I think maybe I neglected to do the introduction and jumped right into posting. So, engineering academic type with right brain tendencies and a relentless need to understand the "why" and not just the "how". As likely comes across in my posts.

Years and years (and years) of electrics and multiblades. Months of DE. And finally, proud owner of a Ralf Aust blade (bought from SRD, my new place for all things shave related) and a "needs honing" McDonald from San Francisco (via eBay). Newly empowered with a set of naniwa stones and a DST 325 (from SRD, natch) and happily sharpening up various knives as a warmup to that McDonald. Which is being used at the moment as a safe practice razor (with tape on the edge). I've already "cut" myself twice while shadow shaving with it. Makes me that much more aware of the real thing.

First shave went down today and no glitches. Tomorrow ... the neck!

Crowden

PS - I can see why there's a collection bug. I'm already feeling it.