 7

Appearance 6 ( it's very clean, but the wide scales look different, and I didn't care for the etching on the blade)
Factory edge 4 (it was somewhat sharp, but both I handled were too steep, and would be challenging for someone inexperienced to get shave ready)
Edge retention 8 (it held up very well with my 2 pass shave, and remained very smooth right through to the end)
Honeability 5 (can be tempermental at the higher grits, took a few tries to get it from an average shaver to one I would keep.)
Balance 9.5
Form & function 9 (Once shave ready this razor was a model of form and function. The tang is more than adequate for larger hands, combined with light weight scales and a wide shank, this razor felt very natural in my hands.
Overall Value 10 (at around $120, this razor is an awesome value. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to try a larger razor, as long as they send it out to get it honed. For those with more experience honing, expect to spend a bit of time refining the edge.

[netsurfr]

Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about getting one of these...

[thebigspendur]

A superior review! Thats pretty much what I experienced when I got mine and its probably why they can be a bit touchy to hone.

[Mike_ratliff]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

A superior review! Thats pretty much what I experienced when I got mine and its probably why they can be a bit touchy to hone.

The second one had harder steel, and took a very nice edge, The steeper bevel doesn't bother me so much, because we all know the importance of setting a proper bevel. It's the refining that bothered me, it really was a tricky razor to nail down just right.
It just had a very quirky personality. Linen really didn't help the edge at all, newspaper which usually leaves my razors shaving perfectly, wasn't the best, It needed a combination, and a lot of tweaking to get it just right.
I'm not sure why, but once It was dialed in, it was smooth as any TI I've honed...

[Utopian]

I have only ever bought two new razors, a 7/8 Friodur and this one. I had pretty much the same experience as Mike with re-setting the bevel and with difficulty in finishing the edge. I ultimately got a decent edge by finishing with a 1.5" coticule followed by a 1" Thuringian. I still don't have as good of an edge on the Filly as I do on the Friodur but I still really like it.

I like the heft of the blade, I like the smile on the blade, I like the scales much better than the cheapo scales on the Friodur. I don't like the dot matrix blade etching or the half-hearted attempt at filing of jimps.

Overall, this is a great razor for the price and it makes me want to get my hands on an old Filly.

[PA23-250]

I bought one of these last week and would tend to agree with what everyone has said: lots of promise as a shaver, but needs a honemeister to have a chance at getting shave ready!

Mike, I've got some more business for you!

[Mike_ratliff]

Originally Posted by PA23-250

I bought one of these last week and would tend to agree with what everyone has said: lots of promise as a shaver, but needs a honemeister to have a chance at getting shave ready!

Mike, I've got some more business for you!

I'd be more than happy to take a look at it, and see just how refined i can get these...
I found this last one to be a refreshing challenge... I nice break from the mind numbing repetitive and predictable results of honing Wapis...

[icedog]

I appreciate greatly this review. I have been hoping to buy this same razor from CS and I am still. However, I now have a big Q. How will I know if I get one of these problematica Filarmonicas? Does CS give you an option of sending the razor to Lynn for honing before it goes to you?Will Lynn (or whomever does the honing) be sure to recognize this defect? Or perhaps I should just take a pass on the Filly and droop $120 on another edge?

Thanks,

Brad

[coachmike]

Thier customer service is awesome, if you get the honing service, the razor will be sent DIRECTLY to Lynn for honing. YOU CAN REST ASSURED HE WILL PICK UP ON ANY DEFECT BEFORE THE BLADE IS FORWARDED TO YOU!! If not you can have Mike hone it for you, and as you can see , he already knows what to look for. Hope that eases your mind.

[RayG]

Originally Posted by icedog

I appreciate greatly this review. I have been hoping to buy this same razor from CS and I am still. However, I now have a big Q. How will I know if I get one of these problematica Filarmonicas? Does CS give you an option of sending the razor to Lynn for honing before it goes to you?Will Lynn (or whomever does the honing) be sure to recognize this defect? Or perhaps I should just take a pass on the Filly and droop $120 on another edge?

Thanks,

Brad

I got one from CS, and added the honing option (by Lynn). It is one of my best shavers.

I am certain he would recognize any defect.

[Utopian]

I highly doubt that anyone is going to get a blade as defective as the one Mike described. This is a massive well made blade at a great price. It's more of a challenge to hone both because of the character of the steel and the severity of the smile (which I really like) but it is certainly do-able.

I hope that his experience doesn't scare off other people from buying this razor.

[Lynn]

I have honed a ton of these in the past couple years. The steel is a bit harder and the edge can be tricky. Overall they have been excellent shavers. The biggest problem I had on one was from a member who had taken some sand paper to it and shoulder and edge were done unevenly along with a lot of scratching just above the edge.

These are nice razors and a bit heavier than most, so if you like a little heft, it is a good choice.

Have fun,

Lynn

[They Call Me Blockhead]

I have one of these by way of Joe Chandler from his big sale a few months back. I don't think that Joe did anything other than rescale it since he offered a honing option, which I didn't take. I brought it to the MA meet and greet and asked for some honing tips from Howard, offering the Filarmonica up as a demonstration razor. 20 or so Perfect Edge passes on a cotigura and this is now the best shaver in my collection after a Dubl Duck Satinedge that is currently out for rescaling. I'm almost tempted to pick up a few more and make a rotation of Filarmonicae and Dubl Ducks (which may be a long term plan anyway).

[Utopian]

Could you elaborate on a Perfect Edge pass on a cotigura? Given the size of cotigura, is this just the equivalent of honing on an extremely narrow hone?

[icedog]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I have honed a ton of these in the past couple years. The steel is a bit harder and the edge can be tricky. Overall they have been excellent shavers. The biggest problem I had on one was from a member who had taken some sand paper to it and shoulder and edge were done unevenly along with a lot of scratching just above the edge.

These are nice razors and a bit heavier than most, so if you like a little heft, it is a good choice.

Have fun,

Lynn

Lynn (et al),

Thanks for the there-there. You can expect one from CS with my name on it.

I do like a hefty razor. I am 6'3'' with big hands. You know what they say, "Big hands, big razor".

Brad

[They Call Me Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Utopian

Could you elaborate on a Perfect Edge pass on a cotigura? Given the size of cotigura, is this just the equivalent of honing on an extremely narrow hone?

Sorry, it was a play on the name of Howard's website (theperfectedge.com). He did use more of a figure eight pattern than the X-pass that people here recommend.

[Utopian]

Got it. I missed the perfectly good joke. I thought maybe I was missing out on some fancy honing technique.

[loueedacat]

I have one of these in for honing with Lynn right now - Boy am I glad I selected that option as I read this thread! I can't wait to try this.

This is a str8 newbie question: What is the smile everyone is referring to on this blade? I haven't seen it yet since I had it sent straight from CS to Lynn. Is the blade curved a little like a scimitar, and if so, does that impact the ability to use it ambidextrously (since you use different sides of the blade when shaving lefty vs. righty)?

[Soopercat]

Mine was also honed by Lynn (thank you) fine shaver, "blade curved a little like a scimitar" not as dramatic on this particular razor but a slight curvature on the heel and point non the less. No issues at all using it with either hand in any position, even behind your head.

Kind regards,

[Tfaust]

Hmmm, mine took a few tries with the Chrome Oxide to get it shaving right, but eventually it's become a fine razor. It's easier on the face than my Henckels.