So, I shaved with my new 5/8 Special Coiffeur, and it ploughed through my beard like a dream! I definitely felt the difference in comparison to my full hollows. The edge is stiffer and it cuts my tough beard without flexing whatsoever. The blade is heavier than any of my 5/8s which I like very much, and it has great balance. The leather sheath is beautiful and very practical. There were no cosmetics issues of any kind. What a great buy, especially given the price.

The Oak Wing sadly was a big disappointment, I never shaved with it and returned it to the seller. Upon my inspection of the blade, the tip near the spine where the notch is was crooked, slanting down at about a 30 degree angle instead of being perfectly straight as it appears in photos. This probably doesn't affect the edge and is purely cosmetic, but nonetheless, for that kind of money it should have been perfect. Touching the blade on the ball of my thumb it was also evident that the factory edge wasn't shave ready, as some spots of the edge didn't seem keen at all ( no grab) .This I gather is usually hit and miss with most razors. The seller whom I have been dealing with for many years kindly refunded me that razor. Excellent customer service as always.

A grelot like 1/4 grind is still on my rad hit list.