I'm outside of Portland, OR. Your thoughts parallel what limited luck I've had. Antique stores have been best so far. I don't do Ebay, which IS limiting. I'm sure that's likely the most cost effective. 'Got the Genco Fluid Steel for $15, A Shumate Barber's Deluxe for $22 (too much, but that's splitting hairs), and the Dovo Astral at an Antique show for $40 - looking almost untouched, though uncared for. While I'm no expert, it has helped to at least begin my learning on the stones. I shave with my own edges, and compare them to the edge GSSixgunner placed on the Astral (sigh). So far, the larger blades seem easier to control precisely, which makes me seek the larger, heavier blades. I'm really not gripped that badly by RAD, but am mildly out of my mind, trying to master all the skills involved, and to find which blades work best for me. I appreciate your kind help, Jimmy.