Razor: Filarmónica 14 Doble Temple (8/8, extra full hollow, red scales)
Brush: Executive Shaving Medium Jock
Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz Tabac Original
I bought this razor a couple weeks ago and I’m planning to use it for Sample Straightember. It came in what looked like good used condition. The edge was very blunt, though, to the point where I was worried the blade might have an issue. Tonight, I finally had the time to hone it, and miraculously, the blade took a sharp edge cutting arm hair within a few strokes on the 3k grit hone. I’ve never had an edge go from completely blunt to cutting hair so effortlessly.
A few strokes on the 10k hone and a few laps on loaded denim, canvas, and leather later, the shave was love at first shave. This razor feels lighter than my Frio 14 but has that same “wiping lather off with a feather” - feeling.
I do wonder how this edge ever got this blunt. The razor was clearly stored in a dry place as there is no rust whatsoever, so it doesn’t seem like corrosion is to blame. I can’t imagine the previous owner got a shave with it in the condition it was (cutting zero arm hair).
First. I’m envious that you are able to continue Days of Weckoning and use new razors this month. I’m limited to one shave per day and this baby arrived yesterday after spending 3 weeks in US Customs.
Because the edge came back quickly on your 3K stone, I would guess that the bevel was already set, and that the previous owner killed the edge so that the razor would not hurt someone during handling. And, perhaps, the previous owner killed the edge because he assumed that the new owner (you) would want to put their edge on it anyway.
As you know from using my Fili 14, that “wiping lather off with a feather” feeling comes from an edge without geometry issues. You can tell if your edge has issues if parts of the blade shave well and others don’t; leaving you with an uneven shave.
From the sound of it, you’ve got another winner! Fili 14s are just stunning when everything is just right.
First. I’m envious that you are able to continue Days of Weckoning and use new razors this month. I’m limited to one shave per day
You too can add a second luxury shave while doing days of Weckoning, it’s explicitly sanctioned by chief djustice u/EldrormR
That Koraat is gorgeous! Beautiful scales and I like that file work, too.
Yes, the bevel was well set. I did the Sharpie thing, and the hone cleared a consistent looking (judging with a jeweller’s loupe, not a microscope, unfortunately) very fine line along the edge without any effort. I hadn’t thought of the possibility that the edge had been killed. Your explanation fits perfectly, I think you’re right.
From the sound of it, you’ve got another winner!
I think so! It’s not as nice as yours by a long shot, but the blade is in great shape. I’ll take some pictures when I have a moment to show it. I’m looking forward to using it every day during Sample Straightember.
Fili 14s are just stunning when everything is just right.
You too can add a second luxury shave while doing days of Weckoning
I could do that too by doing a very early morning shave and an evening shave, but my pattern of morning shaves are ingrained. I don’t generally think about shaving in the evening, and this would be over shaving for me. I might see if I can figure out a way in November, though. It would be fun to mess with worbx’s statistics.
judging with a jeweller’s loupe, not a microscope
The microscope is a luxury. I’ve done 15 years of knife sharpening with a loupe that became unused after I developed a sense of what’s happening at the edge by feeling it, looking at its reflection, and by testing.
I’m curious to read about your Koraat after AA!
I’ll be doing a Sample Straightember; primarily using my new Koraat, my new (to me) Tanifuji, and an Iwaski that hasn’t made its way across the pond yet. I’m looking forward to using and commenting about these razors!
Yes, a fun month ahead. Since it will also be my Settantesimo September I think I will extend September to 35 days (sorry Pope Gregory) and complete 70 uses of SV 70th Anniversary.
Second Luxury Shave with new Fili 14
I bought this razor a couple weeks ago and I’m planning to use it for Sample Straightember. It came in what looked like good used condition. The edge was very blunt, though, to the point where I was worried the blade might have an issue. Tonight, I finally had the time to hone it, and miraculously, the blade took a sharp edge cutting arm hair within a few strokes on the 3k grit hone. I’ve never had an edge go from completely blunt to cutting hair so effortlessly.
A few strokes on the 10k hone and a few laps on loaded denim, canvas, and leather later, the shave was love at first shave. This razor feels lighter than my Frio 14 but has that same “wiping lather off with a feather” - feeling.
I do wonder how this edge ever got this blunt. The razor was clearly stored in a dry place as there is no rust whatsoever, so it doesn’t seem like corrosion is to blame. I can’t imagine the previous owner got a shave with it in the condition it was (cutting zero arm hair).
Pinging @gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social for his opinion.
First. I’m envious that you are able to continue Days of Weckoning and use new razors this month. I’m limited to one shave per day and this baby arrived yesterday after spending 3 weeks in US Customs.
Because the edge came back quickly on your 3K stone, I would guess that the bevel was already set, and that the previous owner killed the edge so that the razor would not hurt someone during handling. And, perhaps, the previous owner killed the edge because he assumed that the new owner (you) would want to put their edge on it anyway.
As you know from using my Fili 14, that “wiping lather off with a feather” feeling comes from an edge without geometry issues. You can tell if your edge has issues if parts of the blade shave well and others don’t; leaving you with an uneven shave.
From the sound of it, you’ve got another winner! Fili 14s are just stunning when everything is just right.
Congratulations to your razor! Really beautiful!
Thank you! Ulrik at Koraat is a master. The quality of his work is exceptional.
You too can add a second luxury shave while doing days of Weckoning, it’s explicitly sanctioned by chief djustice u/EldrormR
That Koraat is gorgeous! Beautiful scales and I like that file work, too.
Yes, the bevel was well set. I did the Sharpie thing, and the hone cleared a consistent looking (judging with a jeweller’s loupe, not a microscope, unfortunately) very fine line along the edge without any effort. I hadn’t thought of the possibility that the edge had been killed. Your explanation fits perfectly, I think you’re right.
I think so! It’s not as nice as yours by a long shot, but the blade is in great shape. I’ll take some pictures when I have a moment to show it. I’m looking forward to using it every day during Sample Straightember.
💯.
I’m curious to read about your Koraat after AA!
I could do that too by doing a very early morning shave and an evening shave, but my pattern of morning shaves are ingrained. I don’t generally think about shaving in the evening, and this would be over shaving for me. I might see if I can figure out a way in November, though. It would be fun to mess with worbx’s statistics.
The microscope is a luxury. I’ve done 15 years of knife sharpening with a loupe that became unused after I developed a sense of what’s happening at the edge by feeling it, looking at its reflection, and by testing.
I’ll be doing a
SampleStraightember; primarily using my new Koraat, my new (to me) Tanifuji, and an Iwaski that hasn’t made its way across the pond yet. I’m looking forward to using and commenting about these razors!Yay, we will be legion 😆
Busy September, I see! (and the good kind of busy!) I’m looking forward to your posts
Yes, a fun month ahead. Since it will also be my Settantesimo September I think I will extend September to 35 days (sorry Pope Gregory) and complete 70 uses of SV 70th Anniversary.
Congrats to your new razor!
Thanks!
I’ve been wanting to get myself a Fili 14 for a year now 😅
pinging @gcgallant