Woohoo! Just got my first good shave off a Genco razor I bought on eBay and honed myself. Notice I said first good shave I got my hone about 2 weeks ago, a DMT 8k and have been working at honing every day since. I've been frustrated quite a bit but about 4 days ago I started getting my razors shaveable but not comfortable and tonight, after hours of work, study, video watching etc. and the addition of a 1 micron pasted strop between my 8k and the .5 Cr3O2 I got a very smooth, comfortable shave. I know it could have been better because it wasn't buttery smooth as I know it can be but it was leaps and bounds over what I had been experiencing and was cause for me to celebrate. Just wanted to share to give the other newbies hope.

Ebay Genco razor $15, DMT hone $77, TM aprentice strop $35, 2 homemade balsa paddle strops $15, the feeling you get from honing your own razor and shaving using a centuries old method with a great piece of history, Priceless.