Thread: A great first experience...

I just wanted to thank everyone for the help (that they didn't know they were providing) I received from this site in getting started with a straight razor. I picked up a beautiful Filarmonica doble temple 12 from Ebay, honed it with a Norton 4/8 + Naniwa 12k SS, applied some honing compound that I use on chisels, cut a few hanging hairs at a 5, and cleaned off a two week beard off my cheeks and under chin quite easily on the first try. I kept the goatee (and a marvelous 4 month skiing mustache to go with the mad bomber hat) for now; we'll see about that stuff later.

It probably helped to have plenty of experience sharpening tools and working with stones, but I have to admit that I'd never really tried to perfect an edge to this degree. It just wouldn't be appropriate in the woodworking environment I'm accustomed to...I cannot imagine an edge that would cut a hanging hair in place would survive first contact with grainy, abrasive wood. It was a learning experience for sure.

Also, super badgers and trumper soaps and lotions and a cut-you-if-you-look-at-it-wrong razor now adorn my limited counterspace in the bathroom. The girlfriend is suppressing her annoyance only because I'm actually somewhat clean shaven for once. Hopefully that lasts because I think, like many of you, that I am hooked.

As a connoisseur of fine quality and a truly obsessive pursuant of the best equipment for any job, I am curious as to folks' experience with this particular razor and razors of similar design. Can anyone recommend any similar-tier razors to keep an eye out for so that I'm not down for the count if this one meets the faucet or gets borrowed to open a letter?

Research pays! Thanks again!