This review is about the Filomatic Inox
Introduction
“Everything in shaving has already been invented”. It’s a phrase I have used on many occasions because on my journey reviewing razors, the vintage models have never disappointed me and the modern models have never really surprised me. Today we go back. Way back. We go back to a piece of Spanish history, the Filomatic Inox.
The Filomatic Inox is a brilliant concept. This razor wasn't designed to be the best razor. No. This razor was created and given away to hundreds of thousands of people in Spain to foster loyalty to the new Filomatic blade. A new razor for a new blade. Until then, blades had used a different design.
The Bassat family owned factories that produced cutting tools. Enrique Bassat opened a factory in Solingen and Samuel Bassat opened one in Barcelona. They produced razor blades there, along with other cutting tools like scissors and razors. They owned the Iberia and Sevillana brands and Palmera and Better blades.
In 1964, they signed an agreement with Perma Sharp. This company had invented a new stainless steel blade coated with Teflon and the Bassats bought the machinery to produce it in Spain under the name Filomatic.
In addition to distributing 3 million blades for people to try, they launched an advertising campaign led by Miguel Gila. This comedian, very well-known and beloved in Spanish homes, introduced the slogan: “It feels so good!” The Filomatic blade reached a 68% market share.
But there was always the threat of Gillette and so, with the help of Luis Bassat, the advertising man they had hired to promote Filomatic and grandson of the factory owners, they created the Filomatic Inox to keep customers loyal to Filomatic blades.
So, is this razor just a cheap gift to lure in unsuspecting customers? Not quite, because the razor won a design award, the Delta Gold for industrial design, in 1969. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. So, what are we left with today? A cheap toy or a competent razor? Let's investigate and see if my favorite phrase in shaving holds true.
Construction
This razor is made of plastic. Both the handle and the base plate are made of a hard but pleasant-to-the-touch plastic. The cap and the two bars (one on each side) are made of stainless steel.
I've tried to find out what kind of plastic and steel they used, but I haven't been able to find any information about it. I did find some patents that have been filed to legalize the razor. This clarified a lot about how this razor works.
I should mention that this razor doesn't come apart. The cover over the base plate is a hinged cover. On one side, it has a pivot that allows it to open like a car hood. And since it doesn't have a central thread to keep the cover pressed against the base plate, the creators of the Filomatic Inox (Álvaro Martínez and Esteban Agulló) invented a different system.
In the center of the lid is a shark-fin-like piece with a thicker end. This piece is welded to the lid. CNC machining was not yet available at that time. The lid also contains two slots that accommodate the blade guides visible on the base plate.
On the base plate, we also see three pieces of metal inside a hole. This is the lid's locking mechanism. The two parallel pieces are like clamps that grip the thick part of the shark wing and pull it down to close the lid and trap the blade.
These tweezers work because they are connected to a compressed spring. We compress the spring when we press the button at the bottom of the handle to raise the tweezers up the handle and separate them so they release the shark wing and the lid can be opened. But how does the locking system work? When we place the shark wing in the jaws of the clamps, nothing happens, but if we push the lid a little to close it, the spring is released and the lid is caught, pulled down and locked in place.
The shark wing has an angled section. Pressing the cap down pushes this angled section back on a latch until it releases. This latch is what keeps the spring compressed and ready to engage. Releasing this latch releases the spring and pulls the grippers down. There's no need to let the spring unload. You can also press the button and help position the lid using the shark fin gripping the clips, then slowly release the button until the lid is completely closed.
Here we see how the opening and closing system looks when it's in the "closed" position. The two guides separate the clamps from the hook and also form the platform where the hook engages. In the center, there's a slot where the shark fin is inserted, pushing the hook backward so it releases from the platform of the two guides. The system works perfectly. The spring still feels strong after all these years, yet it operates very smoothly. It seems like the razor was made yesterday, judging by how well this locking mechanism still works.
Material: Plastic/Stainless Steel
Total length: 107 mm
Handle length: 100 mm
Handle diameter: 12 mm (9 mm button)
Total weight: 36 gr
Lid weight: 4 gr
Cap height: 2.5 mm
Gap: 1,11 – 1,16 mm
Exposure: Neutral/Slightly positive
This razor has a great finish. The cap is made of stainless steel and has been polished. On this razor, it may have been cleaned or polished a bit more because the cap shows some marks. It looks quite good, giving it an industrial and utilitarian touch. The edges of the cap are all well finished with no sharp parts that could hurt the skin and the short edges have a chambered finish that adds a nice shine to it when you move it in the light.
The inside of the lid bears the name of the razor, Filomatic Inox.
With the lid open, we can clearly see the two bars and it's more of the same. The edges are smooth and the corners are rounded. It appears the bars are embedded in the plastic. This likely happens during the manufacturing process for plastic parts. I say "parts," but I should say "part" in singular. The base plate and handle are one single piece. The only other “loose” part I see is the button that activates the opening mechanism.
The inside of the base plate contains two longitudinal rails where the blade is clamped. The cover simply presses the blade against these two rails, immobilizing it. The clamping occurs quite close to the blade's edge and the blade’s curvature is minimal. The blade almost lies completely flat. I understand why the design won a major award. It works well, is comfortable to use, increases safety and eliminates any possibility of losing or dropping loose parts. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. What I'm about to say needs some clarification. I try to review razors consistently. I try to eliminate favoritism as much as possible. But with this razor, I'm facing a dilemma. This razor was made in the 1960s and 70s, when they didn't have the production methods we have today. It also uses a much more complex design than simply a screw thread. With that in mind, let's continue.
The tolerances on this razor leave something to be desired. The first thing you notice is the uneven blade alignment. The blade edge doesn't protrude from the cap the same distance along its length.
The distance between the bars and the base plate is also not uniform. On one side it is 2.4 mm and on the other side 2.25 mm.
Measuring the gap manually also reveals discrepancies. On one side, I measure a (nearly) consistent gap of 1.11 mm. On the other side, I can measure a gap of 1.16 mm in one corner, but in the other, I can't get 1.11 mm. That corner has a gap smaller than 1.11 mm.
I'll reiterate the point I made at the beginning of these observations. For a razor from this era, a variation of 0.1 mm or less is a spectacular manufacturing achievement! More than acceptable tolerances... for that time. If we compare it to the tolerances we find in some razors today, they're not at the same level. They're lower. We can extend this discussion to many fields where measurements determine the outcome, for example, in sports. Athletic records have been broken over the years. What was spectacular 50 years ago isn't so spectacular today if we look at the numbers objectively. This explains the score this razor receives in this category. But I can tell you that this razor is more than just that and we'll see why in the other sections.
The shape of the head and the bars reminded me a lot of another razor: the Focus Tritok. With its flat heads that secure the blade at the ends but give it very little curvature, these razors rely on the correct shaving plane to perform their task. By modifying the handle’s angle, we can determine which cutting angle we will be using. Bring the handle closer to the skin means more efficient but a more acute cutting angle. Separating the handle more gives us a reduced cutting angle with the blade more parallel to the skin. We'll look at this in more detail in the shaving section.
The bars work very well in their task of providing support, gliding smoothly and draining the collected lather. They have no grooves of any kind, they are completely smooth and only have supports at the ends, creating a continuous opening.
Score: 15
Material: 4
Finish: 4
Tolerances: 2
Head/Comb Shape: 5
Grip
Simply excellent. The handle has a very efficient shape without compromising its minimalist aesthetic. We know that grip is primarily determined by two elements: the friction of the material and its shape.
In this case, the material offers normal friction, but where it truly shines is in the uses offered by its shape. The handle has only two different textures: the square part of the main handle and the button at the bottom, which has a different diameter, creating a recess.
These two elements offer a perfect grip in all conditions. Furthermore, the square handle, aligned with the blade head, clearly indicates the blade's orientation. It's impossible for the handle to rotate around its longitudinal axis and turn in your fingers due to its (almost) flat sides. It also won't move vertically because the button acts as a pommel that can rest on your pink finger and can also be gripped with the same finger.
I've used it with the handle covered in foam and it doesn't move. The material feels great to the touch. This handle also has longitudinal ridges that add a bit more texture and tactile feedback to the fingers. It's all very comfortable. With such a secure grip and the precise alignment between the handle and the blade, the control this handle offers is outstanding. If you rotate the handle 90 degrees, you know exactly where you've turned it and where the cutting edge is located. The same is true when using a reverse grip. A very clever design element.
The head glides very smoothly. The cap, with its satin finish, well-finished edges and flat surface, allows for a smooth, rail-like glide. There's no drag, no interruptions, everything works perfectly.
Score: 20
Dry/Wet: 5
Comfort: 5
Control: 5
Head slide: 5
Handling
The razor is made mostly of plastic. This material has a low density, resulting in a very light razor at 36 grams. We can classify it as lightweight. The cap weighs just 4 grams. I usually divide the weight of the head by the total weight to get the weight distribution, but in this case, I can't (and don't want to) separate the head from the handle. What I can say is that the balance feels very good. Based on experience, I'd say the weight distribution is 25/75%.
Why do I say this? A few reasons. If I balance the razor on a finger, I can see that the pivot point is located near the head, about 70% of its total length. The sensations the razor offers when I move it also confirms that it has this weight distribution. The head feels light and doesn't restrict my movements; I only notice a slight sensation that the head is present. I notice it when I change directions suddenly. In normal use, this hardly ever happens. We make passes mostly in straight lines; we don't do Formula 1-style turns like they do in ads with a certain 5 blade razor from another brand...
Changing the blade is super easy. We press the button without having to touch the blade. We push the cover without having to touch the blade. We don't have to exert any force with our fingers near the blade. It's all very safe and easy. When you press the button, the cover opens automatically. You can lift the cover or simply turn the razor upside down so the blade pops out by gravity. To mount a blade, lift the cover, place the blade in the guides on the base plate and close the cover. Apply a little pressure to the cover and it will close automatically. If you don't want it to close automatically by the spring, you can assist it. With the blade in place, press the button to open the central clamps. Now guide the lid into position and release the button so it snaps into place smoothly. Easy, safe and keeps your fingers away from the blade without having to exert any force. One of the best safety systems I've ever seen.
Cleaning is also straightforward. The cap is completely smooth. The bars rinse very easily. The base plate only has guides for the blade and clamping which aren't in the way. The handle is also completely smooth. It's a razor that's easy to clean.
Score: 20
Balance: 5
Weight: 5
Security/Model: 5
Cleaning: 5
Shaving
This razor has a very interesting geometry. It has a fairly large gap but combined with what I perceive as neutral exposure. Perhaps slightly positive. This sensation could also be caused by the inconsistent alignment of the blade in the head. But even so, the razor is very intuitive to use. Anyone who uses this razor will be able to use it perfectly well.
There are a few ways to approach the hairs. We can use the shaving plane created when we use the shaving plane created by cap and bar but we can also ride the bar. This will give us a slightly more efficient setup. If we position the handle a bit closer to the skin we obtain a slightly bigger cutting angle and a more efficient cut. It's not an aggressive razor. The light weight helps to make each pass comfortable and nimble.
We can also change the shaving plane and use it more like the Focus Tritok. Riding the Cap: We open the handle a little more, using the wide, flat surface of the cap and reducing the blade's cutting angle. This provides a very smooth yet efficient shave due to the cap's low height. The blade always remains very close to the skin, creating a reduced but efficient cutting angle because it's so close to the skin. Another outstanding design feature. In the end, the finishing touch is very good. I get a very good result in two passes. We have the flexibility to use different angles with some margin of efficiency, but always with finesse.
The low height of the head and the flat surface of the cap also contribute to shaving all those hard-to-reach areas. Access is easy and comfortable. Horizontal passes are also very easy thanks to the wide, smooth and well-polished cap.
The Derby test did provide me with some surprising information. For my personal needs, the Derby blade isn't ideal. And I notice it perfectly with this razor. With the Filomatic Inox, the Derby's true colors show. It struggles to cut hairs and always seems to be two steps behind of where it should be. It's difficult to use. This doesn't happen with other (sharper) blades. It could be that the blade attachment isn't rigid enough to force the Derby to do its job or that the cutting angle is too big for a blade with the cutting power of a soft boiled egg.
The razor offers a comfortable shave, provided you keep in mind that the blade angle is quite straight and you're working with a large gap. If you lower the handle angle too much, you'll end up with a blade at a very open cutting angle combined with a gap of more than 1 mm. This can lead to “hairy” situations. Always use common sense.
Score: 17
Score: 5
Head Control: 5
Derby/Blade Test influences: 3
Indulgent: 4
Quality/Price
The razor is very modern considering the era in which it was created. It has a minimalist aesthetic but with shapes that serve very specific functions. I love that. When you're able to design something that works but integrate that functionality into a visually pleasing form, you've nailed it in my eyes. The different colors of plastic used also go very well with the steel of the cap. Or rather, the other way around. Steel goes very well with colors. Nowadays, many manufacturers add colors to their razors. Filomatic Inox was already doing so in the early 1970s.
Using the Filomatic Inox is also very rewarding. Many people received one as a gift and I imagine they weren't very expensive if the company wanted to use them to build customer loyalty to their blades. Like the printer manufacturers, I suppose, printers are simply a way to ensure the customer buys your cartridges. Companies lose money on printers, but they make a killing on cartridges.
But even taking all that into account, for a gift, it works wonderfully, it's beautiful, it's survived all these years, it's well-designed and it's safe. What more could you ask for from something that was conceived as a carrot on a stick for the customer? I'd like to see modern razors with half the capabilities of this one.
The value in 25 years is usually difficult to calculate because many of the razors I review of this age, did have a price when they came out. This one didn’t. I did some research on the prices these razors fetch today, though. They typically sell for around 50 euros or more if they come with their box or other accessories. It also depends on the razor's condition, but considering the construction and materials, I don't think it would be too difficult to clean, oil and polish them.
For a razor made of modest materials and from the 1970s, I think it's very reasonably priced for a collectible. Its value has held steady and even increased over the years and I don't see any reason for prices to drop. In fact, while researching prices, I found one that needed a little TLC at a price I liked, so I bought it. I hope to welcome it back soon for its cleaning, polishing and maintenance.
Could I use this razor daily and exclusively? Absolutely. It shaves well, it's lightweight, safe, easy to clean and pleasant to use... I can't see any downsides to continuous use.
Score: 20
Aesthetics: 5
Reward: 5
Value in 25: 5
Single razor: 5
Conclusion
In conclusion, I'd like to offer a few thoughts. Gillette ended up buying the Filomatic brand and its Filomatic Inox. The competition was too fierce and they decided to clip its wings. Filomatic Inox disappeared from the market. Big money defended its position, not necessarily to offer a better product to the consumer, but to protect its own interests.
The Filomatic brand was resold several times until it reached the hands of Julián Martínez, a businessman in the cutlery industry and owner of Quttin, who attempted to introduce a new Filomatic Classic. This failed spectacularly for several reasons. The model he used wasn't the original Filomatic Inox, but a clone of the R89. We all know this razor; it's competent, but nothing special. Reviving a brand who released such an iconic razor with a razor model that doesn’t even resemble it slightly was a complete disaster.
The production and finish also left much to be desired. The finishes were really poor, from burrs on the comb to chrome plating (the razor was made of chrome-plated zamac) that peeled off. The distributor they chose was Carrefour. This supermarket didn't give it a prime location in its stores and the razor didn't receive the exposure it needed to succeed.
Filomatic changed course and partnered with Dorco to bring disposable razors to market. These are generic razors that Dorco manufactures for various brands. When you use generic products that come from the same factory and simply change the name, you don't stand out in the market. That's what's happening to Filomatic today; their best-known razor is the two-blade disposable. It's a very basic product that you can buy on Amazon—50 razors for less than €12. Very basic.
My main point is how a leading brand, with good products, an effective marketing strategy and strong financial results, can disappear simply because the foundations upon which these things are built, are changed. It's about offering a product that doesn't meet the customer's needs and preferences. At a much cheaper price, yes but if it's not what the customer is looking for, it won't catch on. A cheaper price, yes but with finishing defects. A cheaper price, yes but impossible to find in any store and if you do find it, it's on the shelf near the floor, next to the bleach bottles.
It's not just about producing a good product that meets consumer needs, it's also about having a complete, well-functioning chain of design, production and distribution. In the case of Filomatic today, that doesn't exist. The original Filomatic did it better than anyone. And they sold it for money. Ironically, Luís Bassat, the marketing director of the original Filomatic and grandson of the original owners, is the honorary president of Filomatic today.
Back to the star of this review, the Filomatic Inox. I think it's a spectacular razor. I'll say it again: for an object designed to build customer loyalty with the blades, they came up with a perfect design. Back then, it was a groundbreaking razor that worked incredibly well. Even today, it still works exceptionally well and continues to break new ground with its ease of use, design, safety and materials. I liked it so much that I ended up buying one. I can't praise it enough. It truly feels amazing!
Final score: 92 points
Introduction
“Everything in shaving has already been invented”. It’s a phrase I have used on many occasions because on my journey reviewing razors, the vintage models have never disappointed me and the modern models have never really surprised me. Today we go back. Way back. We go back to a piece of Spanish history, the Filomatic Inox.
The Filomatic Inox is a brilliant concept. This razor wasn't designed to be the best razor. No. This razor was created and given away to hundreds of thousands of people in Spain to foster loyalty to the new Filomatic blade. A new razor for a new blade. Until then, blades had used a different design.
The Bassat family owned factories that produced cutting tools. Enrique Bassat opened a factory in Solingen and Samuel Bassat opened one in Barcelona. They produced razor blades there, along with other cutting tools like scissors and razors. They owned the Iberia and Sevillana brands and Palmera and Better blades.
In 1964, they signed an agreement with Perma Sharp. This company had invented a new stainless steel blade coated with Teflon and the Bassats bought the machinery to produce it in Spain under the name Filomatic.
In addition to distributing 3 million blades for people to try, they launched an advertising campaign led by Miguel Gila. This comedian, very well-known and beloved in Spanish homes, introduced the slogan: “It feels so good!” The Filomatic blade reached a 68% market share.
But there was always the threat of Gillette and so, with the help of Luis Bassat, the advertising man they had hired to promote Filomatic and grandson of the factory owners, they created the Filomatic Inox to keep customers loyal to Filomatic blades.
So, is this razor just a cheap gift to lure in unsuspecting customers? Not quite, because the razor won a design award, the Delta Gold for industrial design, in 1969. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. So, what are we left with today? A cheap toy or a competent razor? Let's investigate and see if my favorite phrase in shaving holds true.
Construction
This razor is made of plastic. Both the handle and the base plate are made of a hard but pleasant-to-the-touch plastic. The cap and the two bars (one on each side) are made of stainless steel.
I've tried to find out what kind of plastic and steel they used, but I haven't been able to find any information about it. I did find some patents that have been filed to legalize the razor. This clarified a lot about how this razor works.
I should mention that this razor doesn't come apart. The cover over the base plate is a hinged cover. On one side, it has a pivot that allows it to open like a car hood. And since it doesn't have a central thread to keep the cover pressed against the base plate, the creators of the Filomatic Inox (Álvaro Martínez and Esteban Agulló) invented a different system.
In the center of the lid is a shark-fin-like piece with a thicker end. This piece is welded to the lid. CNC machining was not yet available at that time. The lid also contains two slots that accommodate the blade guides visible on the base plate.
On the base plate, we also see three pieces of metal inside a hole. This is the lid's locking mechanism. The two parallel pieces are like clamps that grip the thick part of the shark wing and pull it down to close the lid and trap the blade.
These tweezers work because they are connected to a compressed spring. We compress the spring when we press the button at the bottom of the handle to raise the tweezers up the handle and separate them so they release the shark wing and the lid can be opened. But how does the locking system work? When we place the shark wing in the jaws of the clamps, nothing happens, but if we push the lid a little to close it, the spring is released and the lid is caught, pulled down and locked in place.
The shark wing has an angled section. Pressing the cap down pushes this angled section back on a latch until it releases. This latch is what keeps the spring compressed and ready to engage. Releasing this latch releases the spring and pulls the grippers down. There's no need to let the spring unload. You can also press the button and help position the lid using the shark fin gripping the clips, then slowly release the button until the lid is completely closed.
Here we see how the opening and closing system looks when it's in the "closed" position. The two guides separate the clamps from the hook and also form the platform where the hook engages. In the center, there's a slot where the shark fin is inserted, pushing the hook backward so it releases from the platform of the two guides. The system works perfectly. The spring still feels strong after all these years, yet it operates very smoothly. It seems like the razor was made yesterday, judging by how well this locking mechanism still works.
Material: Plastic/Stainless Steel
Total length: 107 mm
Handle length: 100 mm
Handle diameter: 12 mm (9 mm button)
Total weight: 36 gr
Lid weight: 4 gr
Cap height: 2.5 mm
Gap: 1,11 – 1,16 mm
Exposure: Neutral/Slightly positive
This razor has a great finish. The cap is made of stainless steel and has been polished. On this razor, it may have been cleaned or polished a bit more because the cap shows some marks. It looks quite good, giving it an industrial and utilitarian touch. The edges of the cap are all well finished with no sharp parts that could hurt the skin and the short edges have a chambered finish that adds a nice shine to it when you move it in the light.
The inside of the lid bears the name of the razor, Filomatic Inox.
With the lid open, we can clearly see the two bars and it's more of the same. The edges are smooth and the corners are rounded. It appears the bars are embedded in the plastic. This likely happens during the manufacturing process for plastic parts. I say "parts," but I should say "part" in singular. The base plate and handle are one single piece. The only other “loose” part I see is the button that activates the opening mechanism.
The inside of the base plate contains two longitudinal rails where the blade is clamped. The cover simply presses the blade against these two rails, immobilizing it. The clamping occurs quite close to the blade's edge and the blade’s curvature is minimal. The blade almost lies completely flat. I understand why the design won a major award. It works well, is comfortable to use, increases safety and eliminates any possibility of losing or dropping loose parts. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. What I'm about to say needs some clarification. I try to review razors consistently. I try to eliminate favoritism as much as possible. But with this razor, I'm facing a dilemma. This razor was made in the 1960s and 70s, when they didn't have the production methods we have today. It also uses a much more complex design than simply a screw thread. With that in mind, let's continue.
The tolerances on this razor leave something to be desired. The first thing you notice is the uneven blade alignment. The blade edge doesn't protrude from the cap the same distance along its length.
The distance between the bars and the base plate is also not uniform. On one side it is 2.4 mm and on the other side 2.25 mm.
Measuring the gap manually also reveals discrepancies. On one side, I measure a (nearly) consistent gap of 1.11 mm. On the other side, I can measure a gap of 1.16 mm in one corner, but in the other, I can't get 1.11 mm. That corner has a gap smaller than 1.11 mm.
I'll reiterate the point I made at the beginning of these observations. For a razor from this era, a variation of 0.1 mm or less is a spectacular manufacturing achievement! More than acceptable tolerances... for that time. If we compare it to the tolerances we find in some razors today, they're not at the same level. They're lower. We can extend this discussion to many fields where measurements determine the outcome, for example, in sports. Athletic records have been broken over the years. What was spectacular 50 years ago isn't so spectacular today if we look at the numbers objectively. This explains the score this razor receives in this category. But I can tell you that this razor is more than just that and we'll see why in the other sections.
The shape of the head and the bars reminded me a lot of another razor: the Focus Tritok. With its flat heads that secure the blade at the ends but give it very little curvature, these razors rely on the correct shaving plane to perform their task. By modifying the handle’s angle, we can determine which cutting angle we will be using. Bring the handle closer to the skin means more efficient but a more acute cutting angle. Separating the handle more gives us a reduced cutting angle with the blade more parallel to the skin. We'll look at this in more detail in the shaving section.
The bars work very well in their task of providing support, gliding smoothly and draining the collected lather. They have no grooves of any kind, they are completely smooth and only have supports at the ends, creating a continuous opening.
Score: 15
Material: 4
Finish: 4
Tolerances: 2
Head/Comb Shape: 5
Grip
Simply excellent. The handle has a very efficient shape without compromising its minimalist aesthetic. We know that grip is primarily determined by two elements: the friction of the material and its shape.
In this case, the material offers normal friction, but where it truly shines is in the uses offered by its shape. The handle has only two different textures: the square part of the main handle and the button at the bottom, which has a different diameter, creating a recess.
These two elements offer a perfect grip in all conditions. Furthermore, the square handle, aligned with the blade head, clearly indicates the blade's orientation. It's impossible for the handle to rotate around its longitudinal axis and turn in your fingers due to its (almost) flat sides. It also won't move vertically because the button acts as a pommel that can rest on your pink finger and can also be gripped with the same finger.
I've used it with the handle covered in foam and it doesn't move. The material feels great to the touch. This handle also has longitudinal ridges that add a bit more texture and tactile feedback to the fingers. It's all very comfortable. With such a secure grip and the precise alignment between the handle and the blade, the control this handle offers is outstanding. If you rotate the handle 90 degrees, you know exactly where you've turned it and where the cutting edge is located. The same is true when using a reverse grip. A very clever design element.
The head glides very smoothly. The cap, with its satin finish, well-finished edges and flat surface, allows for a smooth, rail-like glide. There's no drag, no interruptions, everything works perfectly.
Score: 20
Dry/Wet: 5
Comfort: 5
Control: 5
Head slide: 5
Handling
The razor is made mostly of plastic. This material has a low density, resulting in a very light razor at 36 grams. We can classify it as lightweight. The cap weighs just 4 grams. I usually divide the weight of the head by the total weight to get the weight distribution, but in this case, I can't (and don't want to) separate the head from the handle. What I can say is that the balance feels very good. Based on experience, I'd say the weight distribution is 25/75%.
Why do I say this? A few reasons. If I balance the razor on a finger, I can see that the pivot point is located near the head, about 70% of its total length. The sensations the razor offers when I move it also confirms that it has this weight distribution. The head feels light and doesn't restrict my movements; I only notice a slight sensation that the head is present. I notice it when I change directions suddenly. In normal use, this hardly ever happens. We make passes mostly in straight lines; we don't do Formula 1-style turns like they do in ads with a certain 5 blade razor from another brand...
Changing the blade is super easy. We press the button without having to touch the blade. We push the cover without having to touch the blade. We don't have to exert any force with our fingers near the blade. It's all very safe and easy. When you press the button, the cover opens automatically. You can lift the cover or simply turn the razor upside down so the blade pops out by gravity. To mount a blade, lift the cover, place the blade in the guides on the base plate and close the cover. Apply a little pressure to the cover and it will close automatically. If you don't want it to close automatically by the spring, you can assist it. With the blade in place, press the button to open the central clamps. Now guide the lid into position and release the button so it snaps into place smoothly. Easy, safe and keeps your fingers away from the blade without having to exert any force. One of the best safety systems I've ever seen.
Cleaning is also straightforward. The cap is completely smooth. The bars rinse very easily. The base plate only has guides for the blade and clamping which aren't in the way. The handle is also completely smooth. It's a razor that's easy to clean.
Score: 20
Balance: 5
Weight: 5
Security/Model: 5
Cleaning: 5
Shaving
This razor has a very interesting geometry. It has a fairly large gap but combined with what I perceive as neutral exposure. Perhaps slightly positive. This sensation could also be caused by the inconsistent alignment of the blade in the head. But even so, the razor is very intuitive to use. Anyone who uses this razor will be able to use it perfectly well.
There are a few ways to approach the hairs. We can use the shaving plane created when we use the shaving plane created by cap and bar but we can also ride the bar. This will give us a slightly more efficient setup. If we position the handle a bit closer to the skin we obtain a slightly bigger cutting angle and a more efficient cut. It's not an aggressive razor. The light weight helps to make each pass comfortable and nimble.
We can also change the shaving plane and use it more like the Focus Tritok. Riding the Cap: We open the handle a little more, using the wide, flat surface of the cap and reducing the blade's cutting angle. This provides a very smooth yet efficient shave due to the cap's low height. The blade always remains very close to the skin, creating a reduced but efficient cutting angle because it's so close to the skin. Another outstanding design feature. In the end, the finishing touch is very good. I get a very good result in two passes. We have the flexibility to use different angles with some margin of efficiency, but always with finesse.
The low height of the head and the flat surface of the cap also contribute to shaving all those hard-to-reach areas. Access is easy and comfortable. Horizontal passes are also very easy thanks to the wide, smooth and well-polished cap.
The Derby test did provide me with some surprising information. For my personal needs, the Derby blade isn't ideal. And I notice it perfectly with this razor. With the Filomatic Inox, the Derby's true colors show. It struggles to cut hairs and always seems to be two steps behind of where it should be. It's difficult to use. This doesn't happen with other (sharper) blades. It could be that the blade attachment isn't rigid enough to force the Derby to do its job or that the cutting angle is too big for a blade with the cutting power of a soft boiled egg.
The razor offers a comfortable shave, provided you keep in mind that the blade angle is quite straight and you're working with a large gap. If you lower the handle angle too much, you'll end up with a blade at a very open cutting angle combined with a gap of more than 1 mm. This can lead to “hairy” situations. Always use common sense.
Score: 17
Score: 5
Head Control: 5
Derby/Blade Test influences: 3
Indulgent: 4
Quality/Price
The razor is very modern considering the era in which it was created. It has a minimalist aesthetic but with shapes that serve very specific functions. I love that. When you're able to design something that works but integrate that functionality into a visually pleasing form, you've nailed it in my eyes. The different colors of plastic used also go very well with the steel of the cap. Or rather, the other way around. Steel goes very well with colors. Nowadays, many manufacturers add colors to their razors. Filomatic Inox was already doing so in the early 1970s.
Using the Filomatic Inox is also very rewarding. Many people received one as a gift and I imagine they weren't very expensive if the company wanted to use them to build customer loyalty to their blades. Like the printer manufacturers, I suppose, printers are simply a way to ensure the customer buys your cartridges. Companies lose money on printers, but they make a killing on cartridges.
But even taking all that into account, for a gift, it works wonderfully, it's beautiful, it's survived all these years, it's well-designed and it's safe. What more could you ask for from something that was conceived as a carrot on a stick for the customer? I'd like to see modern razors with half the capabilities of this one.
The value in 25 years is usually difficult to calculate because many of the razors I review of this age, did have a price when they came out. This one didn’t. I did some research on the prices these razors fetch today, though. They typically sell for around 50 euros or more if they come with their box or other accessories. It also depends on the razor's condition, but considering the construction and materials, I don't think it would be too difficult to clean, oil and polish them.
For a razor made of modest materials and from the 1970s, I think it's very reasonably priced for a collectible. Its value has held steady and even increased over the years and I don't see any reason for prices to drop. In fact, while researching prices, I found one that needed a little TLC at a price I liked, so I bought it. I hope to welcome it back soon for its cleaning, polishing and maintenance.
Could I use this razor daily and exclusively? Absolutely. It shaves well, it's lightweight, safe, easy to clean and pleasant to use... I can't see any downsides to continuous use.
Score: 20
Aesthetics: 5
Reward: 5
Value in 25: 5
Single razor: 5
Conclusion
In conclusion, I'd like to offer a few thoughts. Gillette ended up buying the Filomatic brand and its Filomatic Inox. The competition was too fierce and they decided to clip its wings. Filomatic Inox disappeared from the market. Big money defended its position, not necessarily to offer a better product to the consumer, but to protect its own interests.
The Filomatic brand was resold several times until it reached the hands of Julián Martínez, a businessman in the cutlery industry and owner of Quttin, who attempted to introduce a new Filomatic Classic. This failed spectacularly for several reasons. The model he used wasn't the original Filomatic Inox, but a clone of the R89. We all know this razor; it's competent, but nothing special. Reviving a brand who released such an iconic razor with a razor model that doesn’t even resemble it slightly was a complete disaster.
The production and finish also left much to be desired. The finishes were really poor, from burrs on the comb to chrome plating (the razor was made of chrome-plated zamac) that peeled off. The distributor they chose was Carrefour. This supermarket didn't give it a prime location in its stores and the razor didn't receive the exposure it needed to succeed.
Filomatic changed course and partnered with Dorco to bring disposable razors to market. These are generic razors that Dorco manufactures for various brands. When you use generic products that come from the same factory and simply change the name, you don't stand out in the market. That's what's happening to Filomatic today; their best-known razor is the two-blade disposable. It's a very basic product that you can buy on Amazon—50 razors for less than €12. Very basic.
My main point is how a leading brand, with good products, an effective marketing strategy and strong financial results, can disappear simply because the foundations upon which these things are built, are changed. It's about offering a product that doesn't meet the customer's needs and preferences. At a much cheaper price, yes but if it's not what the customer is looking for, it won't catch on. A cheaper price, yes but with finishing defects. A cheaper price, yes but impossible to find in any store and if you do find it, it's on the shelf near the floor, next to the bleach bottles.
It's not just about producing a good product that meets consumer needs, it's also about having a complete, well-functioning chain of design, production and distribution. In the case of Filomatic today, that doesn't exist. The original Filomatic did it better than anyone. And they sold it for money. Ironically, Luís Bassat, the marketing director of the original Filomatic and grandson of the original owners, is the honorary president of Filomatic today.
Back to the star of this review, the Filomatic Inox. I think it's a spectacular razor. I'll say it again: for an object designed to build customer loyalty with the blades, they came up with a perfect design. Back then, it was a groundbreaking razor that worked incredibly well. Even today, it still works exceptionally well and continues to break new ground with its ease of use, design, safety and materials. I liked it so much that I ended up buying one. I can't praise it enough. It truly feels amazing!
Final score: 92 points
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