Thanks guys for the advice.

Rounding off the edge of my replacable blade was a big help for sure. No more "cuts" since. Occasional tiny nick but nothing I'd call a "cut" or "slice" like I had from that square corner on the first day.

I ended up sending Lynn a photo of my "ebay special" and he felt it was worth sharpening so that's in the mail and under way as of today.

Also appreciate the tip on the Dovo brand. I like the look of the tortoise one they make so I'll be keeping an eye out for one of those on the classifieds for sure. I kinda get the sense that this straight razor bit is one of those things where collecting razors, sharpening tools, and other accouterments is about half the kick. If I'm still hanging with it by christmas maybe I'll see if I can get the wife to go in for something even nicer. I travel a lot for work (up to your neck of the woods chief) so it would be nice to have at least one really good setup for home and one "acceptably good" one for travel eventually.

I feel like I'm well under way now. I'm barely using my multi-blade razor any more... just in the region around my big "sharp corner" gash from day 1. Even after 2 days that thing still turns the foam red around it when I lather up. Hopefully that'll heal up soon.

Again thanks for all the tips.

Charlie