We know the standard guide to dating a Filarmonica.
But I just went through it with my razor, and I can't seem to date it.
Assistance appreciated. My photos are below and my notes are below the photos.
I'm slowly getting the scratches polished out.
Sorry for the blurry photos. On the tang, the words are in a straight line, not curved. Filarmonic at the top line, the Doble Temple below, in the middle line and then at the bottom is the name Jose etc and also written in a straight line.
The Lyre is to the left and the number 14 is rotated ninety degrees from the writing. I suppose you'd say the number 14 is vertical.
I've gone through the standard identification process, but no luck.
Ok, so I know my razor is 1959 or later, as it has Made in Spain on the back
We can find three varieties of the "Special" model:
- The spike shows "José Montserrat Pou" curved with the eagle, and the n ° 14 in vertical.
- The spike shows "Imperial". "Jose Montserrat Pou" straight and nº14 horizontal with the lyre.
- The spike shows "José Montserrat Pou" curved with "Philharmonic" straight, and the n ° 14 in vertical.
They also have the golden musical seal "Special / Philharmonic" on the sheet.
It does not say Special, and nowhere says Imperial, so I can skip to Double Temple below:
The original Double Temple.
Spike similar to the Special, with "José Montserrat Pou" curved with "Philharmonic" straight, and the n ° 14 in vertical. It has a distinct golden stamp on the sheet, showing the initials "JMP" in the center. Later the initials will be replaced by the lira.
But nope, it is not the one described above, as the Jose name is not curved, it is straight.
The limited edition "Medallón Taurino":
They are DT 13s with 6 subjects related to bullfighting:
Banderillas, Capote, Thrust, Catch, Crutch and Rejoneo
The "Sub Zero" is a DT with a special treatment of the leaf.
Nope, none of the above. So onward to see if it is a second generation
Second generation: 1967-1979
New scales, golden seals and different brands in the spikes characterize this era.
The primers in the spike follow the following uniform style: nº in horizontal with the lyre and (from top to bottom in horizontal straight) "Jose Montserrat Pou", model and "Philharmonic".
Nope, not the one above, as Jose is not at the top. The word Philarmonic is at the top. The name Jose is at the very bottom.
The Special For Hard Beards replaces the Special, with laser primer and a rubber on the spike.
The DT continues to be the flagship of the brand.
4 new models appear:
- TRIDUR EPBD: trivalent chromium to avoid corrosion. More difficult to sharpen. The model on the sheet as in the EPBD.
- Novodur: third pin (stabilizer) in the grips.
- Special for hair cutting
- INOX: DT stainless steel.
It is none of the above.
And it is not third or fourth generation as those generations no longer have the Jose name on them. The razor does have the Jose name on it, so it has to be first or second generation.
Puzzling.
Third generation : José Montserrat Pou died in the late 70's-early 80's. His son took over the company, apparently continued selling the old stock.
In 1985 barberas razors were banned in Spanish barbershops, which decreased the demand and with the disappearance of the founder directly affected production.
The key to identifying this era is the disappearance of the name "Jose Montserrat Pou" from the spike. These are the "Gold Seal".
Fourth generation : the son of JMP dies shortly after his father and his daughter takes over. The company closed shortly after in 1990.
The steel comes from Pakistan, of inferior quality.
No marks on the spike; only "FILARMONICA -DOBLE TEMPLE" on the sheet
Some in the "Gold Seal" box, others simply in plastic cases
But I just went through it with my razor, and I can't seem to date it.
Assistance appreciated. My photos are below and my notes are below the photos.
I'm slowly getting the scratches polished out.
Sorry for the blurry photos. On the tang, the words are in a straight line, not curved. Filarmonic at the top line, the Doble Temple below, in the middle line and then at the bottom is the name Jose etc and also written in a straight line.
The Lyre is to the left and the number 14 is rotated ninety degrees from the writing. I suppose you'd say the number 14 is vertical.
I've gone through the standard identification process, but no luck.
First generation: 1915-1967 .
The versions prior to 1959 do not have "Made in Spain / Made in Spain" on the back of the spike.
The versions prior to 1959 do not have "Made in Spain / Made in Spain" on the back of the spike.
Ok, so I know my razor is 1959 or later, as it has Made in Spain on the back
We can find three varieties of the "Special" model:
- The spike shows "José Montserrat Pou" curved with the eagle, and the n ° 14 in vertical.
- The spike shows "Imperial". "Jose Montserrat Pou" straight and nº14 horizontal with the lyre.
- The spike shows "José Montserrat Pou" curved with "Philharmonic" straight, and the n ° 14 in vertical.
They also have the golden musical seal "Special / Philharmonic" on the sheet.
The original Double Temple.
Spike similar to the Special, with "José Montserrat Pou" curved with "Philharmonic" straight, and the n ° 14 in vertical. It has a distinct golden stamp on the sheet, showing the initials "JMP" in the center. Later the initials will be replaced by the lira.
The limited edition "Medallón Taurino":
They are DT 13s with 6 subjects related to bullfighting:
Banderillas, Capote, Thrust, Catch, Crutch and Rejoneo
The "Sub Zero" is a DT with a special treatment of the leaf.
Second generation: 1967-1979
New scales, golden seals and different brands in the spikes characterize this era.
The primers in the spike follow the following uniform style: nº in horizontal with the lyre and (from top to bottom in horizontal straight) "Jose Montserrat Pou", model and "Philharmonic".
The Special For Hard Beards replaces the Special, with laser primer and a rubber on the spike.
The DT continues to be the flagship of the brand.
4 new models appear:
- TRIDUR EPBD: trivalent chromium to avoid corrosion. More difficult to sharpen. The model on the sheet as in the EPBD.
- Novodur: third pin (stabilizer) in the grips.
- Special for hair cutting
- INOX: DT stainless steel.
And it is not third or fourth generation as those generations no longer have the Jose name on them. The razor does have the Jose name on it, so it has to be first or second generation.
Puzzling.
Third generation : José Montserrat Pou died in the late 70's-early 80's. His son took over the company, apparently continued selling the old stock.
In 1985 barberas razors were banned in Spanish barbershops, which decreased the demand and with the disappearance of the founder directly affected production.
The key to identifying this era is the disappearance of the name "Jose Montserrat Pou" from the spike. These are the "Gold Seal".
Fourth generation : the son of JMP dies shortly after his father and his daughter takes over. The company closed shortly after in 1990.
The steel comes from Pakistan, of inferior quality.
No marks on the spike; only "FILARMONICA -DOBLE TEMPLE" on the sheet
Some in the "Gold Seal" box, others simply in plastic cases