Thanks for the warm welcome and all the positive comments and encouragement.
I fully realise that I am putting the cart before the horse and the tail is wagging the dog, or is that the cart is wagging the dog or the dog is in the cart, or whatever.
I think my next step is to get the Bengall re-honed before I dunk any stones in water and get some straight shaves under my belt. I am really enjoying the wet shaving rabbit hole with the soaps and DE razors etc - only problem is that what happens with my Fatboy and Rockets etc once I get proficient with the straight and like shaving with it?
Meanwhile here is a picture of the razor that started it all, my Grandad's Bengall Imperial. These razors were imported into Australia in large numbers during the middle and early part of the 20th century. They were made in Sheffield by Thomas Cadman and Sons. The picture is before I had it honed and cleaned up - it looks good and looks even better now. Really keen to get this thing going and shave just like Grandad did, except for the fancy brushes and artisan soaps of course.
cheers
AndrewAttachment 316651