It's that steep learning curve that has my more interested in the restoration side (if not entirely to shave-readiness just yet) than the shaving side ;-P I have a couple of spots that are prone to bleed even with my safety razors (although I've narrowed down my blade selection to those that seem to work for me) - I'd hate to think what I could do with a straight! However, what I will be working on is a left-handed shave with the DE safeties - that fills quite unnatural ATM and would be good to get that sorted safely, to hopefully ease the straight shave learning curve a little (tricky with the different grip, etc I know). I have a history of doing things opposite to most - fly-tying before learning to cast for instance (I still can't cast lol) I did see johnmrson in the Wiki, and have a watch on a eBay honing service (not sure if its the one you mention) who I believe is in the Barossa,

Thanks for your great advice Havachat, I'll search out some MAAS but I know Autosol is easy to get, and I can scrounge some Brasso. I did wonder about the HHT, something that sharp would seem to be ultra fragile too? My Bengall has a nick/chip in the blade edge (small but very obvious, needs a coarser 1k? hone), the Taylor seems to have almost none, but there are a couple of points that feel like are tiny nicks, I'm thinking it shouldn't need much honing to see right, that might be the one I get sorted first, its in very good condition, whereas the Bengall needs repinning (just waiting on the washers to arrive from the USA). The reason I have low expectations for the GD is the price I paid - $4 *including* shipping. I know they have a bad reputation for quality control, but have read too that are made of decent steel and can be made into good shavers. Unlike the Chinese cast steel of the $1 ball-peen hammer I bought for repinning - I've never seen worse craftsmanship (but what do you expect for a buck?). There was a couple of lovely vintage BP hammers at the market - but $15 I couldn't justisfy for tapping a bit of brass rod once in a blue moon. But I digress!

Cheers,
quiet1