I made a special trip to Boston to the Art of Shaving on Newbury Street. I got an excellent straight razor shave from a gentleman named Jose and also picked up my Stainless Steel scales Theirs-lessard Razor along with a Pure Badger brush and a strop from TL as well. I got the full size kit in the lemon scent. I look forward to using these products and learning the skill of shaving now that I have a razor. They said that the stainless scale razors that have recently been received are shave ready. After a little stropping as advised. But with the pointers I got from the staff there and the endless help and advice that I have read on this forum I have the confidence to move forward and use my razor with less fear of lopping my nose or ear off.