Hi from San Francisco Bay Area everyone! I've been serving in the US Coast Guard for nearly 20 years and just started using a straight razor. After about 6 weeks I feel like i'm stropping better and I'm getting the smoothest shaves of my life..although I'm still pretty slow, averaging about 35-40 minutes from start to finish.
I just got my first SR for Christmas (5/8 Larkin), and since then I've gotten the bug pretty bad. I'm trying to be patient, but I've already picked up a few antique store finds and I'm window shopping for everything I'll need to do full restorations. In January I found out that my dad had an old SR from his grandfather (Wagner & Lange 6/8). I've since had the Wanger & Lange honed from a reputable (at least according to his feedback) vendor and It just doesn't shave as nice as the Larkin.
Anyway, I'm glad this forum exists, I'm about to make a post to see if anyone can offer info on the "Warranted" "Cast Steel" razor I picked up today.
-CWOMG