Wow, great replies so far.

The eBay special phase is important,especially if you use them to learn to sharpen. A day will come when one of the classics (the "fine lady" Robert Lampo speaks of) comes along and will need a little work. ThateBay special will give you the background you need to rescue the find you were waiting for. The eBay specials also serve to help you find where you are headed. Your will either love working with them or decide it is all about the shave for you instead and now know to head directly for the TI and Dovo pages at Classic Shaving or KnifeCenter instead of chasing a bunch of "maybe" performers.

Owning a few classics is nice and the search is part of it. Everyone should have a good Dovo. I am keeping one of the tortoise handle Specials simply because of how nice they look. You have to own a Filarmonica as well if for no other reason than the unusual Spanish origin. It's the only razor I know of from that country and the hit the nail right on the head with their first try!
At least one TI belongs in anyones line up and probably some kind of English meat chopper from Sheffield steel.

And yes, the addiction spreads to other things as well......food for another thread I think.

I do look forward to seeing more about this. It's fun to see where we all are in this.

Thanks,
Tony