A bit at my first try.

I picked up two J R Torrey from an antique place. It is in pretty fair condition (The other has broken handles). A bit of rust, a good patina, and something that looks like celluloid damage on a spot on the spine. Everything near the cutting edge is great condition. No nicks, no rust, no pitting. The blade has a very slight curve to it. (I think I have seen it referred to as a 'smile'). (Sorry, no pics...can't find cord for phone pic transfer)

I cleaned it up a bit. I was shocked at how sharp and clean the cutting edge looked after who knows how many years. I went home to hone and found that I had stored my Japanese stones away dry. I put them down to soak but just couldn't wait any longer. I broke out my strop, stropped it up and went to see just what this baby could do!

Absolutely-freaking-stunned. It shaved! I only did the sides of my face till I get the technique down...but it worked! And I learned a couple things.
1: It could probably use a little love on the stones.
2: Even though it's not at peak sharpness, I'd say it outperformed my cartridge razor.

A big thanks to everyone and their accumulated knowledge. :rock:

So two questions before I take it to the stones. Should I flatten the 'smile' and regrind it all straight? Should I practice some more 'as-is' as the pulling/tugging feeling could be caused by my lack of technique as apposed to any dullness in the blade?

Good job!

For heaven's sake don't straighten out that smile. Many razors were created with them. That smile allows the blade to generate a slashing action with a normal draw of edge against the face....think about the slashing action of a katana vs a straight edged sword.

Now that you've gotten your first shave done, it's time to really think about honing it up if you think you're up for it. Believe it or not, it's not likely that your antique store find is not truly shave ready. Give it some hone love and see where that takes you. If you have the hone-power, hone them through at least 8k and then give it a whirl and see for yourself.